[Updated 9/20/2024] Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the town of Burnsville NC, Mount Mitchell looms large above the surrounding area. Rising to an impressive 6,684 feet above sea level, Mt Mitchell is both the highest point in North Carolina and the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River. The desire to … Read more
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
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
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
Hungry Mother State Park is one of the six original Virginia State Parks in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It includes over 3,300 acres of wilderness, as well as a 108-acre mountain lake. The park’s unusual name comes from the legend of a pioneer woman, Molly Marley, and her child. After being captured by Native Americans, … Read more
Located about 55 miles northeast of Asheville NC at milepost 316.4, Linville Falls is perhaps the most famous of the many waterfalls on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The waterfall’s popularity is largely due to the ease with which it can be reached. But it also offers amazing geological formations, a spectacular three-tiered dance down to Linville Gorge, … Read more
Asheville, North Carolina is a special place where the excitement of city life and the thrill of outdoor adventure collide to offer a Blue Ridge mountain town with a seemingly endless list of things to do. In the city, there are countless critically-acclaimed restaurants, an impressive number of quality breweries, and the bustling cultural hotspot … Read more
[Updated December 28, 2021] Asheville NC’s reputation as a forward-thinking, nature-loving town in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains precedes it. Despite being only the 12th largest city in the state, Asheville still ranks among the most popular tourist destinations in North Carolina. In addition to the famous Biltmore Estate, the mountain town has … Read more
The waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest rank among the best waterfalls in Western North Carolina. Some of their cascades plummet over 100 feet, pushing thousands of gallons of water per minute into crystalline pools. Pisgah NF occupies over half a million acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, stretching from the border with Virginia in the … Read more
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
