by joefriday122 » Tue Apr 02, 2024 10:46 am
Hey,
Stone Mtn State Park is a great place to stay and hike. Highly recommend it. Also look at New River State Park, it is very RV friendly and probably less crowded than Stone Mtn., and its close to the parkway, too.
I have lived in NC all my life and am familiar with the BRP in North Carolina. Here are my recommendations:
Doughton Park at MP 240: Its a NPS recreation area with great views and hiking.
Glendale Springs at MP 260: There is a small church there called the "Church of the Frescoes," well worth the stop and tour. The Glendale Springs Inn serves a great meal.
E.B. Jeffress Park at MP 270: A short hike will take you to a very cool cascades waterfall.
Blowing Rock, NC for great food. Try THE SPECKLED TROUT restaurant in Blowing Rock
Moses Cone Memorial Park at MP 290: There is a visitors center and crafts place in a picturesque mansion. Great views. There is also a camping and picnic ground close by called Julian Price Park.
Rough Ridge Trail and overlook at MP 302.8: This short hike will take you up to a rock ledge/overlook that allows you to see the Lynn Cove viaduct bridge and grandfather mountain. It is one of the best short hikes of the parkway and should not be missed.
Linville Falls at MP 315: One of the BRP's iconic stops. You can't really say you traveled the BRP without going there. Also, Louise's Rockhouse Restaurant serves good food. It's claim to fame is that the restaurnt sits on the border of 3 counties, so you can eat in one county and walk across the room to another. There are multiple campgrounds nearby.
Altapass Apple Orchard at MP 328: Good views and a chance to stop and shop.
Little Switzerland at MP 335: a VERY small collection of cool hotels, a general store, restaurant, bookstore and coffee shop. Also provides access to Spruce Pine, NC. There is a good restaurant downtown called D.T.'s Blueridge Java which serves a very excellent breakfast. The Western Sizzlin is also good.
Crabtree Meadows and Crabtree Falls at MP 340. A campground and a hike to one of the prettiest waterfalls on the parkway.
Green Knob Overlook and Firetower at MP 350. This is a well kept secret. Park at the overlook and walk across the parkway to the trailhead. A short hike up to the firetower will provide great views of the Black Mountain Range.
Mt Mitchell State Park at MP 355. Highest peak east of the Mississippi River. A restaurant, store, and a short hike to the top.
Craggy Dome and Craggy Gardens Visitor Center at MP 364. Awesome views from the short hike. A nice break at the visitors center.
Folk Art Center at MP 380: Bring your credit card. Lots of shopping. Worth the stop even if you don't buy.
Asheville, NC go to Biltmore Estate
Mt. Pisgah at MP 409: Campground, hiking to top of Mt Pisgah, Restaurant nearby.
Take highway 276 down to Brevard, NC for great food and a good walk around a beautiful town. Breweries, trout fishing, etc.
Devil's Courthouse at MP 422. A short hike up a paved trail to the view.
Take Highway 215 North to Sunburst campground on the Pigeon River
Finish the BRP and visit the Great Smokey Mtns Nat'l Park.
I hope this is helpful.. Enjoy your trip!