40 NC Mountain Towns Officially Open to Visitors (As of 10/29/24)

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Those of you who follow our BRMTG Facebook page know we’ve been keeping active tabs on the recovery efforts of the myriad Blue Ridge Mountain towns that were negatively impacted by Hurricane Helene.

It has only been a few weeks since the devastating storm wreaked havoc in the region, with historic flooding and landslides impacting dozens of our favorite North Carolina towns. 

Thankfully there has been a rush of great news lately, including countless donations to recovery efforts, the reopening of 200 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, the reopening of the Nantahala National Forest, and washed-out roads being repaired at a breakneck pace. 

But what we’re hearing from our friends all around Western NC is that there’s another urgent threat to their livelihoods: It’s peak tourist season, their restaurants, shops, and other attractions have reopened, but there are virtually no visitors coming!

We understand why people are nervous about the prospect of visiting a disaster zone, and how the initial messages of “STAY AWAY” may have led people to travel elsewhere. 

But now there are dozens of tourist towns in NC that are actively welcoming visitors, and the vast majority of roads to reach them are open (visit DriveNC.gov for current updates on road closures in the state).

So here we present our guide to ALL of the incorporated NC mountain towns that are officially open to visitors (meaning we’ve confirmed with local officials that they’re ready), which desperately need your patronage to keep their businesses alive. 

We urge you to share this post with anyone who may be interested in visiting North Carolina, and to check back for further updates as more NC mountain towns reopen for the holidays.

These beloved destinations need our support now, more than ever! 

READ MORE: The 20 Best North Carolina Mountain Towns to Visit

 

NC Mountain Towns Visitors Guide

  1. Ashe County – West Jefferson, Jefferson, Lansing
  2. Alleghany County – Sparta 
  3. Avery County- Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain
  4. Buncombe County – Asheville, Black Mountain, Weaverville
  5. Burke County – Morganton
  6. Cherokee County – Murphy, Andrews
  7. Clay County – Hayesville
  8. Haywood County – Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Canton, Clyde
  9. Henderson County – Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Saluda
  10. Graham County – Robbinsville, Fontana Dam
  11. Jackson County – Cashiers, Cherokee/Qualla Boundary, Sylva, Dillsboro, Cullowhee
  12. Macon County – Franklin, Highlands
  13. McDowell County- Marion
  14. Surry County – Mount Airy, Elkin
  15. Swain County – Bryson City
  16. Transylvania County – Brevard, Rosman
  17. Watauga County – Blowing Rock, Boone
  18. Wilkes County – Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro

 

Ashe County

West Jefferson NC Main Street
West Jefferson NC Main Street

West Jefferson, Jefferson & Lansing

Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, West Jefferson NC has earned a place amount the most quaint towns in North Carolina for more than a century now.

It started as a railroad town in 1909, but over the last few decades its main industry has shifted from lumber to an art scene steeped in Blue Ridge Mountainculture and a revitalized, pedestrian-friendly downtown.

There are lots of community-focused attractions and events—including farmers markets, corn mazes, concerts, and gallery crawls— to keep the atmosphere lively.

The Mount Jefferson State Natural Area is nearby, as is New River State Park. Neighboring towns such as Jefferson and Lansing are also currently open and welcoming visitors! 

READ MORE: The 20 Best Pumpkin Patches in the NC Mountains

 

Alleghany County

Sparta, NC Small Towns
Alleghany County Courthouse in Sparta NC, photo by Brent Moore via CC BY-NC 2.0

Sparta

Offering a real step into small town North Carolina, Sparta is nestled in the NC High Country, just 5 miles south of the Virginia border.

Though tiny, the town has great places to eat, a good live music scene, easy access to parks (Stone Mountain, New River, Mount Jefferson, and Elk Knob), and close proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

There’s even a Main Street coffee house, and a killer used bookstore.

Local Spartans tend to enjoy their outdoor festivals, particularly when they involve live music, a bit of dancing, and something tasty to eat.

READ MORE: The Top 20 Fall Festivals in the North Carolina Mountains

 

Avery County

Beech Mountain & Sugar Mountain 

Reopening to visitors just in time for the Christmas holidays, Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain are just 10 miles apart, and both rank among the best places for snow skiing in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Sitting at 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain offers golf, hiking, and mountain biking in Summer, and The Land of Oz (a quirky Wizard of Oz theme park) in Autumn. But come Winter, it’s all about the snow!

