The bugle reveille, swimming holes, horseback rides, nighttime walks, and ghost stories around a fire — who says you have to outgrow the fun of summer camp? Not me. Whether you went to Highlander or Gwynn Valley, Falling Creek or Tekoa, you can always return to the mountains to rediscover nostalgic summer fun, just as our editor recently did in our July issue. As you seek higher elevation to escape the dog days of summer, check out these experiences to delight everyone’s inner child:
Sightsee for more than a mile-long stretch along the Gorge Zipline. photograph by Tom Moors
I have distinct memories of watching girls careen down the camp zipline, their legs dangling as they barreled towards the water. Other campers and I would wait on the sidelines and count the number of water shoes that flew into the air as tiny feet crashed into the pond. For a more dignified, shoe-safe experience that’s still plenty thrilling, try the zipline canopy tour at The Gorge Zipline in Saluda. The course of 11 ziplines lets visitors zoom over more than a mile of wilderness, starting at Green River Gorge and moving through old growth forests. When you reach the Sky Bridge, suspended between two trees, pause to enjoy the serenity of the leafy canopy.
166 Honey Bee Drive
Saluda, NC 28773
(828) 749-2500
thegorgezipline.com
A plunge down Sliding Rock is a quintessential Pisgah activity. photograph by Charles Harris
The best tonic to the hottest of summer days? Scooting down a giant rock slide into a basin of icy mountain water. A time-honored tradition among the mountain camps throughout Hendersonville and Brevard, a trip to Sliding Rock is equal parts refreshing and exhilarating. You might have to wait in line with other slide-goers, but it moves quickly and standing in the misty surroundings is a cooling teaser of the reward that awaits.
7851 Pisgah Highway
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
(828) 885-7625
naventure.com
Cup or cone? After a day in the sun, a scoop of ice cream from Dolly’s is a sweet reward. photograph by Pinkybird/E+/Getty Images Plus
Follow your Sliding Rock adventure with another quintessential experience among summer camps in the area: ice cream at Dolly’s Dairy Bar. Located on Pisgah Highway at the edge of the national forest, this pink-trimmed ice cream stop serves milkshakes, sundaes, and an assortment of hand-dipped flavors, including a selection named after local camps. After a period of closure due to damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024, Dolly’s reopened to the public in June 2025.
128 Pisgah Highway
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
(828) 862-6610
When we needed a break from the sun at summer camp, the crafts cabin offered a quiet oasis to learn and create. Now, you can tap into creativity in the heart of downtown Murphy. Here, Olive’s Porch operates as an extension of the John C. Campbell Folk School. In addition to a retail space with local handmade goods, Olive’s houses a classroom that hosts community workshops for traditional Appalachian crafts and folk art. Register for classes ranging from basket-weaving to making your own vinegars and shrubs, and on every third Friday of the month, drop by the free Community Carving Night, complete with all the materials you’ll need.
27 Peachtree Street
Murphy, NC
(828) 837-1885
olivesporch.org
Depart from The Swag and venture into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park alongside guide Steven Reinhold. photograph by Steve Yocum
Discover the history and lore within your Smoky Mountain surroundings as you traverse the Cataloochee Divide alongside a born-and-raised local. Haywood County resident Steven Reinhold grew up exploring this setting at a young age, joining his family on annual hikes to Cataloochee Valley for family reunions. Today, he leads guided hikes from The Swag on select weeks in the summer and fall. Join him as he ventures into the grounds that sprawl beyond the property line, sharing stories about what you’re seeing and the history that shaped the area.
2300 Swag Road
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 926-0430
theswag.com
See Grandfather Mountain at night during educator-led experiences at the park, held in June and July. photograph by skiserge1/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Discover Grandfather Mountain’s lesser-seen wonders during a guided, after-hours hike through the park. The evening begins at the Mile High Swinging Bridge where attendees can view the sunset before following a park educator as they highlight the singular diversity of the mountain’s habitats. Look for synchronous fireflies blinking in the air and on the ground and listen as the guides share bits of local folklore. The Twilight Hike in June is currently waitlist only, but there’s still availability to sign up for the Grandfather by Night: Naturalist Program in July.
2050 Blowing Rock Highway
Linville, NC 28646
(800) 468-7325
grandfather.com
From Cataloochee Ranch, guided trail rides lead to sweeping mountain vistas and even destination activities from picnics to spa treatments. Photography courtesy of Cataloochee Ranch
Maybe you haven’t ridden a horse since summer camp or maybe you’re a regular in the saddle. Wherever you fall, spend a day clip-clopping through tree-lined trails and mountain meadows on the back of a four-legged companion. Cataloochee Ranch offers private and group trail rides that depart from the ranch and lead through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rides are open to all levels of experience and range from half-day rides, five-hour rides complete with a mountaintop picnic at Gooseberry Knob, and full-day rides through the pristine landscape.
119 Ranch Drive
Maggie Valley, NC 28751
(828) 926-1401
cataloocheeranch.com
The Cherokee IV and its predecessors have been ferrying passengers around Lake Junaluska since 1914. Photography courtesy of Lake Junaluska
When it’s time to beat the heat, take to the waters of Lake Junaluska, surrounded by a Blue-Ridge backdrop. Lake Junaluska Outfitters caters to the public daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, offering kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals. Prefer to let an engine do the work for you? Take a guided, 45-minute boat tour aboard the Cherokee IV, which departs for late-afternoon and evening trips. In the blue waters of this serene Haywood County retreat, visitors can immerse themselves in the natural surroundings and unplug from the day-to-day bustle.
91 North Lakeshore Drive
Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
(828) 452-2881
lakejunaluska.com
Every Tuesday evening, John C. Campbell Folk School hosts a community dance that’s open to the public. Photography courtesy of John C. Campbell Folk School
Remember how, towards the last night of camp, there’d be a dance social on the tennis courts or inside the covered gymnasium, and you were sure to pack at least one nice shirt for such purposes? Well, you can find an experience reminiscent of such nights — with much better music — at the John C. Campbell Folk School every Tuesday. Complete with live musicians, the family-friendly dance and social is open to Brasstown community members and visitors.
1 Folk School Road
Brasstown, NC 28902
(800) 365-5724
folkschool.org
After a day of play, unwind by the fire at Trailborn Highlands with a glass of wine and a savory treat. Photography courtesy of Trailborn Highlands
Give campfire s’mores a sophisticated spin with a savory s’mores kit at Trailborn Highlands. When the sun dips behind the mountain and the day’s heat breaks, guests can settle around the outdoor fire with a spritz and cheese-and-charcuterie variation on the fireside staple. Lightly toast your cheese over the flame for a melty treat that you can zhuzh up with jam or charcuterie. Just ask the front desk for a kit — but be prepared to bring your own ghost stories.
96 Log Cabin Lane
Highlands, NC 28741
trailborn.com/highlands
For decades, a remote piece of Currituck County has been a respite for wildlife. Now under the protection of conservationists, this land, the waters surrounding it, and the skies above will remain a constant in our coastal circle of life.
On North Carolina’s coast, boardwalks wind alongside our sounds, rivers, and beaches, reminding us that the journey is often just as delightful as the destination.
From Wanchese to Duck, these landmark businesses and the families who run them connect consumers with the daily catch.
As the sun sets at Grandfather Mountain, fireflies put on a magnificent show — for those willing to stop and pay attention.
