So my girlfriend and I are looking to spend a weekend in the mountains, but neither one of us are from NC so we don't really know where to go. The closer, the better though. Anyone have any ideas?

9/10/2009 11:30:00 AM

hanging rock state park is close and pretty nice. Stone mountain state park is about 3 hours away and also very nice.

9/10/2009 11:55:28 AM

wherever theres some woods and some ground underneath your feet

but you start by heading westward

[Edited on September 10, 2009 at 12:02 PM. Reason : d]

9/10/2009 12:02:25 PM

I second hanging rock if you like base/car camping. We just got back from there and there's a few good trails and it's not very far away. If you really like hiking and would want to hike longer but less strenuous distances, I also enjoy South Mountain State Park. Its a little farther but enjoyable as well.

9/10/2009 12:03:02 PM

Ha ha I think I want to go to the mountains for my birthday. Was going to make my own thread but hopefully I can get some ideas from this one?

But I want to stay in a cabin in November. I found one in Bryson City. But I am not sure where a good place to go would be. I would like to do things like horseback riding or whatever. But I am not even sure if there is anything to do in November... Any suggestions? anyone?

9/10/2009 12:23:27 PM

Quote :

"I also enjoy South Mountain State Park. Its a little farther but enjoyable as well."

South Mountain is a great place to go during the off peak season, but it gets crowded as hell from May - Sept. Plus you gotta deal with the rangers if you want to camp.

If you're looking for seclusion, go to Harper's Creek...One of my favorite places. I went for a few days over labor day, and on one of the busiest weekends of the year, I only saw a few other groups of people all weekend, and only one of those groups was actually camping....Of course you gotta hike in/out and there are 0 facilities for the lady.

9/10/2009 1:01:13 PM

I love staying in the pisgah area.

9/10/2009 1:05:07 PM

Lake James State Park is close to Morganton. The scenery is very nice but there is not much to do in the area. Campsites are primitive and walking trails connect the camping area to a nice park and dock.

9/10/2009 1:23:34 PM

Quote :

"I second third hanging rock if you like base/car camping. We just got back from there and there's a few good trails and it's not very far away."

9/10/2009 1:40:59 PM

Linville Gorge

[Edited on September 10, 2009 at 1:58 PM. Reason : -]

9/10/2009 1:42:28 PM

Uwharrie National Forest is closer than Hanging Rock or going up into the mountains. There is a big lake that you can go hiking around.

9/10/2009 3:02:49 PM

^ uwharrie's only closer by about 15 minutes of drive time

9/10/2009 3:07:19 PM

If you went to hanging rock you'd be camping near my backyard!

9/10/2009 3:07:52 PM

^ zomg, why didn't you join us?

9/10/2009 3:10:21 PM

I'm actually planning two camping trips right now for october I like to be freezing when I camp, so I aim for campgrounds in higher elevations. I've included a link to a relevant google maps view for each site.

These are ones I am considering/have tabs open for at the moment:
Julian Price, on the Parkway
Van Hook Glade, near Bridal Veil Falls
Davidson River, near Brevard and Sliding Rock.
Linville Falls. B = Linville Falls Visitor center
North Mills River. Lake Powhatan is nearby, and I gotta say, I was so thoroughly disappointed by the lake when I went there in June - we stayed at a different campground, but North Mills was the other one I considered for that trip.
Cheoah Point, way out in BFE. Speaking from personal experience, get out that way and to the campground by dark US 129 is also known as the Tail of the Dragon. Visit Fontana if you have time - especially if you bring/have a boat.

Mount Pisgah is where I stayed last year. I like all the hiking in the area.

[Edited on September 10, 2009 at 4:57 PM. Reason : asdfg]

9/10/2009 4:53:02 PM

bridal veil falls is incredibly pathetic...not worth seeing

i've camped at davidson river...it's nice, but nothing special

9/10/2009 8:02:13 PM

we literally were just driving along when we came across it.

Good to know about Davidson river.'

There is an absolutely breathtaking cascade not too far from it. Don't ask me what it's called or where it is, though - I saw it while driving, and was quite pleased, but wanted to get home.

It's the kind of pretty that stays in your mind for years.

[Edited on September 10, 2009 at 8:50 PM. Reason : asdfg]

9/10/2009 8:42:51 PM

I hear they have pretty cool camping grounds/trails around Grandfather Mountain.

[Edited on September 10, 2009 at 8:46 PM. Reason : asdf]

9/10/2009 8:45:39 PM

pigeon forge/gatlinburg TN

9/11/2009 12:53:41 AM

Linville Gorge

9/11/2009 3:25:42 AM

Max Patch, just north of the smokies on the AT. Bald mountain with good views.

I'd hit up Roan mountain in all honesty (~ 4 hr drive). Starting on the north side you have a good uphill hike to the balds with 360 views and camping just before them. Plus there are some shelters scattered about, on the AT, that should have running water this time of year. Check with the park to make sure though. It's got a good view of grandfather mountain as well...from the balds

Roan mountain is undoubtably one of the best mountains in NC that i've hiked with respect to location, views, camping and hiking...plus, Bob's Dairy land is like 15 minutes away...best hamburgers in NC

Theres also Joyce kilmer...There is a virgin poplar forest there...



[Edited on September 11, 2009 at 10:59 AM. Reason : ah, to camp and hike again...one day]

[Edited on September 11, 2009 at 11:02 AM. Reason : d]

9/11/2009 10:54:59 AM

I'll give Pilot Mountain a mention. It's about a 2 hour drive. There's a nice trail from the camp up to the pinnacle.

Then again Pilot Mountain really ins't surrounded by mountains. It's just out there all by itself.

9/11/2009 12:30:14 PM

i just re-read the original post and realized that he didn't say anything about camping...which are the only suggestions he's been given in this thread

9/11/2009 2:03:13 PM

I have to preserve that response, because you're gonna realize your mistake and edit it out

Quote :

"i just re-read the original post and realized that he didn't say anything about camping...which are the only suggestions he's been given in this thread "

read the thread title.

9/11/2009 2:04:51 PM

massive, unequivocal



sonofabitch, it's time to go home

9/11/2009 2:16:53 PM

9/11/2009 2:17:45 PM

bah, too late to edit.

gooogle map I did for myself - might as well share.

9/11/2009 3:05:46 PM