When most people think of U.S. National Parks, they tend to think of epic attractions like the Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. But in reality the National Park Service manages more than 423 individual units covering more than 85 million acres in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and various US … Read more
Located just south of Boone, Blowing Rock is a tourism-driven North Carolina mountain town known as the “Crown of the Blue Ridge Mountains.” The town was named after The Blowing Rock attraction, a unique geological formation that offers spectacular views of the surrounding scenery. People come to see The Blowing Rock as well as other major … Read more
Pisgah National Forest offers more than half a million acres of wilderness to explore, stretching from near the southernmost reaches of Western North Carolina to the northern border. The National Forest is split into three ranger districts. The Pisgah District encompasses areas south of Asheville, the Grandfather District includes areas near Grandfather Mountain State Park … Read more
[Updated March 26, 2022] From the soaring summits of Blood Mountain and Brasstown Bald to the cascades of enchanting waterfalls like Anna Ruby and Amicalola, there’s no shortage of impressive natural attractions and things to do in North Georgia. The terrain of the state’s dynamic Blue Ridge Mountains are filled with beauty and plenty of … Read more
Everyone has their favorite North Georgia State Parks, whether it’s the massive gorge and waterfalls of Cloudland Canyon or the far-ranging Blue Ridge Mountain vistas of Black Rock Mountain. But if you’re interested in state parks primarily for camping, hiking, or history, Fort Mountain State Park deserves to be right up there at the top … Read more
Located at an elevation of 2,825 feet, with a total area of 1.598 square miles, Burnsville is a relatively small North Carolina mountain town surrounded by some of the largest peaks in the eastern United States. Standing in the shadow of the 6,684-foot-tall Mount Mitchell and located 20 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Burnsville … Read more
Stretching from Alabama and North Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian mountain range was formed millions of years ago before being settled by Native Americans and, later, Scots-Irish, English, German, and Polish immigrants. Since settling in the mountains in the 18th and 19th centuries, Appalachian people have developed a unique blend of cultures that has its own … Read more
One of the oldest Blue Ridge Mountain towns in Georgia, Dahlonega has grown into a major tourism hotspot in the North Georgia mountains. Originally best known as the site of the 1828 Georgia Gold Rush, Dahlonega is now beloved for its diverse array of outdoor activities, historical attractions, festivals, shops, restaurants, and wineries! It’s also … Read more
For those looking to take on a unique physical challenge, dive into some mental clarity, and explore a beautiful state, we’ve assembled a great list of the best hikes in North Carolina. The worldwide 52 Hike Challenge encourages participants to tackle 52 hiking trails over the course of the year, essentially completing one a week. But … Read more
The Rock Garden in Calhoun, Georgia was intended to be a quick stop on our way home after spending several days in Cloudland Canyon State Park and James H Floyd State Park. We didn’t know much about the place, other than the fact that it was a quirky attraction, and it was located about 7 … Read more
