Mount Jefferson State Natural Area

From anywhere in the town of Boone, one just has to look due north to see Howard's Knob. At 4,396 feet above sea level and over 1,000 feet above downtown Boone, North Carolina, the mountain serves as one of the more recognizable landmarks in the High Country.Parking And Public Transportation At Howard KnobThe park is open April to October and parking is free at the top. There are few parking spaces so you might have the park on the shoulder, but proximity to the views is still very close by. The only way up is by residential roads from downtown Boone so besides taxis, there's few options.Best And Worst Times To Visit Howard KnobSince the mountain is only open half of the year from dawn to dusk, there aren't many bad times to visit. During graduation weekend in early May many students and parents will take pictures at the mountain and crowd it up. Late September and early October is peak leaf season and provides the most colorful sights of the Howard Knob season.Admission To Howard KnobAdmission is free and there are no tickets needed. No attractions at Howard Knob cost money.Must See At Howard KnobThe key attraction at Howard Knob is the view of Boone. You can see the entire town from the mountain top. You can also have picnics in the grassy area at the top.Other Places To Visit Near Howard KnobThe town of Boone is on the way to Howard Knob, which includes Appalachian State University, historic downtown, plus other local mountain parks such as Snake Mountain and further south, the town of Blowing Rock.Insider Tip For Visitors To Howard KnobKeep an eye on that water heat level in your car. The road up Howard Knob goes up 1,000 feet in two miles so it's best to keep it slow going up. And watch out for runners.Author's bio: Thomas Sherrill is a mountain man trying to make his living in Boone, North Carolina.​