Thistle Ridge
Thistle Ridge Nature Trail Disc Golf Course is part of the Kids in Parks TRACK Trails program. This scenic 18-hole course offers expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and features a mix of short, technical holes and long, open fairways, designed to challenge both beginners and seasoned players alike.
Description
Begin your round from the parking area (marked with a “P” on the map). Follow the trail signs to the loop begins, played in a clockwise direction. The course flows naturally from holes 1 through 18, with clear signage and a mix of short, technical shots and long, open drives
Along the way, you’ll also encounter the Blue Ridge Trail, marked with blue blazes. This mowed path through a wide meadow, once intended as a hotel golf course, runs parallel to parts of the disc golf trail, offering a peaceful walking option for non-players or those looking to explore more of the park.
Driving Directions
From the Lexington Visitor Center, drive east on Washington Street to a left at the stoplight onto East Nelson Street (US-60). Continue .2 mile to a right onto Lee Highway (US-11 S Bypass). Drive .9 mile to a left at the stoplight, continuing south on Lee Highway/US-11 for 11 miles. Once you pass Natural Bridge Zoo and Dino Kingdom II you will see the park's gateway sign.
Approximately ½ mile past the sign is the Blue Ridge Trail head parking area on the right. There is a large, level, gravel parking area with a portable toilet. Numerous picnic tables and a grill are perfect for relaxing with family and friends.
Tips
- If you plan to hike the entire 4 mile loop, allow a couple of hours. The park recommends hiking it a clockwise direction. The beginning of the hike will be in open fields in case the sun and temperatures are up, you will have the hottest part of the hike behind you.
- There are bears in the park, so keep your pets on a leash and follow the protocols shown at the trail head.
Insider's Tips
- At the park's Visitor Center is the Outpost Café, open seasonal weekends and holidays from April to October, and 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- There are two breweries nearby—Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery and Chaos Mountain Brewery—both hosting a food truck. Halcyon Days Cider Co. and their apple orchard labyrinth feature over 2,000 trees of 50 varieties, perfect for a stroll and sip of crips craft cider.
- Pink Cadillac Diner on Route 11 serves up burgers and shakes in a nostalgic 50s style atmosphere, while Natty B's General Store offers sandwiches and made-from-scratch desserts, just minutes from the park on Route 130 as you head to Glasgow.
Kids in Parks, Track Trails

Thistle Trail has a trail which is a part of Kids in Parks, which is a FREE, national program that connects families to the outdoors through hands-on exploration. Self-guided TRACK Trail activities and smartphone e-adventures turn any outing into a fun-filled, discovery-packed adventure.
Brochures
Every TRACK Trail location is stocked with colorful, engaging brochures that offer fun, educational activities for all ages. The topics of the activities have been specially selected to help guide kids and families to the features of the trail. Some topics can be found at many different TRACK Trail locations, while others have been custom-designed to explore the unique features of the site. With dozens of activity brochures across hundreds of trails, every visit to a TRACK Trail becomes a unique adventure full of discoveries. Choose your favorite topic or try something new. Whether you want to search for wildlife, learn about plants, or burn off some energy, there's a TRACK Trail brochure for you.

E-Adventure
Kids in Parks has converted some of our most popular TRACK Trail brochures into ee-adventuresthat that kids can do on a smartphone or tablet. Kids can complete these e-Adventures in their backyard, schoolyard, local park, on an official TRACK Trail, or anywhere in between.
Information about the Kids in Parks Trail can be found at https://www.kidsinparks.com/th...
