Find yourself surrounded by birdcalls and wildflowers as you welcome the season with a walk in the woods — through old-growth forests, along mountain summits, and past clear, cold creeks.
blue ridge parkway
North Carolina Nature Trails for the Littlest Explorers
Discover family-friendly outdoor adventures on special trails across the state.
North Carolina’s Forgotten Forest
Is it possible to lose track of 50,000 trees? Within the sprawling expanse of Pisgah National Forest, an army of red spruces hid in plain sight for more than 70 years.
Greetings From Asheville: The Land of the Sky
In the late 1800s, a simple, powerful slogan lured newcomers to the sublime beauty of Buncombe County. More than a century later, the Asheville skyline still beckons.
Destination NC
An advertising campaign in the mid-20th century touted North Carolina as a vacationer’s paradise — no matter what types of destinations and activities travelers sought.
Hidden Treasures of Autumn in the North Carolina Mountains
We know you’re heading west to see stunning fall color, but look beyond the Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks and you’ll discover more incredible ways to experience the season.
From Ranch to Retreat in Burnsville
A big-city photographer had a vision to transform a storied Burnsville property into a space for contemplation and reflection — a healing place.
Our State Knows Best: Leaf Peeping
We talked to three biologists about how and when to plan a trip to see peak fall color in North Carolina, their favorite hikes and overlooks, and why our mountains are one of the best places in the country to see stunning autumn leaves.
NC Icons: Mountain Primer
Find out what makes our ancient Appalachian Mountains so magnificent in this primer on our peaks.
