One of the most popular Virginia State Parks, Grayson Highlands State Park is in a fantastic location. It’s set in the beautiful high country in Mouth of Wilson VA, close to some of the state’s most renowned natural wonders. Adjacent to the park are Mount Rogers, Virginia’s tallest mountain, and Whitetop Mountain, the state’s second-tallest … Read more
Located about halfway between Roanoke and Waynesboro, just over 10 miles west of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Lexington is arguably the most historic town in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Created in 1778 and named after Lexington MA (where the first shot was fired in the American Revolution), the town of around 7,500 people is home to Washington … Read more
[Updated No 16, 2024] Located in the North Carolina High Country, less than 20 miles from Boone and Blowing Rock, Banner Elk is one of the most beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain towns we’ve ever visited. Once used by the Cherokee people for hunting and fishing, the area surrounding the Elk River was settled by Martin … Read more
Located about 35 miles northeast of Asheville and 40 miles southwest of Banner Elk, the town of Burnsville NC has long lived in the shadow of its more famous neighbors. In fact, when we told a friend who lives near Boone that we were headed to Burnsville for a 4-day visit, his first reaction was, … Read more
Of the 2,000-plus miles of AT stretching up the East Coast, the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina has just under 100 miles of the world-famous trail coursing through it. Another 217 miles are shared along the Tennessee border. Nevertheless, some of the most beloved sections are part of the Appalachian Trail in NC, including Clingmans … Read more
Whether you want to spend a day hiking through scenic forests, enjoying a sun-drenched day on the lake or river, or experiencing Fall in the North GA mountains, there are numerous state parks that offer countless outdoor adventures. When your day of exploring is done, many of these Georgia State Parks offer cottage and cabin rentals. … Read more
Boone NC is perhaps best known for its iconic Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks and the easy access it offers to excellent campgrounds, hiking, snow tubing, and downhill skiing options. But thanks to the area’s continual growth, in recent years Boone has also become home to a number of popular breweries that are frequented by locals and … Read more
From the minute I first step foot onto the trail at Raven Cliff Falls, hear Dodd Creek flowing nearby, and see how quickly the forest swallows me, my breathing begins to normalize. I know I’m in for some breathless moments on this moderate hiking trail in North Georgia, but my immersion into the forest canopy … Read more
In addition to being one of the best Western NC small towns to live in, Boone NC is also a haven for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers of all ability levels. So naturally the area is home to a surplus of Boone campgrounds, ranging in comfort levels from primitive backcountry campsites to luxury glamping. Each … Read more
Traversing 2,190+ miles in the Appalachian Mountains across 14 different states, 8 national forests, and 6 national parks, the Appalachian Trail is one of the most iconic and popular hiking trails in the world. Because of its incredible length, it typically takes adventurous thru-hikers 5 to 7 months to tackle the entire trail. And while … Read more
