The western part of our state is filled with quaint towns and cities, breathtaking vistas, outdoor activities, and extensive natural beauty. One major benefit of the Triangle is that it’s a 2.5 – 5 hour drive to the spectacular Appalachian Mountains.

Once there, there is something for everyone; you can relax in a beautiful mountain lodge, go hiking on trails that range from easy to intense, tool around towns like Asheville and Boone, go for a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, try adventure sports like kayaking and rock climbing, and much more.

There are a range of outdoor options with everything from gentle day hikes to multiday backpacking adventures on the Appalachian Trail. The mountains of North Carolina are great for those that are trying outdoor activities for the first time and seasoned adventurers.

The fall is a beautiful time of year as many of the trees began to change colors, adding to the already picturesque landscape. Below, I’ve listed some of my favorite mountain towns and natural areas.

Boone and Blowing Rock

Boone has great restaurants, friendly people, a college town atmosphere and easily accessible natural attractions. The town has a ton of personality and a lot to do. Nearby Blowing Rock is more laid back and has a quaint downtown, with rustic antique stores, great food and a few museums. Both are great places to stay while enjoying the surrounding mountains. Also check out nearby Tweetsie Railroad, a fun theme park for kids and families.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The BRP runs through Virginia and North Carolina and is one of the most scenic roads in the entire country. There are faster ways to get around in the mountains but that’s not what the Parkway is about; it exists to take in the beautiful geography. All sorts of campgrounds, lodges, hiking trails, restaurants and other attractions can be found along the road as well as several notable destinations like Asheville, Boone, Grandfather Mountain, Linville Caverns and Little Switzerland.

Grayson Highlands

Grayson Highlands is right across the state line in Virginia, less than an hour and a half drive from Boone, and even closer to popular mountain getaway West Jefferson. Ponies roam wild through the picturesque balds, blueberries and blackberries grow along the trails, and rocky outcroppings make for great viewpoints of the wild open highlands. The Appalachian Trail cuts through Grayson and the park is considered by many veteran hikers to be one of the prettiest places on the 2,000+ mile trail. There are campsites nearby and camping is allowed in the park.

Asheville

Asheville is one of the most unique towns in the United States. It is widely acclaimed for its art, food and beer scenes. Downtown Asheville’s historic architecture takes center stage, backdropped by green mountains. The city is a great home base for exploring nature in the surrounding mountains. Also don’t forget to check out one of America’s most spectacular homes, the Biltmore Estate.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The nation’s most visited national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Great Smoky Mountains National Park saddles the North Carolina-Tennessee border and encompasses over 500,000 acres. The park is home to over 10,000 species of plants and animals. The Appalachian Trail runs through the park, and there are plenty of areas for wilderness camping for those that want to go on a multi-day adventure. The park is also great for day trips or a drive up to Clingman’s Dome for a stunning 360 degree view of the landscape.

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock is one of the closets mountain attractions at less than 2.5 hours away from Raleigh. It can make for a nice day trip but also has campsites for car camping. The mountain is surrounded by an extensive network of trails that include vistas, waterfalls and even a mountain cave. Hanging Rock can be a great place for those interested in trying out hiking and camping for the first time. It is the first place we ever took our children camping when they were young.

West Jefferson

West Jefferson is a quaint mountain town in North Carolina’s northeast corner. Located in Ashe County, West Jefferson is great for walking around, checking out local stores and trying great food. The area has plenty of hiking, fishing and more. It is smaller than Asheville and Boone and is nice for those looking for a slower pace of life.

Stone Mountain State Park

Stone Mountain is another great place for those wanting to try out the outdoors of NC. It is 2.5 hours driving from Raleigh and offers hiking, fishing, rock climbing, horseback riding and more. There are plenty of trails with waterfalls and nice vistas, and a portion of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail runs through the park.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you get a chance to experience some of these places for yourself!