So here’s my quick guide to hiking Buffalo Mountain near my home in the Tri-Cities area of Northeast TN. In it, I’ll explain the reasons why I enjoy hiking this mountain so much. I’ll share with you some local tips for hiking this fine mountain. And finally, I’ll leave you with some directions and advise on parking, as well as a bonus trailhead, which will also lead you to the peak of Buffalo Mountain. I’m sure you’ll want to know more about this excellent hiking destination. So here it goes.
Buffalo Mountain is Only Minutes From Downtown Johnson City, TN.
So the first reason that I enjoy hiking Buffalo Mountain is that it’s close to my townhouse in Johnson City. In fact, it’s only a ten minute drive from my home. This makes it a convenient place to go when I want to get outside and explore nature and I don’t feel like driving all the way to the balds near Roan Mountain. That also makes it a convenient place to hike for just about everyone who lives in Johnson City, TN. Or even anyone in the whole Tri-Cities area in Northeast Tennessee. So what’s not to like about such a convenient hiking destination?
Hiking Buffalo Mountain Rewards You With Scenic Views, Especially at White Rock and Tip Top.
So the second reason that I enjoy hiking Buffalo Mountain is that it’s a scenic hike. Especially, if you actually summit White Rock, or Tip Top. But even if you don’t. There’s always a nice view from Huckleberry Knob, where I’ve never actually found any huckleberries. So don’t expect to see them.
But do expect to find dramatic views on this mountain, especially along the higher elevations of the White Rock Loop Trail. Now some of the views just give you glimpses of I-26 and sprawling Johnson City and populated areas to the east. But there’s definitely a few spots that offer fantastic views of the distant peaks near Roan. So don’t be afraid to search for those awesome panoramas. And yes, the best views are from the highest elevations above 3000 feet. So you’ll have to ascend the mountain to see them.
Hiking Buffalo Mountain is a Fine Way to Get a Great Workout
So this would be the third reason that I love hiking Buffalo Mountain. The hike up the mountain is great workout. Especially, if you hike all the way from the parking area at 2200 feet to one of the summits above 3000 feet. I know it doesn’t sound like a lot of elevation gain. From base to summit is only about 1100 feet. But trust me. You’re gonna feel it.
So no, I don’t need a gym membership. And why would I, when I can take on Buffalo Mountain once or twice a week? Yes, it hurts my quads sometimes. And yes, I often feel sore from hiking it the next day. But it leaves you feeling awake and alive. Also, my view is that you’ll never find a gym routine that’s as good as hiking outside in nature, especially if there’s some elevation gain.
Moreover, I’m convinced that if more Americans got outside and started hiking, well that activity would certainly help to alleviate some of the obesity epidemic that’s plaguing this country. And who knows what else you’ll be inspired to do after you’ve climbed your way to the mountaintop? And stood in awe of the amazing scenery and world below you. So hey, let’s all get started on hiking more often. Or just getting outside the house and walking around the neighborhood. I have no doubt that this will inspire folks in so many other areas of their lives, as well. But that’s just my idea of exercising and chasing away the blues in life.
Meet Some New Folks on Buffalo Mountain
Okay, so the fourth reason that I enjoy hiking Buffalo Mountain is because I often run into some of the regular hikers there. And being somewhat new to the area, it’s always a pleasure to see familiar faces and to stop briefly and say hello. Now I don’t see a lot of people there on a regular basis. But there are a few diehards.
I’ll mention a few. There’s Patrick and his dog, Lou Lou. And no, you won’t be able to hike the White Rock Loop faster than him. And he has a brother, named Steve, who also hikes fast around the loop.
A Man and His Dog, Scout
Then, there’s Alan D. and his Golden Retriever, Scout. Alan does a lot of trail work on Buffalo Mountain so I definitely appreciate his work. Currently, he’s in the process of trying to set up a non-profit for the benefit of the trails, environment, and infrastructure at Buffalo Mountain. So I’ll look forward to seeing that group in the future.
I’m also going to anoint his dog, Scout, as the official mascot and ambassador of Buffalo Mountain, as every good cause needs a friendly face to draw attention to it. And Scout is certainly that. So if you see him, he’ll probably want to greet and meet you. Or play tug-of-war with you with a strong stick.
So that’s about it for the reasons why I enjoy hiking Buffalo Mountain near my home in Johnson City, TN. And having covered this, I’d like to move on and discuss some tips for first-timers, who want to visit this city park. So here we go.
Tips for Hiking Buffalo Mountain: Parking is Very Limited at Hartsell Hollow Trailhead
First, if you’re visiting the park by driving up to it on Highridge Road along Catbird Creek. The first thing you should keep in mind is that the parking is severely limited at Hartsell Hollow Trailhead. So, if you see more than a few cars parked there as you’re driving in, I’d recommend taking a right turn at the Check Point hut and driving further up the mountain to the official Buffalo Mountain Park Trailhead. There’s a big traffic circle and a large picnic area up there, where there’s also more abundant parking. So if you’re coming on a nice warm day during the weekend, well, that’s probably where you’ll have to park.
There are Often Road Closures in the Winter Months
In the winter, you will often find that the road to the upper Buffalo Mountain Park Trailhead will be blocked off by the city. Sometimes, even the lower mountain road–Highridge Road–will also be blocked off entirely. At this point, you’d have to hike up the road to access those trailheads or simply turn around and drive back home.
How You Can Obtain a Free Map of the Buffalo Mountain Trail System
My second tip is this. You might want to bring a map of the Buffalo Mountain Trail System. Now when I first started hiking Buffalo Mountain, I found it a serious maze. That’s because there weren’t many good trail signs. But that has changed since the city installed some new blue trail signs at various trailheads and intersections on the mountain. Not only that, but these blue trail signs also have a QR trail code.
