Directions

We hold programs both on our private land in Linville, NC and in various locations in the Pisgah National Forest.  If a program is being held on National Forest Land, we'll have directions to the trail head or other meeting location for that particular program.

For programs held on the Lost Cove Naturalist Center's private land:

 Our favorite meeting place is at the River Dog Coffee House & Cafe, in the Linville Village shopping mall. The River Dog is located at the junction of 181 & 221, Linville, NC. Look for Linville Village sign, by the High Country Bank and the Best Cellar Restaurant at this intersection.

We meet in the parking lot just outside the Coffee Shop. If the weather is bad, look for us inside sipping some River Dog's famous Black Widow coffee!

River Dog Coffee House 828-733-9333 Mon-Sat 7am to 6pm. Closed Sundays.

Linville NC MapQuest Link

NOTE: Linville is in Avery Country

This link will show you where Linville, NC center is. Look to the left for the Linville Bypass, and where it' "T's" into the Newland Hwy  (Rt's 181/221). Linville Village and the River Dog Coffee House is just on the left at this intersection.

If you see the Linville Post Office, the intersection and coffee shop where we meet is just down the road a ways on RT 221. The intersection is just to the left (west0 of Linville Center and the post office.

This is as close as MapQuest currently gets to our meeting spot!  Fortunately it's only a few short miles away on easy to navigate and find on their map.

From Boone, NC

Take RT 105 out past Foscue, and turned right onto RT 221towards Newland, NC. Go past Linville Center and the post office, and a few miles down the road you'll see the intersection where RT 221 South turns left at the light (Linville Bypass). Linville Village Shopping Center and High Country Bank are on the left hand side. Go past this light and make a quick left hand turn into the parking lot. The River Dog Coffee House will be on your left, just behind the High Country Bank.

From Ashville, NC

Take RT 19E to RT 194 to RT 221 towards Pineola & Linville, NC. At the intersection in Pineola, NC is a Solo Gas Station and the Laurel Country Store. There is also an Italian Restaurant and Inn near this intersection.

Follow RT 221 / RT 181 to the Intersection of Rt 221 & 181 (Linville Bypass) towards Newland, NC and at the light, take a left and then a quick left into the parking Lot of Linville Village shopping mall. The River Dog Coffee House will be on your left, just behind the High Country Bank.

From Johnson City, TN

Take Rt 321 / 19E towards Elk Park, NC. Then take RT 194 towards Newland, NC. Take a left onto RT 181 in Newland, NC by the CVS Drug Store, and before the McDonalds.

(NOTE: There is a Lowes Supermarket right behind the McDonalds. This is the last supermarket before hitting the wilderness, so if you need to stock up on food supplies, this is the place! Also last place for hardware stores, car parts and restaurants)

Continue on RT 194 past the Charles Cannon Memorial Hospital (entrance on the right), until the intersection of RT 221 South and RT 181 (Linville Bypass). You'll see Linville Village Shopping mall on the right hand side, just before the light. Turn into the parking lot and the River Dog Coffee House will be on your left, just behind the High Country Bank.

Food & Lodging in the Area:

Linville, NC

There are a few lodging options, several farmers market/road side stands with fresh vegetables (seasonal) and other produce, a Post Office, and some small stores. Not far, down RT 105 toward Boone/Foscue is  Lowes Super Market, McDonalds and other shops & restaurants.

Pixie Inn. By the junction of RT 105 and RT 221, just across from the Post Office  (828) 733-2597

Linville Cottage, Bed & Breakfast

Pineoloa, NC

At the intersection of RT 221 and RT 181 is a Solo Gas Station with the Laurel Country Store. Just a bit away is an Italian Restaurant, an Inn with a Native Artifact Museum and post office

Spruce Pine, NC

Spruce Pine Motel, 379 Oak Ave. Spruce Pine, NC 28777  828-765-9344

Newland, NC

Near the intersection of RT 194 & RT 181 is  McDonalds, Lowes Supermarket, BBQ and other restaurant, NAPA auto parts, several hardware stores and small shops.

Shady Lawn Motel, 330 Cranberry St, Newland, NC 28657   828-733-1921

Boone, NC

There are numerous food & lodging options in Boone, NC. Boone is about 30 minutes away from the Lost Cove Naturalist Center. Any of the Internet search engines will find you the accommodations that you need!

Lost Cove Naturalist Center Phone Numbers...

828-295-8570 Home Office

606-224-1568 Kevin's Cell

828-719-5889 Bruce's Cell (USA)

011-501-626-1445 Bruce's Cell (Belize)

Please leave a message if we don't answer.

We will get back to you as soon as we return from the woods!

Email...

LostCoveNaturalist@Gmail.Com

and may the forest be with you!