Flag Rock Recreation Area

Flag Rock Recreation Area is located three miles above downtown Norton on the lower slopes of High Knob. The thousand-acre park includes 25 developed acres and a variety of outdoor adventures. Please note restroom facilities in the park are open seasonally. Restrooms are open when Flag Rock Campground is open during the spring and fall months. Opening dates for the campground and restrooms are dependent on the weather. See the below links for more information on the park and available activities and amenities.

Mountain Biking

The city’s Flag Rock Area Trails (FRAT) mountain bike trail system includes 10+ miles. More trails are being developed. Learn more about the Trail System, including access to a trail map, trail descriptions, and difficulty levels of individual trails.

Hiking

The Flag Rock Area Trails System (FRAT) is also open to foot travel. Visit the FRAT page for more information on these trails. Hikers can also start at Legion Park and climb the 1.4-mile Legion Park Trail into Flag Rock Recreation Area. Learn more about this trail and other Area Trails.

Fishing

The city’s Upper Reservoir is a State-Stocked Trout Water. Access to the Upper and Lower Reservoirs is located off State Route 619 and three-tenths of a mile above the entrance for Flag Rock Recreation Area.

Paddling

The city’s Upper Reservoir is open to Kayaking/Canoeing and electric motor boats. It also has a boat launch. Access to the boat launch is located off State Route 619, three tenths of a mile above the entrance to Flag Rock Recreation Area.

Climbing

Climbing and bouldering routes are being developed within Flag Rock Recreation Area. In November 2014, the city signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Appalachia Climbers Coalition to develop climbing in the park. See the Central Appalachia Climbers Coalition and Mountain Project websites for more details on available routes.

Camping/Picnicking

The park features an 18-site campground. Campsites are $20 per night and available on a first come, first serve basis. See the Campground Page for more details.

Two shelters with large grill areas, fireplaces, electricity and water can also be rented for $50 per day. Playground equipment and a recreational field are located between the shelters. Restroom facilities are within walking distance of the shelters.

The park also offers five smaller shelters at no charge that are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Green Salamander Sanctuary

Learn more about the Green Salamander and how Flag Rock Recreation Area came to be a city sanctuary for this small amphibian.

Woodbooger Sanctuary

If wandering the gravel path that leads to the Flag Rock Overlook, you can’t miss the giant statue of the Bigfoot-like creature locally known as the Woodbooger. The inspiration for the statue can be traced back to a visit by Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot TV show, which filmed part of an episode on High Knob in 2011. Norton City Council in October 2014 passed a memorandum declaring Flag Rock Recreation Area a Woodbooger Sanctuary.