2.5 WATAUGA RIVER PADDLE TRAIL The Watauga River Paddle Trail extends approximately 10 miles from
2.5.3 WATAUGA GORGE ACCESS
Valle Crucis north to Guy Ford Road. The paddle trail features four
Partner with Watauga County to ensure adequate ongoing
access locations, including: 1) Valle Crucis; 2) Watauga River Road; 3)
maintenance of the existing Watauga Gorge Access.
Watauga Gorge; and 4) Guy Ford Access.
2.5.4 GUY FORD ACCESS
The Valle Crucis Access does not exist, but land has been secured by
Partner with Watauga County to ensure adequate ongoing
Blue Ridge Conservancy, which is managing the design, permitting,
maintenance of the existing Guy Ford Access.
and construction of this facility. An access along Watauga River Road has not been specifically identified, but is needed between
2.5.5 PUBLIC ART
Valle Crucis and Watauga Gorge Access. Watauga Gorge Access
Partner with the Watauga Arts Council to incorporate public art at
was developed by the WCTDA in 2012 and continues to receive
appropriate river accesses along the Watauga River Paddle Trail.
considerable use by fisherman, boaters, and swimmers. The Guy Ford Access was developed by Blue Ridge Conservancy, Watauga County, and the WCTDA in 2020, formalizing a traditional high-use river access point.
2.5.6 INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE Support efforts to install interpretive environmental and historical signage along the Watauga River Paddle Trail to educate visitors and locals about the river, environmental issues, local history, and
SPECIFIC WCTDA ACTION ITEMS IN SUPPORT OF THE WATAUGA
regional geography.
RIVER PADDLE TRAIL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 2.5.1 VALLE CRUCIS ACCESS
Partner and financially support Blue Ridge Conservancy efforts to design, permit, construct, and maintain the Valle Crucis River Access.
2.5.2 WATAUGA RIVER ROAD ACCESS Partner with Blue Ridge Conservancy and other community stakeholders to purchase property and develop a river access along Watauga River Road between the Valle Crucis Access and Watauga Gorge Park. The newest river access in Watauga County is located on the Watauga River on Guy Ford Road.
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Plan Recommendations