In nearby downtown Banner Elk (3 miles from Sugar Mountain village entrance) is the beautiful Tate-Evans Park with a Greenway walking trail, playgrounds, picnic tables and amphitheater for events like the summer live music series. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely walk and for kids running off some energy!
Find two playground areas – one area for smaller children that includes a climbing wall and Fort VonCanon for more active children. Kids also love wading and splashing in the adjacent creek.
The Greenway has about 1.1 miles of paved trails – including a loop inside the park. In addition to walking your dog along the trail, there is a fenced dog park. You can extend your walk though Lees-McRae College campus or down Shawneehaw Avenue (Highway 184) to the footbridge by the Mill Pond.
To extend your walk more, turn right onto Hickory Nut Gap Road and another quick right onto Mill Pond Road by the lake. Walk past the dam and May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Check out the birds outside and check out upcoming programs and tours. Return via the bridge across Elk River (pic above) that takes you into the college campus. Across the road from the bridge, find Hemlock Trail for a half-mile hike through the woods (part of-Lees McRae mountain bike trails).
Yet another option: After you turn right onto Hickory Nut Gap, you can follow the Greenway to the left through by a stream – ending at the athletic fields for Lees-McRae College.
During the summer, enjoy Concerts in the Park on Thursday evenings. Read more. On July 4th, come to the park for festivities after the morning parade.
Directions from Sugar Mountain
The parking area for Tates-Evan Park is located at 210 Park Ave, Banner Elk, NC 28604. However, you can park at many locations in town to connect to the Greenway. From the main entrance of Sugar Mountain, simply turn left onto NC Highway 184 and go 3 miles to downtown Banner Elk. Turn right on Main Street and go two blocks to Park Avenue on the right.
See more Things to Do near Sugar Mountain.