There are 17 ski trails at the resort (including “The Park” for practicing your skills on different terrains), a 7,000-sq foot outdoor ice skating rink, and a free snow tubing hill for kids. It’s also a fantastic place to celebrate Christmas!

Sugar Mountain feels more like a large village than a true town, but it’s the largest ski resort in NC and offers up beautiful mountain views, gurgling streams, and lots of things to do all year round. 

Sugar Mountain Resort has 8 ski lifts servicing 21 slopes and 125 acres of skiing terrain, and averages about 70 inches of snow each year. With an early bump from snow machines around Thanksgiving, their ski season generally extends into March.

 READ MORE: The 6 Best North Carolina Ski Resorts to Visit

 

Buncombe County

Visiting Asheville, NC in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Asheville NC at twilight

Asheville & Black Mountain

The largest town in Western NC (population 95,000), Asheville took major damage from Hurricane Helene. But with the exception of the River Arts District and Biltmore Village, it is now open to visitors again!

Asheville is home to the Blue Ridge Parkway HQ, tons of top-notch restaurants, world-class craft breweries, and fantastic attractions like the Biltmore Estate, Grove Park Inn, and NC Arboretum.

Outdoor adventure is a big priority for the Asheville crowd, including mountain biking in Pisgah Forest and great hiking trails and waterfalls in every direction. 

There are so many great things to do in Asheville, we’ve visited dozens of times and never get bored. But if you’re in the mood for a day trip, the neighboring town of Black Mountain is also now open to visitors.

READ MORE: 10 Fun Things to Do During Fall in Asheville NC

Waterfall in Weaverville NC
Waterfall in Weaverville NC photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Weaverville

Buncombe County towns like Black Mountain and Swannanoa saw some of the worst devastation  from Helene. But Weaverville was largely spared from the destruction. 

Located 8 miles north of Asheville, Weaverville has been a welcoming community for over a century, acting as a resort destination away from the hustle and bustle of the neighboring metropolis.

Though the fine hotels of the 1930s have long since been shut, B&Bs are commonplace here, and hospitality continues to thrive in Weaverville.

The town also boasts a great arts and music scene, gorgeous municipal parks, and a weekly tailgate market held in town from April through October.

READ MORE: The 10 Best North Carolina Mountain Resorts to Visit

 

Burke County

N&W 611 Train at Morganton, NC Station
Train in Morganton NC, photo by Cory Claxon via CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Morganton

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains (about 22 miles east of Marion), Morganton NC is one of the truly quaint small cities in North Carolina.

Morganton’s population is pushing 20,000 these days, but the place has the classic Downtown main street set-up we love in our mountain towns.

Catawba Falls and Lake James are nearby, as are numerous breweries and wineries.

Morganton is a good place to shop for antiques, and it’s big enough to have all the amenities you’d expect from a full-blown suburb.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Fairs in North Carolina to Visit

 

Cherokee County

Winding Mountain Road in Murphy NC
Murphy NC, photo via CherokeeCounty-NC.gov

Murphy & Andrews

Established in 1839, Murphy NC ranks among the most historic small mountain towns in NC, and many of its buildings have been restored to their original splendor.

Located near the state’s southern border (just 20-25 miles from popular Georgia mountain towns such as Blairsville and Blue Ridge), Murphy is the Cherokee County seat, but has less than 2,000 residents.

Despite its small size, there are lots of good eateries and shops to explore in the historic downtown area, and Hiwassee Lake offers great fishing, mountain biking, hiking, camping and so forth.

Tiny Andrews NC is 16 miles northeast of Murphy, offering a tranquil vibe, rich Native American history, and historic buildings like the Franklin Pierce Cover House, First Baptist Church, and Walker’s Inn.

READ MORE: The 10 Best Lakes in the North Carolina Mountains to Visit

 

Clay County

Historic Town Square in Hayesville NC-LEAD
Historic Clay County Courthouse, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Hayesville

Located near the northern shores of Lake Chatuge (just 10 miles north of Hiawassee GA), Hayesville NC is a tiny mountain town with a population of less than 500 people. 

