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Boone’s Cave Park  may be best known as a spot where a folk hero once spent time, but it’s still a bit of a secret in terms of the activities and diverse plant and animal life it offers.

Davidson County has transformed the park, named for pioneer Daniel Boone,  since taking it over from the state in 2003.

The county added a kayak and canoe access trail that descends about 1,400 feet to the Yadkin River.  The county also opened it up for camping, cleared five miles of hiking trails, and built new picnic areas and restrooms. Forty-seven acres are designated by the state as a Natural Heritage Area.

It’s part of the N.C. Birding Trail and is a hot spot on www.ebird.com.  Birdwatchers can see a large number of migratory birds, and 72 types  of butterflies have been counted at the park.

The state’s largest cottonwood tree on record is along one of the trails. Plant lovers can admire umbrella magnolias, goldenseal, three types of gingers, liverwort and other greenery.  Much of the plant life is usually seen at higher elevations.

“It’s really neat in the springtime when everything’s in bloom,” said Sheila Zuccaro, the outdoor recreation specialist  assigned to the park.

Visitors can descend into the cave in which Boone  is said to have hidden. Going through the cave is fun and easy “if you’ve got a good flashlight and don’t mind getting a little dirty,” Zuccaro said.

You can walk about 50 into the cave. If you feel like crawling for another 90 feet, the end of the cave can be reached.

The park is open all year except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Other popular outdoor spots in the county are High Rock and Tuckertown lakes,  which offer boating, swimming, skiing and fishing, and Denton FarmPark,  which has camping facilities and 15 restored historical buildings. Denton FarmPark is home to three annual events: the Southeast Old Thresher’s Reunion, Denton Bluegrass Festival, and Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver’s Bluegrass Music Festival.

Davidson County draws many visitors who want to indulge in smoked, chopped pork smothered in a sweet and tangy sauce — the famous Lexington-style pork barbecue.

The county has four wineries that are part of the Yadkin Valley Wine Appellation. Its galleries include the creations of Lexington native Bob Timberlake as well as Gallery Hall, which showcases the work of more than 75 North Carolina artists.

Contact Jamie Kennedy Jones at 373-7088 or jamie.kennedy@news-record.com