Wildcat Rock TrailTemporarily closed
Still closed from Helene damage, with no reopening date yet. A longtime local favorite.
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Hikes & Nature
Mount Mitchell State Park
Locals’ pickHighest point east of the Mississippi, with an observation deck you can nearly drive right up to. It's about an hour out, but standing up there once is worth every mile. Pack a layer, the top's colder than you'd guess.
Address
Blue Ridge Parkway MP 355, Burnsville, NC
Legend
Hikes & Nature
Sightseeing
Your home base
We keep this guidebook for our guests. It’s written and kept current by Asheville Good Times, our city guide next door — that’s where Mount Mitchell State Park lives in full.
More hikes & nature
Strawberry Gap Trailhead Locals’ pick
Steady climb, real lookout at the top, and you'll likely have the view mostly to yourself. Leave the dog at home, it's not dog-friendly.
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
An easy, dog-friendly loop, about as low-stress as trails get. Good when you want fresh air without committing to a real climb. Pop into the center for maps and Parkway intel.