The Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina are brimming with adventures of all kinds, and you are invited to come explore them all. From crashing waterfalls and sweeping vistas to small-town main streets blooming with locally crafted flavors, there are countless ways to experience this place, known as McDowell County.
Here are 25 of the top things to see, do, and explore in the Blue Ridge Mountains this summer.
1. Choose your basecamp for adventure
However you choose to set up camp — pitching a tent, booking a room, or renting a mountain cabin — the welcoming towns in McDowell County are the perfect place to call home during your mountain adventures. Convenient to Interstates 40 and 26, as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway, your basecamp will have the best of all worlds: great food, local culture, and warm hospitality in town, plus easy access to the outdoors.
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2. Explore the historic downtown Marion, where you will find local restaurants and boutique shops. Learn about local history at the Historic Carson House, and stroll along the Catawba River on the Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway. Once you are done, enjoy a pint of beer at Mica Town Brewing.
3. The town of Old Fort, once the western frontier of European settlement in North Carolina, is now a mountain biking destination. Start the day with breakfast at Seeker Coffee before exploring the new Old Fort Gateway Trails, a growing network of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Get a glimpse of settler life at the Mountain Gateway Museum, and spend the evening at Hillman Beer or Whaley Farm Brewery.
4. Lake James State Park and the nearby town of Nebo offer laid-back lake options for your getaway, whether you prefer water activities such as boating, swimming, and fishing, or to enjoy the beauty of this mountain waterway from dry trails.
5. Embrace the alpine views in Little Switzerland, a resort town with Old World style. Treat yourself to the barbecue, and take in handmade fine arts and crafts.
6. The Linville Falls community is home to some of the most notable natural features in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Explore the trails around Linville Falls to see this three-tiered waterfall from several angles. Hike amid the technical terrain of Linville Gorge, also known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Explore a subterranean attraction at Linville Caverns, where you can walk inside Humpback Mountain.
7. Outdoor exploration in Pisgah National Forest
Pisgah National Forest stretches for more than half a million acres of hardwood forests and rivers and is a habitat for a range of plants and animals. With hundreds of miles of trails, there is plenty to explore.
8. Hunt for waterfalls of all shapes and sizes. From the 60-foot vertical plunge of Crabtree Falls to the four-tiered Setrock Creek Falls, many of the most popular waterfall hikes are family-friendly.
9. For mountain biking enthusiasts, the local Blue Ridge trails offer challenging rides and forest scenery. Cyclists will find a switchbacked climb and descent at Kitsuma Peak. Another option is the paved Point Lookout Trail.
10. Enjoy a night under the stars when you camp at a Blue Ridge campground. From family campgrounds with playgrounds to RV parks to small cabins along the river, there is a Blue Ridge Mountains camping experience for many types of visitors.
11. Visitors who like birding will find options for birding in the Blue Ridge. This region is home to year-round resident birds and is a flyover area for additional migrating species.
12. Floating down a mountain river on an innertube is one way to keep cool in the summer and see the flora and fauna. Catawba River Outdoors offers rental tubes and shuttle rides, or you can bring your own tube to Greenlee Park, where there is parking, picnic tables, and river access.
13. Hit the trail to choose your own hiking route in any season. The Blue Ridge hiking guide lists local trails and includes a hiking map.
14. The region’s streams contain wild brook, rainbow, and brown trout. It is an option for fly fishers of different levels. Be sure to read up on local regulations before heading to the river.
15. Book a tee time and play 18 holes on the golf course. Golfers will find views at the Marion Lake Club Golf Course. You can also play disc golf at North Cove Leisure Club.
16. Search for buried treasure as you explore local history. Learn about North Carolina’s gem mining past at Emerald Village, where you can tour an underground mine and also look for gems at the mining sluice.
17. Blue Ridge Parkway
The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that runs through the peaks and valleys of the Blue Ridge, offering views of the surrounding landscape and access to mountain attractions. Plan your Blue Ridge Parkway visit with the guide.
18. The Blue Ridge Parkway leads to some of the highest peaks in the eastern United States. You can drive or hike to the top of Mount Mitchell (milepost 355.4), the highest point east of the Mississippi River, for 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the surrounding forest. Drive south along the parkway to visit Craggy Gardens (milepost 364.1), known for its rhododendron thickets and sunsets. Or head north to Grandfather Mountain (milepost 305), home of the Mile-High Swinging Bridge.
19. Listen to old-time music and order apple pie at the Orchard at Altapass (milepost 328.3), a 100-year-old apple orchard that highlights the local heritage of the Blue Ridge. Visitors can pick apples, take a hayride, and hear live mountain music.
20. Traveling south on the Blue Ridge Parkway leads to the Pisgah Mountain area, home to the Cradle of Forestry. You can slide down Sliding Rock, stop to see Looking Glass Falls, and explore the trails and waterfalls of Graveyard Fields (milepost 418.8).
21. Local culture
The people, celebrations, and artisan work highlight the traditions and stories of this region. One way to experience local culture is to order a meal at an area restaurant.
22. Celebrate in the Blue Ridge Mountains at annual festivals. In August, Marion hosts the WNC Bigfoot Festival. Check the event calendar for current listings.
23. Embrace the creative side of the Blue Ridge and see local arts. Find handmade items by local artists at the McDowell Arts Council Association gallery in Marion. You can sign up for a class at the Arrowhead Gallery and Studios in Old Fort. Find local creations and crafts inside The Davis Country Store in Old Fort. Or drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Folk Art Center (milepost 382) to see work from artists across the Southeast.
24. Sip your way along the High Spirits Trail, a collection of wineries, breweries, distilleries, and meaderies. Look for stops that offer snacks, live music, and scenic views.
25. Across the Blue Ridge
From your base camp on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge in McDowell County, you can explore much of what these mountains offer. Take a day trip to Biltmore, Chimney Rock State Park, DuPont State Park, or the North Carolina Arboretum.
