The beautiful Upper Cascade Falls which is a very short hike from the visitor center at Hanging Rock State Park. Just outside the visitor center in Hanging Rock State Park is the beautiful and easily accessed Upper Cascade Falls.  At a modest 25ft, this picturesque destination doesn’t disappoint and is well worth 3/10’s of a…

A humble little waterfall that is easily reached from the Linville Falls Parking lot. Tucked away in a little cove near the Linville Falls visitor center off the Blue Ridge Parkway, is the humble Dugger’s Creek Falls that cascades only a mere 10 feet.  While it is small compared to its close neighbor Linville Falls,…

A great museum that showcases the history and culture of Western North Carolina. Western North Carolina is not only full of beautiful scenery but it also is rich with history and culture. Whether you are a lifelong resident or a visiting tourist, you experience this heritage whenever you travel the hills, listen to the music,…

Beautiful views and rock outcroppings after a short hike up to Hawksbill Mountain. Sitting high atop the Linville Gorge overlooking the entire area is the great hiking destination of Hawksbill Mountain.  This 1.5 mile roundtrip hike is short but climbs almost 1000ft to the summit giving it a strenuous rating by most accounts.  However it…

One of the lesser visited gems inside Jones Gap State Park. One of our favorites. There is a wonderfully beautiful waterfall inside Jones Gap State Park called Falls Creek Falls.  This 125 foot multi-cascade is one of our favorites in Jones Gap and is probably one of the least hiked waterfalls  inside the park.  However…

The 150ft tall Rainbow Falls of North Carolina is a site to see. Just next to Gorges State Park in the Pisgah National Forest, is the impressive 150ft tall Rainbow Falls of North Carolina.  Named for the rainbow that sometimes appears from the abundant mist, this beauty is one of the most picturesque waterfalls  in…

Just upstream from Rainbow Falls, people actually ride the 20ft Turtleback Falls. Just past the popular North Carolina waterfall, Rainbow Falls, is the unique Turtleback Falls that is a popular waterslide and swimming hole. While there is a 3.5 mile round trip hike required to access Turtleback Falls, during the warm Carolina Summer months expect…

A beautiful and historic must-see stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, at mile 328.3, is the historic Orchard at Altapass which is one of a few “must see” destinations for anyone traveling along the parkway or visiting the local area.  The Orchard is rich with Appalachian history and culture.…

A popular summertime swimming hole and waterfall destination. Hidden away in the Sumter National Forest of South Carolina, just north of Walhalla in the town of Mountain Rest, is the remote waterfall and swimming hole – Blue Hole Falls. Named for the large pool at the base of the falls, this beautiful spot in the…

Beautiful views from rock outcroppings with an easy hike. In the far corner of Western North Carolina, just south of Franklin in the Nantahala National Forest, is the rocky ridge called Pickens Nose. Exactly where the name came from is unknown but most stories agree that it was named after the long angular nose of…

Learn all about the Linn Cove Viaduct and walk underneath it. The Linn Cove Viaduct is quite possibly one of the most recognizable landmarks along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Pictures of it are instantly recognizable and associated with the Grandfather Mountain section of the Parkway.  It is a beautiful engineering masterpiece that is a one…

Two of the most picturesque waterfalls in South Carolina with an easy walk. Located in the Jocassee Gorge Wilderness Area of South Carolina, Just north of Pickens, is the beautiful Twin Falls. It is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in South Carolina and, as the name suggests, consists of two waterfalls that form as…

Courthouse Falls is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the area. Hidden away in the Southern Pisgah National Forest, just North of Brevard, is the beautiful and picturesque Courthouse Falls.  This 45 foot waterfall is located in a rocky cove with a deep pool at the base of the falls that would make a…

The crown jewel of the North Carolina state Parks, Chimney Rock is a great spot to visit. Standing tall in the Hickory Nut Gorge area of Western North Carolina is the unique rock formation Chimney Rock that is the signature attraction and namesake of Chimney Rock State Park. This 6,800+ acre park is a hot-spot…

Built in 1911, the Pisgah Covered Bridge is one of only two remaining antique covered bridges in North Carolina. In the small North Carolina community of Pisgah, near Asheboro, sits one of only two remaining historic covered bridges in the state – the humble Pisgah Covered Bridge. Originally built in 1911, at a cost of…

A beautifully unique waterfall that is very easy to reach. In the northern section of the Pisgah National Forest, just north of the Blue Ridge Parkway, sits the wonderfully different, Roaring Fork Falls.  This beautiful waterfall on Roaring Fork Creek is a long cascade that falls about 50ft but takes about twice as long as…

The 50 foot Melrose Falls is less known but just as beautiful as other falls in the area. Just east of the town of Saluda North Carolina, is the less popular but very beautiful – Melrose Falls.  This is a large waterfall spanning multiple cascades that can be reached by a roundtrip hike of just…

An easy hike to a wonderful waterfall that starts at the beautiful South Toe River. In the northern section of the Pisgah National Forest just north of the Blue Ridge Parkway and minutes from Roaring Fork Falls is the beautiful Setrock Creek Falls. Located next to the Black Mountain Campground in Burnsville North Carolina, this…

The remote, but easily accessible, 50ft high Dill Falls. Way off the beaten path, in the Southern section of the Pisgah National Forest, sits the remote, but easily accessible, Dill Falls. This is an exceptionally beautiful waterfall that, while it is remote, isn’t too difficult to reach and is absolutely worth the trip. Pictures and…

A beautiful roadside waterfall that flows under a 1930’s era stone bridge. Very scenic! Just off Highway 215, in the Northern Pisgah National Forest, as it crosses over the west fork of the Pigeon River is the beautiful roadside waterfall – Sunburst Falls. This wonderful series of cascades starts just upstream from the old stone…