Top Adventures in Morganton
Hike to High Shoals Falls
From the Jacob Fork parking area in South Mountains State Park, it is a short 1 mile walk over the Jacob River to the High Shoals Waterfall (80'). If you choose to continue past the observation deck, High Shoals Falls Trail (blue circle) climbs up...
2.7 miles
Backpack to Sawtooth Campground in South Mountains SP
This 8.5-mile total trip will take you through the highlights of South Mountains State Park with an overnight stay in one of the drier campsites.
You'll start with a 2.7 mile loop that you can do sans packs before picking up with a 3-mile each wa...
8.5 miles
1500 ft gain
Hiking the South Mountains' Jacob Fork
The journey begins at the Cicero Branch Parking Area along South Mountain Road, following Jacob Fork River Trail. The trail runs along the Fork before ascending Chestnut Knob. After completing the trail, you will find yourself on the highest peak ...
Explore Lake James State Park
The park has about 15 miles of trails with different levels of difficulties . Hiked the Lake Channel Trail along the lake with good views of the lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hiked the Mill's creek trail which is nicely shaded and offers go...
Hike to the Summit of Shortoff Mountain
Start your hike from the Shortoff Mountain Trail off of Wolf Pit Road at the base of Lake James. From the summit there is a small grassy area off a side trail that provided awesome cliff side views of the Gorge and Linville River! You can setup af...
4.4 miles
1321 ft gain
Camp on Shortoff Mountain in the Linville Gorge
The Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, also known as the Grand Canyon of the East, is one of the wildest, most rugged gorges in the eastern United States. It's also an outdoor paradise for hikers and backpackers. Camping here is always a treat and yo...
Hike to Hawksbill Mountain
Starting at the Hawksbill Mountain Trailhead, which is clearly marked start hiking up! The trail starts out with some easy uphill switchbacks and leads you to the first lookout point. Enjoy sometime at the lookout point, but you'll want to keep go...
2.1 miles
660 ft gain
Camp at the Chimneys in the Linville Wilderness
The Chimneys area is a lesser-known camping destination within the Linville Wilderness. The Chimneys are a series of rock formations that rise above Linville Gorge and provide unobstructed panoramic views of the gorge and surrounding mountains. Th...
1 miles
138 ft gain
Hike to the Summit of Table Rock Mountain
Off of Highway 181, the trailhead is very clearly marked with a large parking lot. Although the trail is fairly short, make sure you have your footing, because the trail does switch back and forth in addition to gaining elevation -- it's pretty st...
2.2 miles
572 ft gain
Camp in the Linville Gorge via the Pinch In Trail
We are pretty notorious for passing up a good campsite but we are learning our lessons. We got a late but interesting start on Pinch-In trail. We climbed down a steep 600+ feet after passing this ledge only to climb right back to it a third of a m...
1.5 miles
Hike the Rock Jock Trail
One of the first things I noticed when researching this hike was the conflicting information regarding finding the trail head, length of the hike, and the hike's correct route. Hopefully, as of September 2017, this report will contain the most up-...
6 miles
700 ft gain
Camp on Hawksbill Mountain
Hidden far above the beautiful Linville Gorge stands Hawksbill Mountain, among many other fantastic hikes. The roughly 1.7 mile hike from the dusty gravel parking lot is steep but worth every step. It took me about an hour to conquer with a few wa...
1.7 miles
700 ft gain
Nearby camping, hotels, and more
-
Newland, North Carolina
Linville Falls Campground
Overview Located in a dense pine canopy, within hiking distance of Linville Gorge and along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Falls Campground is an ideal location for your next family campin... -
Union Mills, North Carolina
Happy Tales Campsite
Happy Tales Campsite is located on the grounds of an incredible animal sanctuary nestled in the foothills of the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains! We rescue and house any animals who have been aban...From $108/night
-
Blue Ridge Parkway
Julian Price Campground
Overview Located along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway in the lush green expanses of North Carolina, the Julian Price Campground is a top destination for boating, hiking, fishing and more. Whether it... -
Old Fort, North Carolina
Curtis Creek Campground (Nc)
Overview Curtis Creek Campground is nestled in the mountains at the base of the Blue Ridge just minutes from the quaint town of Old Fort and less than an hour from the popular city of Asheville. Lo... -
Burnsville, North Carolina
Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area
Overview Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area sits in the scenic mountains of Pisgah National Forest. This is a great place for small to medium-sized groups to swim, fish, tube, hike, camp, picnic and... -
Burnsville, North Carolina
Black Mountain Campground
Overview Black Mountain Campground sits in the shadow of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern U.S. and borders the South Toe River. Black Mountain is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast.Re...
