The construction of the Lower Gorge River Access at Guy Ford Bridge near Bethel is now complete, according to Watauga County Planning Director Joe Furman.
Before this lot was built, a few dozen cars lined the side of Guy Ford Road during the sunny days this summer. So much of that overflow will be alleviated.
The construction project to improve the parking situation at the Watauga River included a paved parking lot for 27 cars, fencing, handrails, signage and a concrete ramp to a beachy area.
Known these days as the ‘Guy Ford River Spot’ on Instagram, this area became a popular swimming hole and hangout spot for college kids a few years ago.
It’s also a popular fishing hole. The property will soon be part of the Public Fishing Access Program managed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, though it won’t be stocked.
Aside from all that though, the river access at Guy Ford Road is most famous for being the put-in to the 5-mile classic whitewater run to the North Carolina-Tennessee state line.
This area features world-class whitewater and Class V rapids as it runs through the rugged, pristine and even spectacular Watauga River Gorge.
While Watauga County Planning Director Joe Furman noted that the initial phases of this project started in 2014, it didn’t really pick up steam until 2016 when the Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) purchased 2.3 acres along the river.
The purchase was made a reality by a “small group of passionate paddlers” with an ambitious dream, according to the BRC at the time.
The property was purchased by the Blue Ridge Conservancy in 2016 with the financial support of the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and 140 private donors, mostly paddlers with American Whitewater.
Edgar Peck, a professor at Appalachian State and kayaker, was instrumental in launching this project, according to a 2016 article in America Whitewater’s magazine.
Peck negotiated a below market-value deal for the property, helped raised the necessary funds and engaged with county officials, private corporations, environmental nonprofits and other stakeholders – some of which had no interest in this project in the beginning.
As for the construction project, Furman said the county received $175,000 in funding from the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority and $50,000 from the 2017 N.C. budget and $50,000 from the Tennessee Valley Authority. Plus, the Watauga County
Furman said he also went to the Watauga County Board of Commissioners and received approval to use county staff and equipment to grade the parking site, concrete ramp and to construct necessary retaining walls.
To read about other public Watauga River access areas, click here.
See below for the map to the Lower Gorge River Access at Guy Ford Bridge and other photos.
Fantastic place to bring your kids, the grand kids, anyone and all !
Feel the winds blowing, Listen to the waters crashing, get wet, get some Sunshine,
Catch a Fish.
Many Thanks to all those involved in making this new park happen.