15 best mountain towns in North Carolina

Quick answer: The 15 best mountain towns in North Carolina are Asheville, Franklin, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Boone, Brevard, Cherokee, Hendersonville, Saluda, Blowing Rock, Sylva, Morganton, Murphy, Maggie Valley and Black Mountain. Each offers hiking, waterfalls and mountain scenery, with plenty of food, beer and culture in between.

North Carolina, in the southern United States, is one of the most beautiful states to visit. It is home to amazing mountain and beach towns with picturesque views of nature.

Its beautifully preserved mountain towns are perfect for hiking and camping amid unreal scenery. NC isn’t only famous for mountains and beaches, though: it’s heaven for beer lovers, and its restaurants serve a wide variety of cuisines.

If you’re visiting NC for the first time and aren’t sure which mountain towns to stay in, don’t worry. Here are the 15 best mountain towns in North Carolina.

Mountain town	Best for
Asheville	Blue Ridge hiking, river sports, street art
Franklin	Quiet nature, families, museums
Banner Elk	Challenging hikes near Grandfather Mountain
Beech Mountain	Year-round outdoors, winter sports
Boone	Blue Ridge Parkway, parks and gardens
Brevard	Waterfalls, food and brews
Cherokee	Great Smoky Mountains, family trips, history
Hendersonville	Historic buildings, DuPont Forest
Saluda	Shops, galleries, festivals
Blowing Rock	Mystery mountain hike, dining
Sylva	Great Smoky Mountains, downtown, river fun
Morganton	Brown Mountain Lights, Lake James
Murphy	Family recreation, Hiwassee Dam
Maggie Valley	Motorcycle museum, waterfalls
Black Mountain	Relaxing, shopping, trails

1. Asheville

Asheville is a gem of North Carolina with countless things to do, from scenic nature to history, culture, food and beer. If you want to spend time on the water, head to the French Broad River for kayaking, paddling and fishing.

The Blue Ridge Mountains are the backbone of the town, and no visit is complete without hiking their trails for beautiful views. You can camp and enjoy a picnic here too.

Art lovers should roam the River Arts District for its street art. Several exhibitions and festivals are held there each year, so join one if it’s happening during your visit.

2. Franklin

Franklin is heaven for nature lovers who want real time in nature away from crowds. It also suits families, with plenty of activities to keep kids entertained. Set in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest, it offers many outdoor activities.

A must-do is Wayah Bald, which you can climb for fantastic views. The town also has several museums; don’t miss the Scottish Tartans Museum, where you can learn about the Scottish heritage connected to Franklin.

3. Banner Elk

Banner Elk has a population of only about 1,200 people but is a popular tourist spot thanks to nearby mountains such as Grandfather Mountain. It was once a place for fishing and hunting, but today there are many activities to enjoy.

For hiking, head to Grandfather Mountain, with about 12 miles of trails. The hikes aren’t easy and may involve some climbing, but the scenery is jaw-dropping.

If time is short, don’t miss Pisgah National Forest, where you can hike to Elk River Falls, a perfect picnic spot with picturesque views.

4. Beech Mountain

If you want to enjoy beautiful scenery with the wind against your face, Beech Mountain is the town for you, and it’s worth seeing in any season. In summer you can hike, bike, explore the area and shop for local goods.

Beech Mountain is open in the winter season too, when you can enjoy snow activities such as skiing. Just be sure you can handle its intense winter.

5. Boone

Boone, in northwestern North Carolina, offers many outdoor activities and is one of the state’s finest mountain towns. Head to the Blue Ridge Parkway to hike and discover the hidden beauty of the mountains.

Don’t miss Moses H. Cone Memorial Park for its stunning scenery. You can also visit the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, home to 200 plant species, and enjoy a picnic as you explore.

6. Brevard

Brevard is about 45 minutes from Asheville, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can camp, hike the trails or bike through the area, and the town also offers delicious food, brews and impressive waterfalls: more than 200 of them.

Moore Cove Falls is a favourite. The hike there isn’t as challenging as many others, so you can bring your kids along.

7. Cherokee

Cherokee sits in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains and is perfect for a family trip, with hiking, delicious food and the region’s rich history to explore.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway are must-visits. You can also swim at waterfalls or enjoy a picnic beside them.

8. Hendersonville

Like Asheville, Hendersonville is a hidden gem with plenty to do. Start at the Hendersonville Visitor Center and admire the town’s historic buildings, renovated over time, such as the Henderson County Courthouse.

One of the best things to do is visit DuPont Forest for outdoor activities, including hikes with beautiful views of western North Carolina’s waterfalls.

9. Saluda

Saluda is a lovely mountain town that has long been a tourist favourite. Hiking is popular, but you can also browse shops and art galleries and enjoy delicious food at its restaurants.

Biking, swimming and fishing are other outdoor options. The town hosts several festivals, such as the Saluda Arts Festival, so join one for maximum fun.

10. Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock is in northwestern North Carolina. The top experience here is visiting the mystery mountain attraction, where things feel a little out of the ordinary and gravity seems not to be obeyed. It’s one of the most fun outings in town.

Downtown has several restaurants serving delicious food to satisfy your taste buds.

11. Sylva

Sylva lies in western NC, in Jackson County, near where the West Fork and East Fork rivers meet. Set among the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s a great base for hiking and camping, with a sea of activities for your vacation.

Sylva also has a beautiful downtown full of shops and restaurants. Other activities include swimming, fishing and kayaking in calm waters.

12. Morganton

Morganton is another beautiful North Carolina mountain town, surrounded by mountains on all sides and ideal for hiking and enjoying the views.

Its main attraction is the Brown Mountain Lights, which draw thousands of travellers each year. Lake James State Park and Pisgah National Forest are also worth visiting for outdoor and water activities.

13. Murphy

In Murphy you can immerse yourself in nature and waterfalls. The must-see spot is the Fires Creek Recreation Area, great for families, with camping, swimming and picnics.

Another highlight is Hiwassee Dam, a hydroelectric dam that has also become a well-visited landmark.

14. Maggie Valley

Maggie Valley is a mountain town near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and two national forests, with fantastic scenery like its neighbours.

It’s heaven for motorcyclists: head to the Wheels Through Time Museum to see antique motorcycles. The valley also has several waterfalls where you can swim and relax.

15. Black Mountain

Last but not least is Black Mountain, a hidden gem where you can sit back, relax and enjoy scenic views. The town has several shops for browsing.

It also has some fine trails, including the Graybeard Trail, a hike with beautiful views of nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best mountain town in North Carolina for first-timers?

Asheville is a great start, combining Blue Ridge hiking, river activities, street art, food and beer.

Which North Carolina mountain town is best for waterfalls?

Brevard, home to more than 200 waterfalls, including the family-friendly hike to Moore Cove Falls.

Which mountain towns are good for families?

Franklin, Cherokee and Murphy all offer plenty of kid-friendly activities.

Conclusion

From lively Asheville to quiet Black Mountain, the best mountain towns in North Carolina offer hiking, waterfalls, history and great food. Pick one or two, head to NC and enjoy the time of your life.