NC Mountain Destinations 

North Carolina is not only home to some of the best beaches on the east coast, but also some of the most beautiful mountain ranges. Check out some of these North Carolina mountain destinations to start planning your next trip.

Asheville
A part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the town of Asheville is not only filled with many scenic destinations, but is a town filled with rich history allowing for many beautiful tourist attractions. 

There are so many recreational activities to get you moving inside the surrounding parks such as hiking, fishing, star gazing, water sports, camping, and MORE! The hiking is what brings some of the most scenic views of Asheville and there are so many locations that offer a different experience.

Mountain-Top Views

 

Waterfall Hikes

 

Just a quick trip away in Cataloochee valley, there is also an amazing experience to pack your favorite picnic snacks and enjoy the sight of the valley watching out for the 900 lb elk that roams the land. 

If you love to venture off the land, there are a ton of opportunities for you to enjoy water sports and different guides. Enjoy a day at the Lake Lure beach, white water raft with blue heron, tube down some of the most historic rivers, and more!

Asheville is also home to the infamous Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore Estate is a gorgeous mansion filled with so much North Carolina history for those to walk around and explore the sights it offers. After exploring, you can visit the Biltmore villages for some shopping and enjoying the local food. 

 

Blowing Rock
Located in the Blue Ridge Parkway, blowing rock is a quaint mountain town offering tons to do such as water sports, horseback riding, hiking and biking, shopping, and so much more. 

Trails traveling from the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway all seem to cross paths into the town of Blowing Rock. They offer serene mountain top hikes, gorgeous waterfall views, and hikes that are family friendly for those with children. Julian Price park is another sight of blowing rock and is a great way to hang out on the water canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding and enjoying the sights around you. 

Depending on the time of year you go, blowing rock is also home to the Appalachian Ski Mountain. This ski destination offers ski and snowboarding lessons, as well as an outdoor ice rink!

 

Great Smoky Mountains
This famous mountain range stretches across the North Carolina border and Tennessee! It is home to some of the most beautiful rivers and lakes, captivating mountain views and so many outdoor activities to enjoy. 

The Pisgah National Forest is what makes up the majority of the Great Smoky Mountain experience in North Carolina. The major parks that make up this mountain experience include

  • Shining Rock Wilderness
  • Cradle of Forestry
  • Sliding Rock 
  • Max Patch
  • Dupont State Forest

 

A unique experience within the North Carolina Great Smoky Mountains is their gem mining experience. This experience allows you to indulge yourself in North Carolina history and find many natural wonders of the great smoky mountains.

Another unique experience is the zip-lining adventures you can find within the Great Smoky Mountains. Capture your own birds-eye view of the range and take in all the beautiful sights of the variety of wildlife that the mountains have to offer. 

 

Stone Mountain
The small town of Sparta, North Carolina is located right outside Stone Mountain State Park. Stone Mountain State Park is a 14,000 acre park that brings in a ton of attraction from people all throughout the east coast. 

There is a lot of history tied into the park and while hiking, you can stumble upon the old Hutchinson Homestead with the original log cabin and other buildings with original furnishing. 

The mountain’s cultural exhibit is also a huge part of the state park and is a place to explore and view historical artifacts. 

While hiking the park you can also stumble upon Widows Peak. Similar to the infamous Sliding Rock, this is a small waterfall that you’re able to swim in and tube down and is perfect for families with kids of all ages. Just a few miles north you can also venture into Virginia to enjoy tubing down the new river and enjoying the mountain ranges.