Enjoy 75-mile views from atop this ancient monolith that soars 1,200 ft above the valley floor. Park includes elevator access, hiking trails, waterfall, and children’s trail.
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Archives for Natural Heritage
Bechtler Mint
After NC’s gold rush in the early 1800s, jeweler Christopher Bechtler opened a private mint. By 1837, he’d minted $2.4 million in coins from local gold, including the first $1 gold coin in the U.S.
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Linville Caverns
Enchanting Linville Caverns offers tours of incredible "rooms" and fanciful underground labyrinths that have been carved in the subterranean rock by slowly moving groundwater.
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Hot Springs
The warm waters of the springs, the rush of the French Broad River, the Appalachian Trail, and a rich music tradition combine to attract visitors to Hot Springs.
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South Mountains State Park
Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to this park, considered the state’s most rugged with its 80-foot waterfall, more than 45 miles of trails, and cold mountain streams.
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Linville Gorge, Brown Mountain Overlook
Nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Linville Gorge is one of the wildest, most rugged places in the eastern United States. It became a federal Wilderness Area in 1964.
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Lost Coves Cliffs Overlook
Dense tree canopies shelter isolated forest inlets or “coves.” From this overlook, the mysterious Brown Mountain Lights have been spotted over the centuries.
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NC Arboretum
Natural Heritage.
Asheville, Exhibits, Family Fun, Museums, Natural Wonders, and Outdoor Recreation.
Asheville, Exhibits, Family Fun, Museums, Natural Wonders, and Outdoor Recreation.
Considered one of the finest public gardens in the Southern Appalachians, the Arboretum emphasizes connections between local culture and the landscape.
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Grandfather Mountain
Located near Linville, Grandfather Mountain is a state park famous for its "Mile High Swinging Bridge," panoramic vistas, wildlife, events, and superb alpine hiking.
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