Sunset Over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Fall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

North Carolina

A Road Tripper’s Dream in the Emerald Hills of North Carolina

North Carolina is a joy for the road tripper. Along with sharing a border with Tennessee along the Smokey Mountains National Park, the breathtaking vistas continue along the Blue Ridge Parkway—an uninterrupted scenic highway stretching from the Smokies to Virginia.

Things To See In North Carolina

Watch the sunset over the Smokey Mountains
Wander the Biltmore Estate
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
Learn the ropes at Overland Expo East
Hike Clingmans Dome
Drink some moonshine at Walton’s Distillery
Soak in the sun on the Outer Banks
Hunt for missing colonists on Roanoke Island

The hike to the top of Clingman's Dome may be steep but the end is an amazing vista of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. — **Clingmans Dome**
Observation Tower Hike

Blue Ridge Sunset vision of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Blue Ridge Parkway. — **Blue Ridge**
National Parkway

Visiting Parks In North Carolina

North Carolina’s parks offer a wide variety of environments across the state beaches to mountains. While the state’s shared border with Tennessee makes up half of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, what excites me the most is the North Carolina portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We go out of our way to travel this scenic highway whenever possible. It is a route populated with scenic vistas, campgrounds, and no cross streets.

When to visit – If in doubt, visit the western forests of North Carolina in the fall. The colors are amazing!

Hiking In North Carolina

North Carolina’s mountainous west makes for many scenic hikes. The Appalachian Trail traces the North Carolina and Tennessee border. Similarly, the Great Smoky Mountains are riddled with breathtaking trails.

Camping In North Carolina

North Carolina has a wide range of camping options. Perhaps it is the time of year we tend to visit, but we have enjoyed near seclusion in many of the state run campgrounds deep in North Carolina’s forests.