With the Hiwassee River cutting through the town, the South Appalachian Mississippian culture built an earthen platform mound here around 1,000 CE/AD. Cherokee people later built a town known as Quanassee on top of the mound, and had several hundred inhabitants living there by 1550.  

The Spikebuck Town Mound & Village Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and today the town has more Cherokee landmarks than any town we’ve visited outside the Qualla Boundary.

In addition to its charming downtown area, noteworthy attractions in Hayesville include the Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area, Clay County Historical & Arts Museum, and nearby John C. Campbell Folk School.

READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Hayesville NC

 

Haywood County

Maggie Valley NC Seen From Ghost Town in the Sky
Maggie Valley NC seen from Ghost Town in the Sky photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Maggie Valley

Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, Maggie Valley is one of the best small mountain towns in NC for those who don’t mind when things get a bit tourist-y.

While the mountain town of 1,200 residents has plenty of personality and quirkiness, much of that is now pinned on a welcome sign for tourists.

Naturally, Maggie Valley has embraced its convenient location (to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and plenty more), added attractions, and invited everyone to enjoy.

Check out Dale’s Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum, live music/dancing at Stompin’ Ground, the Cataloochee Ski Area, and guided tours with Scenic Tours & Rentals. 

READ MORE: The 15 Best Treehouse Rentals in the North Carolina Mountains

Bluegrass Statues on the Waynesville Public Art Trail
Bluegrass Statues in Downtown Waynesville, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Waynesville, Canton & Clyde

I have a soft spot in my heart for Waynesville because I’m related to founder Colonel Robert Love. So we were thankful that, other than the Frog Level Historic District, much of the town was spared Helene’s wrath.

The town is rich with culture and history, including the Folkmoot Friendship Center, Haywood Arts Regional Theater (a.k.a. HART), Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts/Shelton House, and a public art trail. 

It’s surrounded by natural beauty, including Waynesville Greenway Park, Lake Junaluska, the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains, and the Shining Rock Wilderness. 

If you get tired of exploring all the cool Waynesville restaurants, museums, and shops, the neighboring towns of Canton and Clyde offer a more down-home small town vibe and an array of outdoor attractions. 

READ MORE:  The 20 Best Things to Do in Waynesville NC & Haywood County

 

Henderson County

Main St in Downtown Hendersonville NC
Main St in Downtown Hendersonville NC by Bret Love and Mary Gabbett

Hendersonville, Flat Rock & Saluda

One of our favorite NC mountain towns, Hendersonville is located 22 miles south of Asheville and boasts a beautiful, walkable downtown area packed with excellent restaurants and worldly shops.

Downtown Hendo is also stuffed with attractions, including the Henderson County Heritage Museum, the Appalachian Pinball Museum, and the Team ECCO Aquarium & Shark Lab. 

But the town also has a more rural agricultural side, which is home to an array of awesome apple orchards, pumpkin farms, wineries, and the Historic Johnson Farm. 

When we visit Hendersonville, we usually spend a day in Flat Rock, with boasts a historic district (on the National Register), the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, and the historic Flat Rock Playhouse.

We’ve never been t0 the tiny town of Saluda, which is near the NC/SC state line, but we’ve heard good things!

READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Hendersonville NC

 

Graham County

Snowbird Community Mural in Robbinsville NC
Snowbird Community Mural in Robbinsville NC photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Robbinsville & Fontana Dam

Robbinsville is small, somewhat sleepy (which we love), and isolated near the TN border, where it’s surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest and bordered by Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There’s an impressive assortment of Robbinsville NC attractions, including Lake Santeetlah, the Tail of the Dragon, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, the Cheoah Dam (a.k.a. The Fugitive dam), and more. 

And while there aren’t a ton of hotels in Robbinsville to choose from, the Historic Tapoco Lodge (which is located right on the Cheoah River) is a perfect place for romantic getaways.

Staying there puts you close to the neighboring town of Fontana Dam, which centers around the Lake Fontana Dam & Visitors Center and the Fontana Village Resort & Marina, which make for an EXCELLENT day trip!

