North Carolina
Craggy Gardens on the Blue Ridge Parkway offers high-elevation blooms, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park has deep forest mileage. Parking tags are…
Craggy Gardens on the Blue Ridge Parkway offers high-elevation blooms, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park has deep forest mileage. Parking tags are required in the Smokies, so purchase one before leaving the car.
Why North Carolina's high country keeps drawing hikers back
North Carolina pairs two of America's most loved mountain landscapes. Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, high-elevation stops like Craggy Gardens add sweeping views and, in season, beautiful blooms just a short walk from the road. Nearby, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers deep, misty forest and hundreds of miles of trails, from easy creekside strolls to demanding climbs. Elevations keep summers cooler than the lowlands, and the mix of roadside viewpoints and backcountry means every fitness level finds a walk that feels epic.
What to do, step by step
- Split your time: a Parkway highlight such as Craggy Gardens for views, plus one deeper Smokies trail for forest immersion.
- Check Parkway closures, Smokies alerts, and mountain weather before you go - fog and storms roll in fast at elevation.
- Sort parking first: buy the required Smokies parking tag before leaving your car, and arrive early at popular trailheads.
- Pack layers even in summer, plus water and grippy shoes; high trails are cooler, wetter, and slicker than towns below.
- Leave no trace: stay on trail around fragile blooms, never feed wildlife, and pack out all trash.
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