Area Activities

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Map to area activities click here


Hiking and Scenic Drives off the Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway  www.nps.gov/blri/   Blue Ridge Parkway Map
A drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway is meant to be slow paced and relaxing. A stop at almost any overlook or trail will reveal much of the natural and cultural history here. The Parkway meanders 469 miles between Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, so explore the many communities along the way that make our region so special. Enjoy the view, but watch the road!

Crabtree Meadows Recreation Area: Milepost 339.5. Crabtree Falls (70 ft.), 4-mile roundtrip hike. Trail Map

Mt. Mitchell State Park

There are a few places in the world that still stand apart from the ordinary. Rising more than a mile high, surrounded by the gentle mist of low-hanging clouds, Mount Mitchell State Park is one of these extraordinary places. In the crest of the timeworn Black Mountains lies the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi.
For more information

Linville Caverns, Falls & Gorge        828-756-4171 or 800-419-0540

Located at the base of Humpback Mountain, these limestone caverns offer many interesting stalagmite & stalactites formations. This is great fun for the entire family.  Open from MAR – NOV. For hours & more info www.linvillecaverns.com

Duggers Creek Falls Trail: Off the main parking area for Linville Falls

Altapass Orchard     888-765-9531

The Orchard at Altapass is an Appalachian cultural and historical center celebrating the people, music, art, and natural beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains in North Carolina. Built by the Clinchfield Railroad over 100 years ago, the Orchard sits right on the Parkway providing some of the most amazing scenery in the Appalachian Mountains.  For hours & more info www.altapassorchard.com

Grandfather Mountain800-468-7325

Named for the line of its ridge, which resembles the profile of a grandfatherly man, visitors come here for a variety of attractions besides the beautiful scenery. Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge mountain range and the only private park in the world designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve. Marvel at 360-degree views of mountain ridge after mountain ridge retreating to the horizon and discover sanctuary for the human spirit. Check out all there is to do at www.grandfather.com


Hikes near Little Switzerland

Trails.com                      Check out all the Local trails click here.

Armstrong Creek Trail: A primitive hiking trails on an old logging road, this easy to moderate trail totals 6 miles. Take NC 226A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd. Trail head begins past hatchery parking lot.

Bad Fork Trail: A primitive trail that connects Woods Mountain & Armstrong Creek Trails. It is an 8-mile, moderate trail. Take NC 226A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd. Drive 3 miles to trail head on left side at confluence of Bad Fork with Armstrong Creek.

Tom’s Creek Falls Trail: Workout outdoors. Take NC 226A toward Marion, go right on 221/226S. Look for Woodlawn Motel, just after motel is Hutchinson Branch Rd.,
go right. Take this road for 1.3 miles. On right is a small gravel parking spot and
the entrance to the trail to the falls. The trail is about 1/2 mile of easy hiking.

Woodlawn Fitness Trail: Workout outdoors. This fitness trail consists of seven stations, two exercises per station, on a ¼-mile jogging path. 1.25 mile trail located behind picnic area. 6 miles north of Marion on 221.

Waterfalls of the Blue Ridge Parkway


Other Recreation Areas

Lake James828-295-7851

Tucked away in rolling hills at the base of Linville Gorge is Lake James, a 6,510-acre lake with more than 150 miles of shoreline. This impressive waterway is the centerpiece of Lake James State Park. Here, nature offers scenic vistas of the Appalachian Mountains and beckons to those with an appetite for recreation.
http://www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/laja/home.html

Tom’s Creek Falls


Chimney Rock Park800-277-9611

The stone entrance to this park lies in Chimney Rock Village, one of the state’s smallest incorporated villages. The highest elevation in the park is Exclamation Point at 2480 feet. Once at the top, you have a 75-mile view in any direction. Trails for all skill levels are available. A nature center, picnic areas and a café with a view are also on site. Admission fee. http://www.chimneyrockpark.com

Lake Lure828-625-9983

Below Chimney Rock Mountain lay the waters of 700-acre Lake Lure, a man-made lake whose depths reach 110 feet at the dam.  The lake offers visitors access to water sports, boating, fishing and local wildlife, a public beach and picnic area. The town of Lake Lure also provides visitors a taste of small town life.
www.townoflakelure.com

Blowing Rock828-295-7851

This quaint, mountain town is known as the “Crown of the Blue Ridge”. This town is a fun place to shop for unique gifts and arts& crafts.

More hiking information and photo gallery:
www.hikewnc.info/gallery/index.html


Artists & Galleries

Penland School & Craft Gallery828-765-2359    http://www.penland.org

EnergyXchange: Artist in residence work828-675-5541 www.energyxchange.org

Toe River Arts Council (Spruce Pine TRAC Gallery) 828-765-0520

Toe River Arts Council (Burnsville TRAC Gallery) 828-682-7215
http://www.toeriverarts.org

Folk Art Center: 828-298-7928 www.craftguild.org

Asheville has many interesting galleries. You may want to contact the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
at 828- 258-6101. 


Nearby towns

Burnsville: Old fashion down town square

Bakersville: Cute down town with antiquing & galleries

Spruce Pines (Historic Downtown):

Cute down town, Have lunch & ice cream at DT’s coffee shop

Blue Moon Book Store

Toe River Arts Council


Asheville

Biltmore Estate800-624-1575

Visit the largest privately owned home in America.
www.biltmore.com
Open year-round

Mast General Store

You’ll find anything from traditional mercantile goods to apparel and outdoor gear. For other locations including the an 1883 store located in Valle Crucis,
go to www.mastgeneralstore.com. Open year-round

Western NC Arboretum828-665-2492

A 434-acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest. Open year-round, for more information visit www.ncarboretum.org.


Golf

Grassy Creek Golf Course828-765-7436

Located in Spruce Pine (Semi-Private), for more info,
www.grassycreek.com

Marion Lake Club Golf Course828-652-6232

Located in Nebo (Public), for more info, www.marionlakeclub.com

Mount Mitchell Golf Club828-675-5454

Located in Burnsville (Public), for more info, www.mountmitchelgolfresort.com

Old Fort Golf Course828-668-4256

Located in Burnsville (Public)


Horseback Riding

Springmaid Mountain828-765-2353 or 888-297-0725

Located near the Blue Ridge Parkway near Spruce Pines, for more info, http://www.springmaidmountain.com/activities.htm


Gem Mining

Emerald Village

P.O. Box 98
McKinney Mine Rd.
Little Switzerland, NC 28749
www.emeraldvillage.com
Phone: 828-765-6463

Gem Mountain  http://www.gemmountain.com   Phone 888-817-5829

Broad River Gems http://www.broadrivergems.com Phone 828-286-1220

Chimney Rock Gemstone Mine http://www.chimneyrockgemmine.com
Phone 828-625-5524

Thermal City Gold Mine http://www.huntforgold.com Phone 828-286-3016


Fishing

Western North Carolina On The Fly - a guide to fly-fishing the mountains of WNC. Website contains resources for planning fishing trips and guided tours.
www.wnctrout.com

On the Fly Guide Service
P.O. Box 54
Marion, NC 28752
Phone: 828.659.0059

Fishing Lake James   http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/laja/activities.php

For information on Fishing in North Carolina www.ncwildlife.org/fs_index_03_fishing.htm