outdoor community profile

wilkes county

The Great State of Wilkes is Home to the communities of North Wilkesboro, Rhonda, and Wilkesboro

Wilkes County has the charm of a small town with local shops, craft restaurants, wineries and true southern hospitality. Though the people and sights are delightful, the scenes surrounding can be a place of refuge, rejuvenation and adventure.

Wilkes County is home to Stone Mountain State Park, a 600-foot granite dome that is a designated National Natural Landmark; W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir, which offers biking, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, picnicking, swimming, disc golfing, and archery; and, the historic Hutchinson Homestead, a restored mid-19th-century farm.

outdoor recreation
economic impact

$102.9M Economic Output

1,103 Full-time Jobs

Top Activities: Day Hiking; Scenic Driving; Fishing

"We see the outdoor economy and our outdoor recreation as an opportunity to bring everybody together because at the end of the day, we all have the same goals and desires for Wilkes County and that's to make it a much better place to live and work."
Thomas Salley
Director of Wilkes Tourism Development Authority

Priority Project

In 2023, Wilkes County received a Building Outdoor Communities Planning Grant. This project will deliver an essential pedestrian connection between North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro, utilizing the Yadkin River Greenway system. The current Greenway system consists of approximately 8 miles of trails. Within that trail system, only one pedestrian bridge currently connects the two towns. All other crossings of both the Reddies and the Yadkin Rivers are NCDOT bridges with automotive traffic. This new pedestrian crossing will serve as a second, safe and effective method for navigating between existing community assets.

    These mountains make us industry leaders, thinkers, builders, growers, dreamers, makers, athletes and caretakers. How will these mountains make you?

    Subscribe for Updates: