If you're thinking of taking a Fall color excursion, take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and head towards Mile Post 294, near Blowing Rock, NC. That's where you'll find an outstanding doggie destination: the Moses Cone Memorial Park. On 3500 acres of grounds sits a mansion with a breath-taking view, surrounded by 25 miles of carriage trails which are used for horse trail rides, but the trails are also very walkable. (The mansion is now a crafts center run by the Southern Highland Crafts Guild.)
Down below the mansion is the picturesque Bass Lake, which can be reached from Rt. 221 south, right outside of Blowing Rock. Bass Lake has a wonderful flat paved trail all around it, so it makes for an ideal walk or jog with your dog. In the Fall, the lake is surrounded by red, orange, and yellow, and it is quite spectacular to look up the mountain at the white mansion, set off by the vivid autumn colors. Carriage trails loop around the lake for longer hiking opportunities.
It's hard to believe, but there is another wonderful park just minutes away from Moses Cone, Julian Price Park, also accessible off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here, too, you'll find a lake with a trail around it. It is more rustic and uneven than the one around Bass Lake, though, so wear good hiking shoes or boots for this one. Julian Price Park is no slouch for recreational activities, either: It offers 3900 acres with hiking trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, trout fishing, and boat rental.
One or both of these parks make an outing you and your doggie will not soon forget. You could easily spend a day or more doing these two parks. When you tire of the natural beauty, you can always head into the quaint town of Blowing Rock, where numerous shops, galleries and restaurants await you.
For more information about Moses Cone and Julian Price, visit the CANINE CRUISIN' page.