2013 Map of Elk Park

About this map

Cranberry and Elk Park anchor this high-elevation landscape along the North Carolina and Tennessee border, where the headwaters of the Elk River carve through the Blue Ridge. The map documents a transition from the industrial legacy of the iron-rich Cranberry district to a region defined by outdoor recreation and institutional landmarks. Notable features include the Don Nelan Appalachian Trail Shelter and several significant waterfalls such as Twisting Falls and Big Falls. Near Heaton, the valley opens enough to support the Elk River Airport, while higher slopes like Beech Mountain are densely marked with modern residential road networks including Sassafras Rd and Raccoon Rd. Long-standing local institutions such as the Grandfather Home for Children and Holston Camp appear near Wildcat Lake, illustrating the area's development as a center for summer camps and youth services.