Explore the North Carolina Mountains

North Carolina's mountain region is bounded by two ranges of the southern Appalachians - the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway meanders for 469 miles through the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. Natural attractions just off the Parkway include Grandfather Mountain, home to the "Mile High Swinging Bridge," 90-foot Linville Falls and Linville Caverns. Campsites, hiking trails, picnic areas and waterfalls are abundant on the Parkway.

The largest town in the Northern Mountains or "High Country" is Boone, which serves as a gateway to a variety of outdoor recreational activities such as whitewater rafting, rock climbing and hiking. Other must-see attractions here include the Hickory Ridge Homestead and the seasonal Horn in the West outdoor drama. North Carolina's best ski resorts are also nearby, including Ski Beech, Sugar Mountain, Hawksnest and Appalachian Ski Mountain. The seasonal resort of Blowing Rock is full of specialty shops, eclectic restaurants and quaint bed and breakfasts. Known for its ruby mines, Spruce Pine hosts the annual North Carolina Mineral and Gem Festival in July.

Asheville is the largest town in the Central Mountains. The Downtown Asheville Historic District contains an exceptional collection of early 20th-century architecture, including the 1909 Basilica of St. Lawrence, the 1928 Buncome County Courthouse and the 1928 City Hall. George Washington Vanderbilt chose the area to build his 255-room Biltmore Estate, which remains the largest private residence in the country. An Asheville visit should also include trips to Pack Place Education, Arts and Science Center, the Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site, the North Carolina Arboretum, the Smith-McDowell House (Asheville's oldest house) and the Western North Carolina Nature Center. Popular side trips from Asheville include Black Mountain (famouse for its crafts and antiques), Chimney Rock Park, Mount Mitchell (at 6,684 feet, the highest peak in the Eastern United States) and Flat Rock, home to famous poet and Lincoln biographer Carl Sandburg's Connemara estate. The town of Brevard serves as a gateway to 499,816-acre Pisgah National Forest, which offers hiking trails, campsites, picnic areas, swimming holes, fishing spots and hundreds of waterfalls.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited park in the United States, lies in the Southern Mountains. Established in 1934, the park encompasses 276,000 acres in North Caroilna and 244,000 acres in Tennessee. Campsites, hiking trails, waterfalls, fishing spots and historic sites are abundant here. The 56,000-acre Qually Boundary is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Experience the rich heritage of the Cherokee people at the Museum of Cherokee Indian, the Occonaluftee Indian Village and the Unto These Hills outdoor drama. Another extremely popular draw is Harrah's Cherokee Casino, which is open 24 hours a day. The nearby town of Bryson City has become a mecca for whitewater rafting enthusiasts. Take a tour of the 480-foot-tall Fontana Dam, the tallest dam in the Eastern United States. Visitors to Dillsboro can catch the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for a round-trip adventure through valleys, river gorges and mountains. Brasstown is home to the John C. Campbell Folk School, the oldest school of traditional crafts in the United States. The 525,897-acre Nantahala National Forest, the largest of North Carolina's four national forests, offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking and camping.