READ MORE: The 10 Best Things To Do in Robbinsville NC & Graham County

 

Jackson County

Whiteside Mountain- Things to Do in Cashiers NC Lead
Whiteside Mountain in Cashiers NC photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Cashiers

Located on a high plateau, Cashiers is a small resort town bordered by the Panthertown Valley section of Nantahala National Forest, which offers a slew of lovely mountain streams, hiking trails, and waterfalls.

The town itself centers around the gorgeous Village Green, and offers a small lake, some great restaurants and breweries, boutiques, and vacation rentals. 

Our favorite nearby attractions include Lake Glenville (which is lined with waterfalls and multi-million dollar homes), Upper Whitewater Falls, Gorges State Park, and Whiteside Mountain. 

There’s also the unincorporated community of Sapphire, home to Sapphire Valley, one of the best NC ski resorts for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing

READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Cashiers NC

Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee NC
Museum of the Cherokee Indian, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Cherokee/Qualla Boundary

Located right outside the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the town of Cherokee NC is part  of the Qualla Boundary, the federally recognized territory of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

The area offers amazing sites devoted to Cherokee history and culture, including The Museum of the Cherokee People, Qualla Arts & Crafts, the Oconaluftee Indian Village, and the “Unto These Hills” outdoor drama.

There are also natural attractions such as Mingo Falls, the Oconaluftee River, Oconaluftee Island Park, and lots of Elk hanging out near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum.

If you’re looking to visit for a weekend getaway, Cherokee also has Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and a full fleet of other hotels, resorts, cabins and campgrounds to stay in. 

READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Cherokee NC & the Qualla Boundary

Overview of the Town of Dillsboro NC
Overview of the Town of Dillsboro NC, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Dillsboro

A tiny tourist town from way back, Dillsboro was a stop for the early trains that ran through Western NC.

Residents today have done their best to keep it authentic and, in doing so, kept the storefronts and shops historic and rustic, as well as filled with local artisans. There are also plenty of good eateries to enjoy.

Dillsboro hosts several festivals throughout the year, including spring and fall arts festivals and a killer Christmas luminary display.

The town is also less than an hour’s drive away from the Nantahala National Forest, Pisgah National Forest, and  Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina

 
View of Downtown from Jackson County Courthouse, one of the Best Things to Do in Sylva NC
Downtown Sylva NC, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Sylva

Picturesque Sylva NC is a colorful, eclectic college town that we fell in love with due to its stellar location (less than 20 minutes from Bryson City, Cherokee & Waynesville) and exceptional natural beauty.

In addition to being the seat of Jackson County, the town is replete with fantastic restaurants, artsy and antique shops, a brewery, and a stunning historic courthouse building high on a hill overlooking downtown.

As with many of the small towns in Western NC, there are plenty of outdoor attractions nearby, including waterfalls, hiking trails, and lakes.

We also enjoyed the neighboring town of Cullowhee, which is home to Western Carolina University, the Mountain Heritage Center, and ancient petroglyphs at Judacullah Rock.

 

Macon County

Downtown Franklin NC - best small towns in North Carolina to live in
Downtown Franklin NC photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Franklin

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin NC is known as the “Gem Capital of the World.” The Cowee Valley lures thousands of annual visitors interested in trying their hand at gem mining

With a population of just over 4,100, Franklin is considered a great place to live because of its mild climate, relatively low cost of living, rural location, and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. 

Some of the most popular natural attractions in Franklin NC include the Appalachian Trail, the Nantahala National Forest, and the array of stunning waterfalls along the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway.

But there are also great attractions right in town, such as the Little Tennessee River Greenway, Nikwasi Indian Mound, Scottish Tartans Museum & Heritage Center, and an array of Franklin restaurants.

READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Franklin NC & Macon County

Fall in Highlands, NC
Fall in Highlands NC, photo by Greg Newington

Highlands

Located just a few hours north of Atlanta, the posh tourist town of Highlands NC feels like a world away.

Highlands is famed for its cool summers (due to its 4,100-ft elevation) and great golf courses. But because it’s located in the Nantahala National Forest, the town is no slouch for natural wonders either.

You’ll find several stunning waterfalls (Bridal Veil Falls and Dry Falls) nearby, and plenty of great hiking trails and fishing spots as well.

