Buffalo Mountain Park
Buffalo Mountain Park, created in 1994, is 725 acres located on the north slope of Buffalo Mountain, thus the trails are steep and forested. Bring binoculars as the views of Johnson City and the region are the drawing card for this park.
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(S) 36.278324,-82.347679 Picnic area (M) 36.26913,-82.33833 Towers (E) 36.27048,-82.33703 White Rock Overlook (G) 36.26292,-82.36548 Lone Oak Trailhead on Dry Creek Road (E) 36.265786, -82.352345 Tip-Top (A) 36.278646,-82.346102 Alternate Parking Lot (C) 36.26973,-82.35065 Cascade (K) 36.26883,-82.34725 Fork Knob (G) 36.27663,-82.34648 Hartsell Hollow </googlemap>
How to get there
From Johnson City, TN
- From just past the intersection of Cherokee Road (TN 67) and University Parkway (US 321) on Cherokee Road, turn on to Buffalo Road through Pine Oaks golf course.
- Take the first right on to Rolling Hills Drive.
- When Rolling Hills Drive ends, turn right on to Highridge Road.
- Drive to end of road.
- The main parking/picnic area is a sharp right following the paved road, while the gravel road to the left head to an alternate trailhead at Hartsell Hollow.
This is the primary trailhead location. GPS address: 5070 Highridge Road, Johnson City, TN 37601
The park can also be entered from the Lone Oak Trail on Dry Creek Road.
Trails
The following trails are available in Buffalo Mountain Park. The distances listed are for one way. All of the trails are considered medium difficulty - or at least that level of effort required to reach them. Only the service road is open to mountain bikes.
| Trail | Miles | Blaze |
|---|---|---|
| Cascade Trail | 2.1 | White |
| Fork Knob Trail with Ladyslipper Loop | 0.9 | Blue |
| Fork Ridge Trail | 0.6 | White |
| Hartsell Hollow Trail | 0.3 | Blue |
| High Ridge Trail | 0.3 | Blue |
| Lone Oak Trail | 1.8 | Orange |
| Tower Ridge Trail | 0.8 | Blue |
| White Rock Trail | 1.85 | White |
Loops hikes can be made by combining:
- 4.5 mile "Grand Circuit": White Rock Trail, Fork Ridge Trail, and Cascade Trail.
- 2.5 mile: White Rock overlook: Tower Ridge Trail and White Rock Trail
- 3.6 mile: To Tip-Top and back: Cascade Trail, Fork Ridge Trail, and High Ridge Trail
The following: Cascade Trail, Fork Knob Trail, High Ridge Trail, and Lone Oak Trail were impacted by the wildfire back in May 2008 - affecting primarily the western side of the park. More open views are available, but also dead rhododendron and trees.
Fees, Hours, Restrictions
There is no fee for Buffalo Mountain Park. The main gate is open 7AM to sunset during the summer (Mar-Oct) and 9AM to sunset in the winter (Nov-Feb). Dogs are allowed.
Mountain biking at Buffalo Mountain is likely referring to the ATV trails to Pinnacle Mountain firetower which is located off Dry Creek Road. Mountain biking in this park is only allowed on the steep service road up to the towers.
Buffalo Mountain Park is managed by the Johnson City Parks & Recreation department. A video about the park can be viewed here.
Maps
Johnson City Parks and Rec Map
Having a map is important as the rudimentary trail signs (BSA Eagle projects in past) only direct towards major locations (Tip-Top, Hartsell Hollow, Cascade, etc.) - and do not identify the trail names. Blazing on the trails varies in frequency and effectiveness. White blazes are for the main loop trails. Blue blazes for the major alternative trails and a few access points. Orange blaze is the Lone Oak Trail. Red blazes can be seen on some now discontinued trails and short connectors - and also the park's south boundary with the national forest. To describe some of the routes, this trail wiki will attempt to define what it believes are the trail sections.