That soft blue haze — the namesake smoke of the Great Smoky Mountains — is a quirk of nature that was once severely threatened by man-made pollutants. Now, the vistas are opening up again.
great smoky mountains
The Getaway
Our modern world is smaller than it used to be. So how far away can you get from people, from society, from modern life? Our writer found North Carolina’s most remote spot and went there to find out.
Above & Beyond
They are our inland lighthouses, the fire towers of western North Carolina. Long ago decommissioned as regular lookouts, these wobbly perches still have plenty of character and purpose. Just ask all the hikers.
Open-Sky Camping Across North Carolina
Drive away from the cities, away from lights, to a place where the sky is as dark as it gets — and set up camp beneath the stars.
Five Can’t-Miss Appalachian Trail Hikes in North Carolina
Three hundred miles of the Appalachian Trail cut through North Carolina, offering you plenty of options for day, weekend, or week-long hikes.
North Carolina’s High Road: The Cherohala Skyway
Only 18 miles of the Cherohala Skyway run across North Carolina. But those miles, cutting and rising above the Great Smoky Mountains, are some of the prettiest you’ll drive anywhere.
Into the Forest: Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is 3,800 acres of unchecked wilderness. Here, centuries-old trees scrape the sky and shelter a natural world that reminds us of our place on this planet.
Fly Fishing in North Carolina
Where well-stocked waters and gorgeous settings add up to the perfect day.
Southern Historian at Heart
Professor and author Dan Pierce honors his own roots as he explores Southern history for his books and his classes at The University of North Carolina at Asheville.