So you can use your smartphone’s camera to scan the QR trail code.
And presto, a Buffalo Mountain Trail Map will launch on your smartphone. I think I actually just took a picture of the QR trail code and that caused the map to launch on my phone. That said, at this point, I don’t really need a map when I’m hiking Buffalo Mountain so I was just scanning it out of curiosity.
But if you really want to conceptually understand the layout of the Buffalo Mountain Park Trail System, just know that the White Rock Loop is the 5.13 mile circular loop that encompasses most of the other trails. And the White Rock Loop Trail is white blazed. Meanwhile other trails, like Tower Ridge and Fork Knob, are simply shortcut trails that will get you to the top or bottom of the mountain faster and with a bit more ease. And both of those trails are blue blazed.
Watch Your Step on Buffalo Mountain
My third tip for hiking Buffalo Mountain is that you’ll want to be fairly careful hiking it. It’s a bit rugged and rocky in a lot of places. There’s also a lot of tree roots crisscrossing the trail on certain stretches. So please pay attention to your footsteps so you don’t twist an ankle, and so forth.
Consequently, I’d also recommend wearing a good pair of hiking shoes on the trails. I enjoy hiking in these hiking shoes, since they are affordable and durable:
Furthermore, if you seek to ascend to the summit, it’s a fairly steep hike. So get ready for a vigorous workout.
Also, the trail is narrow. Half track or single track at best in most places.
So you might have to suck in your breath to pass other hikers.
Incidentally, my friend, who is a hiking guide in Utah, advised me that priority always goes to the uphill hiker.
So, taking that into consideration, you should step to the side, if possible, for the person who is hiking up the mountain, while you are descending. And, I’ve found that most people on this mountain are very polite. For instance, whenever I’m catching up to a family or small group, they usually stop at a certain point to allow me to pass. I really appreciate that, so I thank them and wish them well on their hike.
Directions to Buffalo Mountain Park Trailhead:
From I 26, take exit 24 onto University Parkway (heading towards ETSU). Left turn onto Cherokee Rd. Turn left onto Buffalo Road. Right turn onto Rolling Hills Drive. Turn right onto Highridge Rd. Right turn at the Check Point hut and head up the road to the circular parking area, where you’ll find the official Buffalo Mountain Park Trailhead. And a large picnic area.
If you want to get specific directions on your own smartphone map application, as your destination, you can always type in:
“Buffalo Mountain Park Trailhead”
or
“Hartsell Hollow Trailhead”
I’d recommend using the Buffalo Mountain Park Trailhead Parking area as a first-time visitor, unless the Hartsell Hollow parking area is uncrowded.
From the Buffalo Mountain Park Trailhead, it’s much easier to quickly access Huckleberry Knob, if all you want is a short hike to a scenic view. Whereas, the lower trailhead gets used more by hikers desiring longer loop hikes.
Buffalo Mountain Bonus Hike: Lone Oak Trail
So there’s one more way that I know of to hike to Tip Top peak. And that is to access the Lone Oak Trailhead on Dry Creek Road. Now this trail is 1.9 miles in length and parallels a creek for starters. Then, the trail ascends a lot of switchbacks before eventually reaching the summit at Tip Top peak, where you might be rewarded with some dramatic views. This trail is orange blazed. I’ve actually only hiked it twice. But that’s just because it’s a bit longer of a drive from my home. Whereas the Buffalo Mountain Park Trailhead is a bit closer.
That said, I enjoyed hiking this trail just as much as the White Rock Loop Trail. But some say it’s steeper than the White Rock Loop Trail and any trail within it. I agree that it probably is. Although, at this time, the Lone Oak Trail is a bit more well-groomed, wider, and level than the trails within the White Rock Loop Trail area.
Lone Oak Trail: Thank You to All Trail Volunteers
Upon hiking up the creek, at the start of the Lone Oak Trail, you will be greeted with a placard that explains that, Albert “Tom” Dosser, conceived and constructed most of this trail. My research indicates that he worked on this trail with some help of trail and other hiking groups for over ten years.
Although, Tom Dosser is now deceased, I’d like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for all the fantastic trail work and renovation that he did. As well as any other trail volunteer. This is a nice and rewarding hiking trail, used by a lot of trail runners and hikers alike. I have enjoyed my two hikes on it and plan to return when the right conditions strike. So here’s my shout out to all the crews who constructed and renovated it. And to Tom Dosser, who did most of the work on it.
Buffalo Mountain’s Future In 2024
In the winter of 2024, The City of Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department sought citizen feedback about the future of Buffalo Mountain Park. Residents were encouraged to attend one of the two community meetings and complete an online survey.
Those community input meetings took place between 5:30-7 p.m. The first meeting was held in the Memorial Park Community Center dining room, 510 Bert St., on Tuesday, Feb. 13. While the second meeting was held in the gym at Langston Centre, 315 Elm St., on Thursday, Feb. 22. And both meetings were attended by many city residents, who were able to vote on the overall future of this cherished natural preserve.
Thus, let’s all hope that we see some great plans from the city in the near future for the preservation, improvement, and expansion of the fantastic dedicated hiking trails at Buffalo Mountain.
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Gary Alan
After a long career in the publishing industry, Gary Alan left his corporate job to pursue his next adventures in life as a blogger, writer, investor, fly fisherman, hiker, and traveler. He is the author of the adventure fiction book, 'Big Thunder-Hearted River'.