Places › Elk Knob State Park
Elk Knob State Park is a North Carolina state park in Todd, Watauga County, in our High Country region. Day-use admission is free. The gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., depending on the month. It is closed on Christmas Day. Facts read from the official page on October 27, 2026.
- AdmissionFree day use
- HoursCloses 6 to 9 p.m.Opens 7 a.m., by month
- ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
- DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below
About Elk Knob State Park
Established in 2003 to protect a mountain and the headwaters of the North Fork of the New River, this Watauga County park has a summit overlook with a panoramic high country view. Backcountry campsites sit one to two miles in, and about a mile of ungroomed trail is open for skiing and snowshoeing in winter.
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
Day-use admission is free.
Closes 6 to 9 p.m.Bring the Dog?
Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limits indoors and in some areas.
Full rules belowMake It a Trip
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area is about 13 miles away (straight line).
4 units within 30 miles
Elk Knob State Park Hours
The gate closes between 6 p.m. (Nov to Feb) and 9 p.m. (Jun to Aug). It opens 7 a.m. Month by month, as the park prints it:
Bars show the hour the gate closes, drawn from the month table below it. Taller means later.
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| February | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| March | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| April | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| May | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| June | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| July | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| August | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| September | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| October | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| November | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| December | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
- Park Office: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The park is closed on Christmas Day.
- The park is open during all other holidays.
- The park office is closed on all state holidays.
Admission and Fees
There are no fees required to access Elk Knob State Park for day use. Fees are charged for camping and certain event permits.
Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide sets every park’s fees and dog rules side by side.
Dogs and Strollers
- Dogs: Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
- Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park office (828-297-7261) before you go.
Directions and Contact
- Address: 5564 Meat Camp Road, Todd, NC 28684
- Phone: 828-297-7261
- Map point: 36.33250,-81.69060. Latitude and longitude printed on the park's own ncparks.gov page, checked within 25 miles of the OpenStreetMap match. Directions in Google Maps
- Official page: www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/elk-knob-state-park
State Parks Near Elk Knob State Park
- 1Mount Jefferson State Natural AreaState Natural Areaabout 13 mi
- 2Grandfather Mountain State ParkState Parkabout 13 mi
- 3New River State ParkState Parkabout 22 mi
- 4Rendezvous MountainState Park Unitabout 24 mi
- 5Stone Mountain State ParkState Parkabout 37 mi
- 6Lake James State ParkState Parkabout 42 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Elk Knob State Park?
Day-use admission is free, per the park page. Camping, boat rentals, swim passes, event permits and reservations can cost extra where the park offers them.
Are dogs allowed at Elk Knob State Park?
Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
What time does Elk Knob State Park close?
It depends on the month: the gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the first table the park prints. See the month table above for your date.
Is Elk Knob State Park open on Christmas?
The park is closed on Christmas Day.
Are strollers allowed at Elk Knob State Park?
Not published. The park page does not mention strollers, so call the park office before you go.
What We Could Not Verify
- Hours and closures change at short notice for weather and staffing; check the official page the day you go.
- Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.
Sources
- Elk Knob State Park on NC State Parks (read 2026-10-27)
- NC State Parks: park list and fees (read 2026-10-27)
- OpenStreetMap (map point check)
Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Elk Knob State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places/elk-knob-state-park/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.