News

Keep up with what’s happening in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains! Check out our articles to start planning your next mountain vacation with the inside scoop on all there is to see and do in our towns and on our trails.

Find the best adventures in any season, whether you’re planning a family getaway, a romantic weekend escape or an outdoor expedition. Learn more about top local attractions, and be the first to know about exciting announcements. Be sure to check our Events Calendar for more of what’s happening in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Mountain Gateway Museum Featured in PBS's "North Carolina Weekend"

Did you know? Our very own Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort, North Carolina has been featured in PBS's "N…

Blue Ridge Holidays

Christmas in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a truly special time when North Carolina mountain communities come together to…

New Smithsonian traveling exhibit opens at Mountain Gateway Museum

Traveling Exhibit The Waldensians of Valdese © Mountain Gateway…

Explore Mystery, Monsters, and Magic This Halloween in McDowell County, NC

Find mysteries and fun Halloween ideas to explore in McDowell County

Celebrate Great Trails State Day October 21st!

Celebrate North Carolina's "The Year of the Trail" in McDowell County with Great Trails State Day!Mid-Oc…

Register for the Mt Mitchell Heartbreaker 50m/55k!

Back for the 2nd year, the Mt Mitchell Heartbreaker 50m/55k is an extremely scenic tour of "the other Pisgah"…

G5 Trail Collective Trail Development 2023

Old Fort Trails Project Receives $2.5 Million for Trail Development

Old Fort Trails Project G5 Trail Collective Receives 2.5 Million for Trail Development

Nebo, NC Weekend Exploration Guide

The Nebo community sits along the shoreline of Lake James and offers access to plenty of outdoor adventure. When planni…

Blue Ridge Fall Adventures

Find Your Adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains this Fall

N.C. State Parks Division Announces 'Complete the Trails' Program Grants for Land Acquisition Projects.png

'Complete the Trails' Program Grants Awarded to Local Trails

McDowell County Trails receive funding to improve outdoor trails in our region.

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2023 Blue Ridge Fall Color Report: The Final Week

Follow along as we provide you with an up-to-date fall color report for the Blue Ridge Mountains. Information on top dr…

New Museum Exhibit Honors Old Fort's 150th Anniversary

The second phase of the Mountain Gateway Museum’s photography exhibit, “A Peek Into the Past: Old Fort at 150.” will op…

Woman on boat on Lake James in Nebo, N.C.

8 Ways to Spend a Day at Lake James

Discover a mix of outdoor adventures and peaceful relaxation, Lake James State Park in Nebo, NC is an ideal destination…

Blue Ridge Day Trip: Hot Springs, NC

Hot Springs is a destination in the Blue Ridge Mountains where people go to soak in warm, mineral-rich waters. Here are…

Rainy Day Adventures in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Rain doesn't mean a lost day of vacation. There's still fun to be had in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here’s our guide to …

New Trail: Bernard Mountain Trail in Old Fort Officially Opens

The Bernard Mountain Trail is the latest trail to be completed in an effort to create new outdoor experiences throughou…