For culturally-minded travelers, there are also 4 performing arts theaters in town!

READ MORE: The 20 Best Western North Carolina Waterfalls for Hiking

 

McDowell County 

Aerial View of Downtown Marion NC
Downtown Marion NC, photo via Marion NC.org

Marion

Founded in 1844 and named after Revolutionary War hero Brigadier General Francis Marion (known as “Swamp Fox” for his guerrilla warfare tactics), Marion NC was the second NC mountain town we ever visited.

The town is probably best known for Lake James State Park, which is a few miles north of town and has served as a backdrop for films like The Last of the Mohicans and The Hunt for Red October

Marion’s Main Street Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with historic sites such as the former home of Sgt. Daniel Kanipe (one of two survivors of the Battle of Little Bighorn), the Joseph McDowell House (built in 1787 by the county’s namesake), and The Carson House (which served as the original McDowell County Courthouse).

Recognized as “North Carolina Small Town of the Year” in 2018, Downtown Marion has seen resurgence in the years since we visited, with lots of new shops, restaurants, and taprooms opening along Main Street. 

READ MORE: The Top 15 NC State Parks in the North Carolina Mountains

 

Surry County

Andy Griffith Mount Airy
Mayberry Courthouse in Mount Airy, photo by Emma Gallagher

Mount Airy

Mount Airy is most famous for native son Andy Griffith. It was the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry RFD.

Some 60 years later, backwoods “Mayberry NC” (which has grown to 10,000+ residents) has become the cosmopolitan hub of Surry County NC, with a diverse array of nostalgic attractions.

Historic Downtown Mount Airy offers plenty of late 1800s/early 1900s architecture, great antique stores, and restaurants for every appetite, from sushi to pork chop sandwiches.

There’s also locally made wine, the actual Floyd’s Barber Shop, the Andy Griffith Museum, and a cool collection of al fresco art scattered about town.

 
Header - Elkin NC
The Reeves Theatre in Downtown Elkin NC by Emma Gallagher

Elkin

Located between Stone Mountain State Park and Pilot Mountain State Park, about 35 miles south of the Virginia border the town of Elkin NC is a wonderful spot.

The picturesque countryside around Elkin is dotted with dozens of vineyards and wineries, golf courses, and off-the-beaten-path fishing holes.

Historic Downtown Elkin has quaint, old-timey architecture with a good choice of restaurants (Angry Troll Brewing, Southern on Main, The Reeves), antique shops, and a Folk Art Center.

There’s also a fantastic town park and recreation center—Elkin Municipal Park—that has a pool, tennis courts, hiking, biking trails, and several historic sites.

READ MORE:  The 15 Best Things to Do in Elkin NC & the Yadkin Valley

 

Swain County

Sunrise in Bryson City NC
Sunrise in Bryson City NC, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Bryson City

Surrounded by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Lake Fontana, and the Nantahala National Forest, Bryson City NC is a small town with all the outdoor attractions and activities you could possibly want. 

From major attractions like the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and Nantahala Outdoor Center to Deep Creek, the Road to Nowhere, and the Tuckasegee River, there’s something for everyone here. 

Downtown Bryson City is one of the most charming mountain towns we’ve visited, with adorable shops, sensational restaurants, several museums, and the Appalachian Rivers Aquarium. 

There’s also a whole host of spectacular waterfalls, important historic sites, great fly-fishing for trout, and a fantastic array of hiking trails nearby. 

READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Bryson City NC & Swain County

 

Transylvania County

Transylvania County Courthouse in Downtown Brevard NC
Transylvania County Courthouse in Downtown Brevard, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Brevard & Rosman

Known as “the Land of Waterfalls” for its many dazzling cascades, the town of Brevard NC boasts a temperate climate, dozens of critically acclaimed restaurants, great museums, and a rich cultural scene, 

Compared to many of the other mountain towns in Western NC, Brevard has a hip, youthful vibe, thanks to the proximity of the Brevard College campus.

As a result, the town boasts a mixture of natural and cultural attractions, including great breweries & cideries, Bracken Preserve, Brevard Music Center, the Cradle of Forestry in America, and Lake Toxaway. 

