The Mysterious Brown Mountain Lights of Morganton NC
The history of the Blue Ridge Mountains is riddled with Appalachian folklore. They range from various age-old superstitions to mythical monsters such as Bigfoot, Mothman,
Things to Do at the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area (Near Linville Falls NC)
Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains are renowned for their rugged beauty, and the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area ranks among the most dynamic places to
The Top 10 Waterfalls Near Brevard NC (Transylvania County)
[Updated August 12, 2021] In a region wrought with spectacular waterfalls, no place has as many as Transylvania County, North Carolina. Encompassing 381 square miles,
Things to Do at Grandfather Mountain State Park in Banner Elk NC
For me, the monolithic majesty of Grandfather Mountain preceded itself. On a few occasions in the past, my wife Emma and I visited friends who
Things to Do at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Near Blowing Rock NC
The short stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway that runs from just east of Boone NC to just west of Blowing Rock is particularly packed with
How to Get to Hooker Falls NC (in DuPont State Forest)
[Updated August 12, 2021] If you’re looking for challenging North Carolina waterfalls to hike, Hooker Falls is probably not for you. Located between Brevard and
The Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest (Near Brevard NC)
The Cradle of Forestry in America was originally known as the Biltmore Forest School. It was founded in 1898 by Carl A. Schenck, a German
North Carolina Wildflowers Guide (& Where to See Them in Western NC)
Western North Carolina is truly stacked with natural beauty. From the misty hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the towering trees of Pisgah National
Things to Do in Elk Knob State Park Near Boone NC
There is no shortage of stunning state parks in the North Carolina mountains. We’ve been fortunate to visit a good number of them, staring up
Top 15 NC State Parks in the North Carolina Mountains
[Updated April 5, 2021] When we first moved to NC in 2017, I was beside myself envisioning the many cascading waterfalls and breathtaking vistas to
15 Highlights of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in Western North Carolina
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail (a.k.a. the MST) stretches from North Carolina’s western border with Tennessee all the way east to the Atlantic Ocean. This epic NC
The Best Things to Do in DuPont State Forest, NC
The DuPont State Recreation Forest, more commonly known as DuPont State Forest or just DuPont Forest, offers 12,000+ acres of blow-your-mind beautiful wilderness in the
The 20 Best Pisgah National Forest Hiking Trails in North Carolina
If you enjoy getting deep into the forest, exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, and looking up as gorgeous waterfalls cascade down, then Pisgah National Forest is
The 27 Best Waterfalls Near Asheville NC
[Updated August 12, 2021] Asheville’s reputation as a forward-thinking, nature-loving town in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains precedes it. Despite being only the
Cottages at Spring House Farm: Dog-Friendly Cottages in Pisgah National Forest
As professional travel writers/photographers, our trips are usually tightly packed with adventures. So much so that we often come home feeling like we need a
Pisgah National Forest: A Beginner’s Guide
Pisgah National Forest encompasses over half a million acres of the Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina. The forest is separated into three ranger districts:
The 20 Best Western North Carolina Waterfalls for Hiking
[Updated July 27, 2021] Spend any time in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina and you’ll quickly realize that waterfalls are a big
Stone Mountain, NC: State Park Camping, Hiking & History
Stone Mountain State Park (not to be confused with the famous North Georgia park) stands prominently just beyond the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge
The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in NC & VA
[Updated September 14, 2021] In our opinion, taking a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is one of the finest romantic getaways or family vacations the
Visiting Doughton Park (Blue Ridge Parkway Mile Marker 238.5 – 244.7)
Located in North Carolina between Blue Ridge Parkway mile markers 238.5 and 244.7, Doughton Park is actually the largest recreation area along the famous road.