Not Too Bad Of A Hike. Very Rewarding Views At The End! Slippery When Wet. Wear The Proper Shoes!read more

You can't pay for views like this, and good news is... you don't have to!…read more Rough Ridge Overlook is a local *and* tourist hot spot for some of the best views in the state! I went there with some GFs for nature and the views, and it didn't dissapoint. Definiteluy put this spot on your map when planning a trip to Grandfather Mountain.

Worth It 10 Times Over $30.42…read more Grandfather Mountain was the highlight of my trip to the North Carolina mountains and worth every penny. The experience starts the moment you arrive. The staff is organized, friendly, and efficient. They provide a map and a self-guided audio tour that plugs right into your car, making it easy to learn about the mountain as you drive from stop to stop. My advice: arrive before 11 a.m. and check Blue Ridge Parkway closures before you leave. There are still detours and road closures that can add significant time to your drive, and you don't want to miss your entry time. I headed straight to the top for the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The weather was classic mountain weather--cool temperatures in the 50s and 60s with fog drifting across the peaks. Even with the clouds rolling through, the views were absolutely stunning. If stairs are a concern, there's an elevator that takes visitors up to the bridge level. Afterward, I worked my way down the mountain, stopping at Split Rock before exploring the Wildlife Habitats. This area exceeded my expectations. I saw black bears, elk, a cougar, bald eagles, river otters, and plenty of butterflies. The botanical gardens were beautiful and everything was clearly marked and easy to navigate. The entire property is exceptionally well maintained. Clean restrooms at both the summit and wildlife center were an added bonus. I arrived around 10:30 a.m. and left shortly after noon, which gave me plenty of time to see everything at a comfortable pace. You could easily spend longer if you enjoy hiking or lingering at the exhibits. As someone escaping the summer heat in Charlotte, the cool mountain air alone was worth the drive. If you're visiting western North Carolina, put Grandfather Mountain on your bucket list. The scenery, wildlife, organization, and educational experience make it one of the best attractions in the region. There's a big world out there to explore. This is one place that's absolutely worth the trip.

Nice park and mountain, but $37 PER PERSON? With NO…read moresignage/pricing posted anywhere ... yikes I could understand for something like Yosemite or Yellowstone, but just a state park ...tough pill to swallow especially when it's not posted anywhere. I was planning to hike with some friends and we were going to start at one of the other lots but the roads were closed leaving us no choice but to enter the park. I really just wish the pricing/fees were posted somewhere-anywhere- because they weren't online or on the park signs out front. Had to pull up to the gate/window and even then the park ranger seemed to want to withhold that information as long as possible. The actual park is beautiful and well maintained- and you do get an audio guide plus map upon entry. But the lack of transparency here is a hard no for me. @azfitfoodfun

The waterfalls are beautiful. This is a park and walk up experience. Very private no one was there…read morewhen we went. It is so peaceful just sitting by the waterfall. A great place to sit journal or read a book.

I almost passed this spot entirely, and missing it would have been a real loss. Tucked across from…read morethe Ingles Market, a modest parking area and an understated sign conceal a striking series of cascading waterfalls. The path leading up the slope was carved out by volunteer firefighters, and while it is steep in places, it offers a rewarding climb with views that unfold as you ascend. It's medium difficulty. The park features a few picnic tables scattered near the base, inviting visitors to linger and enjoy the sound of rushing water. The falls themselves are double-tiered, flowing over rugged stone, and a natural rock bridge allows you to cross to the other side with reasonable footing. I had the place entirely to myself today, and despite the questionable wisdom of climbing solo, I made it up and back without incident. The experience was peaceful and memorable, and I left with a handful of beautiful photos and a sense of quiet satisfaction. Locally, the site is also known as Bobby McLean Memorial Park, named in tribute to a respected community figure whose legacy lives on in this serene corner of Newland. [Review 1222 of 2025 - 4407 in North Carolina - 24774 overall]

On our way to the top for leaf peeping, we stopped here for a bit and enjoyed the scenery. Located…read moreat milepost 297 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the part encompasses over 4200 acres of rolling mountainous terrain that include campgrounds, hiking trails, picnic sites and Price Lake. The highlight is the Tanawha Trail that runs 13.5 miles and includes Grandfather Mountain. There are canoes available for rental and the lake is stocked with fish. This time of year with the leaves turning, it was a beautiful spot and we enjoyed our time here. Five stars. [Review 15917 overall - 3132 in North Carolina - 1422 of 2021.]

