[Updated January 3, 2024] Though the tourist season may have its peaks and valleys, the North Carolina mountains are truly a nature-lover’s playground 365 days a year. But you could make an argument that winter is the most magical time to visit the mountains of North Carolina. The crowds are smaller, the rates are cheaper, and … Read more
Summer in North Carolina is simply glorious, with lots of lakes, swimming holes, river tubing, and waterfalls to explore. And the spectacular beauty of fall in North Carolina is truly breathtaking. But winter in NC most certainly does not spell the end of all the outdoor fun. The climate of North Carolina is quite varied, and the … Read more
Tips for the best campgrounds in the North Carolina mountains, with info on campground facilities as wells as nearby trails & attractions.
[Updated 9/16/22] The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains may not have the jaw-dropping 13,000- to 14,000-foot peaks you’ll find in the Rockies of Colorado or Utah, but there are actually numerous great places to go snow skiing in North Carolina. There are impressive options for skiing near Asheville, not to mention top-flight North Carolina ski resorts … Read more
From a visitor’s standpoint, Bryson City is the ideal of what Western NC small towns can be: It’s walkable, wild, and packed with a mixture of wonder and whimsy. The town is perched on the southern boundary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a few miles from Lake Fontana, and just as near to Nantahala National Forest. … Read more
[Updated Sept 19, 2024] Straddling the boundary of North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses over 500,000 acres and is the most visited of all the U.S. National Parks. Part of it is located in the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee people, who occupied the territory prior to the 1830s … Read more
Whether you have your own horses or are new to riding horses, these are the top places for horseback riding in (and near) Asheville NC.
[Updated Sept 3, 2022] It’s not difficult to understand why so many people love taking getaways to the Blue Ridge Mountains, which stretch 550 miles from North Georgia to southern Pennsylvania. From hiking trails that lead to sensational scenic vistas and breathtaking waterfalls to pastoral valleys filled with wildflowers and wildlife, there’s something mesmerizing about exploring this … Read more
Cherokee, North Carolina is a town that’s immensely rich in culture and history, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s no wonder that more than 4 million people visit Cherokee NC each year to explore all the natural beauty and man-made attractions the area has to offer. Cherokee is home to the … Read more
Asheville NC is one of our favorite Blue Ridge Mountain towns to visit, and it shouldn’t be difficult to understand why. It’s a truly a nature-lover’s playground, surrounded by ecotourism attractions such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Linville Falls, Mount Mitchell, and the 500,000-acre Pisgah National Forest. Of course the city itself also has a lot … Read more
