Rendezvous Mountain

Rendezvous Mountain is the 29th park in our 2025 North Carolina State Park Challenge. This park was a part of the North Carolina Forest Service up until 2021 when the land was acquired but the State Park System. When we got here the smaller parking lot up near the Park Office was just about full- we stopped up at the office to grab our passport stamp (they were out of the office but had the “stamp” stickers on the door. After that we headed out on the trails.

We took the longest trail in the park- The Amadahy Trail which is a 4 mile strenuous trail that will take you past a 60 foot cascading waterfall. This trail is very steep and they suggesting hiking clockwise so majority of the really steep sections are on the decent. The waterfall is located near the midpoint of the trail but you won’t have a clear view of it. The view is through the trees and you won’t be able to walk up to it, but you’ll come across plenty of stream crossings that will give you an opportunity to cool down. Near the end of this trail you’ll come across a fire tower- although you are technically able to climb it, the ranger told us they don’t recommend it. It looked very precarious, and was not anything we felt comfortable climbing. This is a really great trail that will give you a great workout and take you all over the park. But if you’re taking this trail just for the waterfall, you might be dissapointed.

Some of the best views in the park are right at the park office and main parking area. The gorgeous blue ridge mountain views are hard to beat on a clear day. Right next to the parking lot you’ll find the bathrooms, amphitheater, and ample picnic tables (both covered and uncovered).

At the second parking area lower down in the park there are more picnic tables as well as a second overlook area. Multiple trails start from this lot as well as the Forest Logging History Trail, that gives you a gentle walk through a path that will educate you on the park’s Forest Service background and the logging process.

With this being a newer park I think it is easily overlooked, but is one you should add to your list! There are four state parks (Stone Mountain State Park, New River State Park, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, and Elk Knob State Park) within an hour of this park making it a great place add to a weekend trip!

Park Details:
ADDRESS: 1956 Rendezvous Mountain Road, Purlear NC 28665
HOURS: November- March: Open Daily 8am-5pm
April-October: Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm, Saturday & Sunday: 8am-7pm
PARK OFFICE: Hours not listed online
PASSPORT STAMP: Located at the Park Office (attached to the door with the park rangers are out)
ENTRANCE FEE: No Entrance Fee
TRAILS: 5.5 miles of hiking trails
ACTIVITIES: Hiking and Birdwatching
DOG RULES: Dogs are not allowed in park buildings or on swim beaches. Please pick up after your pet!

Check out our videos about this Park on instagram @axel.theadventurepup