The trail around Price Lake is an easy walk, ducking in and out of the tickets along the shore…read more If it's rained or snowed recently, make sure to bring footwear that can tolerate a little mud. While trail improvements have eliminated some of the messier areas, the reality is that well worn walking trails also make for welcoming drainage paths. Parking is readily available in a lot adjacent to the dam, or in a larger lot just down from the amputheater (near the boat rentals).

Beautiful small park with excellent view below and above. Picnic area with two different camping…read morestoves. One was covered. Porta potties that appear to be temporary as the area is under construction.

This is such a special spot in Boone. The drive is crazy steep, but it is absolutely worth trekking…read moreup to see the top of Howard's Knob. You cannot find a better view of the town and beautiful mountains surrounding the area. Plenty of opportunities to snap some amazing pictures unlike anywhere else in the high country. During the winter months the park gate is closed, otherwise the daytime hours are clearly posted. There is a fair amount of parking spots and plenty of picnic tables (some are sheltered) and trash cans. Please don't forget to respect the neighbors and the park boundaries.

This is such a lovely park. Definitely worth a visit if you're a tourist, and worth being part of…read moreyour weekly fun outdoors if you're a local.

We love walking here. The walkway is paved, but lots of roots make it uneven. They have them all…read moremarked for your safety though. Come for a walk, picnic or a pickup game of soccer.

Linville Falls is one of those places where the journey is as much a part of the experience as the…read moredestination. First, the good stuff: admission is free, parking is free, and the scenery is absolutely gorgeous. If you're driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, watch carefully for Milepost 316 and the signs for the Visitor Center and Campground. It's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. The weather on my visit was spectacular. It was nearly 20 degrees cooler than Charlotte, and after a few minutes in the mountains, I understood why people keep coming back. The forests are lush, the rhododendrons were blooming, the streams were crystal clear, and the overlooks provide beautiful views of the gorge and waterfalls. That said, if you have knee issues or mobility challenges like I do, know what you're getting into. I have a torn ACL, and while this isn't an extreme hike, I wouldn't call it easy either. The trails include uneven terrain, loose rocks, roots, stairs, narrow pathways, and some fairly steep inclines and descents. Going downhill was actually harder for me than climbing up. I was encouraged to see hikers of all ages out enjoying the trails. There were families with children, seniors, avid hikers with trekking poles, and plenty of casual visitors stopping at the overlooks. The atmosphere felt friendly and relaxed. Was it worth it? I'm still a little on the fence personally, mostly because my knee limited how much I could enjoy the trails. But I can absolutely appreciate why Linville Falls is one of the Blue Ridge Parkway's most popular stops. The views are beautiful, the facilities are convenient, and it's an easy way to experience some of North Carolina's mountain scenery without committing to an all-day hike. If you're reasonably mobile and enjoy nature, it's worth a stop. If you have bad knees, just bring realistic expectations and take your time. Life is too short to stay indoors. Get out there and explore. The mountains are waiting.

Saturday Tony Vanoy and I went hiking at Linville Falls off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Linville NC…read morearea. It was such a beautiful day! It was about a 2 mile loop if you go all the way to Erwin' View on the trail from the Visitors Center & parking lot where the bathrooms and gift shop is located. We had a lovely hiking adventure!

It's not a huge hiking trail (maybe a mile total) but the terrain is very hills and technical. We…read morewent when the ground was a little snowy/icy, so I would recommend hiking boots for the excursion. The views and scenery are fabulous. There are waterfalls and streams and tons of rocks to climb for fun photos. My only wish was to have a picnic area near the parking area so that we could enjoy a picnic and then a family walk together.

Some friends and I met in Boone and were looking for a nearby trail that was not too long (before…read moreThanksgiving food). Otter Falls was a good fit. It wasn't too crazy with bunches of rocks or too "woodsy," but there is a good sized hill when you get close to the waterfall. There's a platform that you can take a few steps down onto for photos along with some other spots you can Instagram from. Given COVID, I recommend waiting for groups to come up the steps before going down. Note: There are not a ton of parking spaces at the trail head (maybe 15), so be prepared to possibly park along the road.

Spectacular views. Words do it no justice. Just a note, you better have a higher lift vehicle to…read moreget there. It's about 4 miles past Falls parking lot, it's gravel, rutty and pretty rough.

Gorgeous spot near Lineville, Table Rock, Grandfather, etc.! We took our engagement photos at…read moreWiseman's View on a beautiful September afternoon at sunset. It's the perfect spot for photos because... A) It's an easy stroll from the parking lot, i.e. you're not going to get hot and sweaty hiking to your photo shoot location. B) It's almost always 15-degrees cooler here than in Charlotte. Again, avoiding the whole hot and sweaty thing. C) The views are unrivaled. Sweeping from all angels, on a clear day you can see for miles and miles from one of the several outcrops/overlooks.