Trail Lenth
5.1 Miles
Buffalo Mountain Park
5.1 Miles
Loop
1,354 feet
Moderate
Yes on leash
The White Rock Loop Trail is an approximately 5.1 mile loop hiking trail that’s located in Buffalo Mountain Park right outside of Johnson City, Tennessee. The trail features chances to see wildlife as well as incredible mountain views. The White Rock Loop Trail is open year round as long as Buffalo Mountain Park is open. The trail is marked with white blazes similar to the Appalachian Trail blazes, and very well maintained for the most part. The trail difficulty is moderate with a few strenuous and moderately difficult stretches. The trail has an elevation gain of approximately 1,354 feet, or approximately 265.5 feet per mile.
If you’re only interested in the pros and cons list and / or directions to Buffalo Mountain Park, scroll to the bottom.
When you first arrive at Buffalo Mountain Park, you will have the option of two different parking areas. There is a lower parking area at the mouth of Catbird Creek (which I prefer), or if this area is filled up you can take a right and drive up the steep hill to the larger parking area.
To find the White Rock Loop Trail from the lower parking area, simply follow the trail along Catbird Creek for about .25 miles until you come to the White Rock Loop sign. You can go either right or left at this point, but I would encourage you to start to the right. This will leave the best mountain views for last. The rest of this post will be written under the assumption you started from the lower parking area and went to the right. The White Rock Loop Trail runs right by the upper parking area, so finding the trail from here is very simple. There are multiple foot-paths from the upper parking area that meet up with the White Rock Loop Trail. Once you hit the trail go to the right.
When you reach the White Rock Loop Trail, you get a decent dose of elevation right off the bat as you head by the upper parking area. This is another reason I prefer starting from the lower parking area, as you can avoid having significant elevation gain at the end of your hike. You don’t have to go far to get your first payoff though, as the Huckleberry Knob Overlook is quite impressive, and it’s only about .3 miles from the start of the loop. After you pass the upper parking area, simply head right up the dirt trail to the overlook.
Huckleberry Knob faces north-west and offers mountain views as well as views of Johnson City and Jonesborough, Tennessee.
After you leave Huckleberry Knob, continue on the White Rock Loop Trail. Note that there are multiple interior trails in Buffalo Mountain Park, so make sure you’re staying on the trail with the white paint blazes at all times.
For a little over 1.5 miles after leaving Huckleberry Knob you’ll be hiking on the west side of Buffalo Mountain. Look to your right for incredible views, as well as a view of Tip Top, one of the highest points on the mountain. This area does have some ascents and descents, so make sure to take breaks as needed.
One of the reasons the White Rock Loop Trail is my favorite hiking trail in Buffalo Mountain Park is you get to see the full diversity the mountain has to offer. From the incredible views throughout the hike, to the beautiful wild flowers, to the mountain creeks, to the hardwood forest, there is so much to see on Buffalo Mountain. If you traverse the mountain between May and June, you may even be able to see the elusive pink lady slipper flowers hiding among the brush.
About 1.3 miles after leaving Huckleberry Knob, you’ll come to a sign signifying the way to Tip Top. Keep left at this sign and continue to follow the white paint blazes. Now you are on the forested south side of Buffalo Mountain. This is the most intensive part as far as elevation gain and descent goes, so take your time and take breaks as needed.
At the end of the final ascent on the south side of Buffalo Mountain (about .5 miles from the Tip Top sign), you will reach the highest elevation point throughout the whole hike, right around 3,250 feet above sea level.
Once you make it to the east side of the mountain, the terrain changes significantly. The ground becomes very rocky, and rhododendron surround you on all sides. I recommend sturdy hiking boots for hiking any part of Buffalo Mountain, but especially when you’re on the east side. Check out my favorite hiking boots on Amazon here!
Once you’ve been hiking on the east side of the mountain for a bit, you’ll start to notice some mountain views poking through the trees on your right. This means you’re almost to the White Rock Overlook, one of the best views in Northeast Tennessee.
When you make it to the White Rock Overlook, you’ll know it. It’s an open cliff-face that offers views unlike anything else in the Tri-Cities area of Northeast Tennessee. Looking to the north, you’ll see the Elizabethton, TN. Looking to the southeast, you’ll see the looming mountains of the Cherokee National Forest on the Tennessee / North Carolina border. There is plenty of space on White Rock, so make sure to take a seat and soak in your surroundings. Listen to the wind moving through the Rocky Mountainesque evergreen trees that seem to be growing out of bare rock. Watch and listen for the birds flying around (and often times below) you. Take in the beautiful creation that Mother Nature has to offer.
When you’re finished at White Rock Overlook, it’s time to complete the loop and finish the hike. There are a few other overlooks immediately after White Rock that offer the same views, but may not be quite as busy, so check them out if you wish. Soon after leaving the White Rock area, the descent gets pretty steep. This is the trickiest part of the hike, as some places the ground can be wet and slippery, as well as steep. This is another reason I recommend a good pair of hiking boots on this trail.
From the White Rock Overlook to back to the Catbird Creek Trail is just about mile, maybe a tad bit longer. But it’s very important to stick to the white paint blazes, as it’s a little easier to get off trail on the way down than on the way up. When you’re almost done with the White Rock Loop Trail, you’ll cross a service road called Highridge Road. If you head to the right, you can take this road back to the lower parking area, but it will almost double the remaining distance of your hike. Instead I would encourage you to cross the road and head up the hill to where the White Rock Loop Trail meets the Tower Ridge Trail (blue blazes). Take a right at this juncture and continue on for about .2 miles until you meet up once again with Catbird Creek.
Take a right at Catbird Creek and follow it out to the lower parking area.
Directions to Buffalo Mountain Park:
Easiest method is to type in 570 Highridge Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604 into your favorite GPS
If you don’t have GPS, click the links below
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