The Blue Ridge runs from northern Virginia through the Carolinas into north Georgia. Pick a region below to see what is there, then find a rental close by.
The High Country is northwestern North Carolina's highest ground, with Grandfather Mountain, several ski areas and the Blue Ridge Parkway running through it. Banner Elk, Boone and Blowing Rock make good bases in every season.
Linville, NC · NC High Country
A nonprofit nature park with the Mile High Swinging Bridge, hiking trails and wildlife habitats. The summit area is often windy and cooler than the valleys. Admission is charged at the entrance.
Linville, NC · NC High Country
A curving concrete bridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway that winds around the side of Grandfather Mountain. A short paved path from the visitor center gets you underneath for views of the bridge. Phone shown is the Parkway's main number.
Blowing Rock, NC · NC High Country
A rock outcrop high above the Johns River gorge, known for a local legend and wide valley views. It sits just outside the town of Blowing Rock, which has shops and restaurants on its main street.
Boone, NC · NC High Country
A college town with a walkable downtown of shops, restaurants and breweries. It is a handy base for the rest of the High Country. Contact details here are for the visitor center.
Blowing Rock, NC · NC High Country
A family theme park built around a coal-fired steam train ride through the woods. It also has rides, shows and seasonal events. Hours and operating seasons change, so check the website.
Sugar Mountain, NC · NC High Country
The tallest ski mountain in North Carolina, with a wide range of slopes and a tubing park in winter. Many of the rentals in the area are close to its slopes.
Beech Mountain, NC · NC High Country
A ski resort on the highest town in the eastern United States, with slopes and snow tubing in winter. The area also has mountain biking and views in warmer months.
Blowing Rock, NC · NC High Country
A small, family-friendly ski area near Blowing Rock with night skiing and a ski school. It has beginner terrain and is often a good choice for people learning.
Linville Falls, NC · NC High Country
A multi-tiered waterfall at the head of Linville Gorge, with short trails to several overlooks. The visitor center and trailhead are off a spur road from the Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost 316. Phone shown is the Parkway's main number.
Linville Falls, NC · NC High Country
A deep, rugged gorge in Pisgah National Forest, often called the Grand Canyon of the East. Wiseman's View is a short walk from a road and gives a broad look into the gorge. Trails inside the gorge are steep and demanding. Contact details are for the Forest Service's Grandfather Ranger District.
Valle Crucis, NC · NC High Country
A quiet valley community known for the original Mast General Store, which has operated for more than a century. Nearby are farms, galleries and a creek-side setting.
Banner Elk, NC · NC High Country
A small mountain town with restaurants, shops and a college, close to several ski areas. It hosts the Woolly Worm Festival every October, where racing caterpillars supposedly predict winter weather.
Todd, NC · NC High Country
A state park with a trail to a high summit and open views across the High Country and into Tennessee. The summit trail is steady but not technical. Check the park's website for trail closures.
Laurel Springs, NC · NC High Country
A long stretch of one of the oldest rivers in North America, with canoe and tube access and camping. The park has several access points along the river. Navigation apps often misplace the main address, so use the park's directions.
Roan Mountain, TN · NC High Country
A high ridge on the Tennessee and North Carolina line known for grassy balds and a large stand of Catawba rhododendron that blooms in mid-to-late June. The Rhododendron Gardens are managed by the Forest Service, and Roan Mountain State Park is nearby in the valley.