Museum exhibits tell of life in these mountains from Native American and early European settlement through the CCC and the development of the national park.
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Archives for Natural Wonders
Pearson’s Falls
Over 200 species of native deciduous and evergreen trees, flowering plants, wildflowers, and fern thrive in this 268-acre sanctuary. A moderate trail leads to a 90-foot waterfall.
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Nantahala Lake
Located in the Nantahala National Forest at an elevation 3,012 feet, the lake is the second highest lake east of the Mississippi.
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Little Tennessee Greenway
This Greenway meanders along the river through Franklin, where visitors can experience wetlands and upland woods, wildflowers, and wildlife, especially migratory birds.
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Mount Mitchell State Park
Burnsville, Exhibits, Family Fun, Museums, Natural Wonders, and Outdoor Recreation.
Mount Mitchell, easily accessible off the Blue Ridge Parkway, is the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River and the centerpiece of North Carolina’s first state park.
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Hickory Nut Gorge
Rushing waters, rocky cliffs, a giant waterfall, lake views and pristine forests make Hickory Nut Gorge a popular destination for hikers, leaf-peepers, and photography buffs.
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Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
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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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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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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NC Arboretum
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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