It’s also surrounded by natural beauty, including DuPont State Recreational Forest, the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway, Pisgah National Forest, and numerous rivers for fishing, kayaking, and rafting. 

Rosman is a VERY small town (pop: 700) just west of Brevard, on the eastern boundary of Pisgah National Forest, with the French Broad River running right through it. 

READ MORE: The Top 15 Waterfalls Near Brevard NC (Transylvania County)

 
 

Watauga County

Elk at Timberlakes Restaurant in Blowing Rock NC
Patio at Hellbender Restaurant, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Blowing Rock

This popular town was named after The Blowing Rock attraction, an iconic geological formation that provides sensational views of the many surrounding summits, forest, and the Johns River Gorge.

Downtown Blowing Rock is home to an extensive assortment of other attractions, including great restaurants, several fine museums, a gorgeous city park, Mystery Hill, and much more.

And with the Blue Ridge Parkway just a few minutes away, Blowing Rock makes a great base for exploring the area, with nearby highlights like Julian Price Memorial Park, Moses Cone Memorial Park, and Rough Ridge.

It’s home to one of our favorite NC mountain resorts, Chetola, plus lots of hotels and rental cabins.

READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Blowing Rock NC

Downtown Boone, NC
Downtown Boone, NC by Dawson Tozier

Boone

Reimagining what we think of as the classic mountain town, Boone NC (pop. 18,000+) is widely recognized as one of the best small cities in North Carolina.

Best known as home to Appalachian State University, Boone has all the hip youthfulness of a college town, including concert halls, breweries, trendy restaurants, and entertainment venues.

In addition to the urban amenities of Downtown Boone, there’s also easy access to nearby hiking trailswaterfalls, and campgrounds

When the holiday season comes around, Boone Christmas Tree Farms are some of the best places to get a real tree in North Carolina, and there’s a fun holiday celebration at the family-friendly Tweetsie Railroad attraction. 

READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Boone NC

 

Wilkes County

Downtown Wilkesboro NC courtesy Wilkes County Tourism
Downtown Wilkesboro NC, photo courtesy Wilkes County Tourism

Wilkesboro & North Wilkesboro

Located between Boone and Winston Salem, Wilkes County was once known as the “Moonshine Capital of the World,” and was a leading producer of homemade liquor during the Prohibition era.

So it’s no surprise Wilkes was among the birthplaces of stock-car racing, and the North Wilkesboro Speedway was the first NASCAR track. It was reopened (for the first time since 1996) after an $18 million renovation in 2022. 

Wilkesboro is the county seat, but North Wilkesboro has a larger slice of the 65,000+ population, and the Yadkin River runs right through the center of the county. 

Major attractions in the area include the Blue Ridge Parkway, the W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir, Stone Mountain State Park, the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame, and an array of distilleries and wineries. –by Bret Love & Jonathon Engels; lead image of Downtown Asheville NC courtesy of Thomas Mabry

Leave No Trace logo

We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about the Leave No Trace principles of responsible environmental stewardship. 

Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. 

Remember that waterfalls and rocky summits can be dangerous. Never try to climb waterfalls or get close to a ledge to get a selfie.

When you're exploring the wilderness, it's better to be safe than to be a statistic!

The BRMTG was created by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett, the award-winning team behind the world-renowned responsible travel website Green Global Travel. Born and raised in North Georgia, Editor-In-Chief Bret Love grew up hiking and camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains with his family. A professional writer/editor since 1995, he's covered travel and culture for 100+ publications, including American Way, Destination Marriott, Georgia Travel Guide, National Geographic, and Southbound. In 2010 he co-founded the award-winning website, Green Global Travel, which is ranked among the world's top travel blogs. Since launching BRMTG in 2020, he and Mary Gabbett have visited 50+ Blue Ridge Mountain towns together. Though she lived in NYC for 14 years, photographer/Business Manager Mary Gabbett's family has Georgia roots dating back 200+ years. Her great-grandfather was President of the Western Railroad of Alabama. Before moving to Atlanta in 1989, she fell in love with the North GA mountains, where her aunt owned a cabin. In 2010 she co-founded Green Global Travel, and has since traveled to more than 40 countries on six continents. Her photos have appeared in numerous travel publications (including National Geographic and Southbound) and various textbooks.