Doe Mountain: Expanding Tennessee’s Recreation Opportunities
History of the Area
In 2012, a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, the State of Tennessee, and Johnson County leadership resulted in the acquisition of what is now Doe Mountain Recreation Area. Prior to this acquisition, the land was one of the largest remaining forest blocks in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains region, and it was at risk of being sold for timber clear cutting. The land had so much potential, which The Nature Conservancy and Ron Ramsey (the Lieutenant Governor at the time) recognized. With a shared goal, they worked together to create the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority board.
Recreation-Based Partnerships
As planning for the property began, the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority knew it was important to engage the community in the development, and McGill’s land planning and recreation team joined the project. With the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority, our team hosted public input meetings and developed plan recommendations that culminated in a master plan for the area.
Community input was a huge part of the process—in order to truly understand a community and what it needs to successfully grow, there must be a relationship with residents and visitors. McGill’s land planning and recreation team frequently hosts community engagement events throughout the Southeast, so we are comfortable with asking questions, listening to concerns, and sharing excitement for the future of recreation opportunities.
Engaging with community members also provides insider insight on economic development because residents, stakeholders, and community staff members will have historical knowledge of a place, its businesses, and what activities have previously been attractive.
Doe Mountain Recreation Area
Fast forward to present day and the Doe Mountain Recreation Area has over 60 miles of trails and provides opportunities for a variety of recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, low-impact ATV touring, and using the archery / axe-throwing range. Regardless of the activity, the property is beautiful.
To see blooming rhododendrons, visitors should come in early June. To see autumn colors blossoming across the Blue Ridge Mountains, visitors should plan a trip in early October. The highest peak is about 3,900 feet above sea level, and there are nearly 40 rare plants as well as deer, turkeys, black bears, and other regional animals.
McGill Visits Doe Mountain
One of the special parts of McGill is that our employees live and recreate in the areas where we work. This connection between life and work contributes to our dedication—we care as much about the parks, trails, and infrastructure as the client because, in many cases, we are also using the system; Doe Mountain Recreation Area is an example of this connection.
On the second weekend of November, a few employees from our Hickory office got together to spend a Saturday exploring the Doe Mountain Recreation Area via side-by-side (SXS), which are used on the ATV trails, and they had an awesome experience. They arrived in the morning at a parking lot with space for plenty of cars, which is important for a recreation destination.
One of our employees had never been on an SXS before, so he rented one through Doe Mountain. With the rental, he got an explanation of how the SXS worked and the different kinds of trails. As a newcomer to the activity, he felt like the attendants adequately prepared him for a day of riding, and he knew there was support nearby, if needed.
There are a variety of trail options, ranging from green to black diamond (the ATV trails have the same descriptions as ski slopes), which provides all users with the opportunity for adrenaline. Along the trails, there are places to pull off for a snack break or to admire the natural forest surroundings. There is also an overlook called Chimney Rock and a fire tower, both of which offer beautiful views of the Southern Appalachian region.
Another perk of the Doe Mountain Recreation Area is its proximity to good food. After a day of hiking or riding around, there is nothing better than a large, delicious, hot meal. Mountain City is at the base of mountain, and just past that, about 30 minutes away, is the Town of Boone.
What’s Happening at Doe Mountain?
Looking toward the future, the Doe Mountain Recreation Area will keep getting better. Currently, it is expanding through the Pedro Shoun site, which is a $20 million investment designed to continue the work of elevating outdoor recreation and supporting community development.
Here are some of the key additions: a new operations center and trailhead; lodging, cabins, and tent camping; amphitheater, playgrounds, and picnic shelters; expanded multi-use trail networks; and enhanced regional access, which includes connections to Watauga Lake, vineyards, and other local attractions.
Learn More
The Doe Mountain Recreation Authority helps to strengthen small businesses and local tourism, create jobs, and improve quality of life. Northeast Tennessee is a recreation destination, and the opportunities that exist at the Doe Mountain Recreation Area exemplify this. To plan a visit to Doe Mountain, check out their website.
To learn more about McGill’s Land Planning and Recreation services, visit our website or contact the Land Planning and Recreation Practice Area Leader, Mike Norris, at mike.norris@mcgillassociates.com.
