Town Information

BOONE

The Town of Boone serves as the seat of Watauga County and is home to Appalachian State University. The town acquired its name from the famous pioneer and explorer Daniel Boone, who on several occasions camped within the present city limits as he traveled through the area on his way to Kentucky in the late 1700s. Through the years, Boone has become the hub of commerce in the North Carolina High Country area, offering virtually everything a resident or visitor can desire. Boone has long been a favorite vacation destination, beginning in the 1880s when Southerners came here to escape the summer heat. Today, Boone is recognized by travel journalists as an “ultimate outdoor adventure destination” in the Southeast. The Town of Boone was incorporated in 1872 and its current population is 17,186. At 3,333 feet, Boone has the highest elevation of any town of its size east of the Mississippi River.

BANNER ELK

The Town of Banner Elk is a beautiful mountain town away from the busy crowds where one can still have access to the finer conveniences found in larger metropolitan areas. Located in Avery County, it is surrounded by some of the highest mountains east of the Rockies, including Grandfather Mountain and Beech Mountain. Banner Elk is home to Lees-McRae College and features a lively arts and cultural scene, complete with an intimate pedestrian shopping district of upscale boutiques and outstanding restaurants. The town Photo by Todd Bush was first settled in 1825 and incorporated in 1911. Today, it has a population of about 1,000 full-time residents. Banner Elk sits at 3,739 feet above sea level.

BEECH MOUNTAIN

At an elevation of 5,526 feet above sea level, Beech Mountain is the highest incorporated community east of the Mississippi River. A visit to the Town offers exciting outdoor recreation and mile-high relaxation. In summer, adventure seekers flock to the Emerald Outback at Beech Mountain, a trail park which features more than eight miles of gorgeous trails near the top of the mountain. Hiking, mountain biking and trail running are prevalent in the Emerald Outback, as well as on several other miles of in-town trails maintained by the parks and recreation department. Downhill mountain biking trails, complete with lift service, are available during the warmer months at Beech Mountain Resort. Those trails range from beginner to advanced. There’s also fishing, golfing and the town’s Buckeye Recreation Center -- activities include indoor and outdoor tennis, volleyball and a stateof-the-art playground. And there’s also a modern fitness center and indoor basketball. Families and seniors also covet summer vacations on Beech enjoying 100-mile mountain vistas and mild summer temperatures that average in the low to mid 70s.

The Village of Sugar Mountain was incorporated as a township in 1988, and has grown easily into the perfect resort destination in the North Carolina High Country. The four-seasons resort community debuted in 1968, anchored by the south’s flagship winter ski resort. Today, Sugar Mountain is known for its spring, summer and fall activities, too. The fabulous golf course opened for play in 1974. The par-64 layout maximizes every view, every mountain brook and every stand of rhododendron and forest on the 60-acre site. The tennis at Sugar is just as spectacular. Six courts, meticulously maintained of fast-dry, Har-tru clay, are wildly popular from May through October. And, like the golf, the tennis facilities are open to everyone, either on a pay-as-you-go basis, or economical season pass options. Perhaps Sugar Mountain’s greatest allure, however, is its location. Central to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the heralded resort towns of Blowing Rock, Boone, Banner Elk and Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain is arguably the perfect spot for every High Country adventure. Hundreds of condominiums, town homes, chalets and cabins are available to visitors at very affordable prices. Discover a rare place of tranquility, beauty and great times. All that and more waits just for you on Sugar Mountain. Come share our world!

BLOWING ROCK

The Town of Blowing Rock is only three square miles, yet is home to more than 100 shops, about two dozen restaurants and nearly 20 hotels and inns. Blowing Rock was named “Prettiest Small Town in North Carolina” in a poll of in-state travel professionals and writers, and in 2008 the town was named a “Favorite Southern Destination” by readers of Southern Living. Its Main Street and adjacent Town Park has been a tourist destination for more than 100 years. Known as “the Crown of the Blue Ridge,” this quaint mountain village sits astride the Eastern Continental Divide at a cool elevation of 3,500 to 4,000 feet above sea level and has a permanent year-round population of approximately 1,425. It was incorporated in 1889.

Just Up The Road To Roan Mountain Tennessee’s Outdoor Playground

Travel 194 South from Banner Elk and take a right and you will discover that your idyllic mountain getaway still exists! The cabin located by a babbling brook, panoramic mountain views, adventure sports opportunities, and fantastic indie dining combine with an uncomplicated lifestyle and relaxing pace in Roan Mountain, “Tennessee’s Outdoor Playground”.

All Trails Lead To Roan Mountain! In 2016, the Roan Mountain community became the 41st official Appalachian Trail Community, (and only the second in Tennessee). Host to thousands of hiking

enthusiasts every year, this trail town was rated the number one scenic section of the entire AT in an exit poll by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine in 2019. This section of trail culminates in the breathtaking expansive 180° views found at Carver’s Gap. At 6,285 feet (1,916 m), the mountain is the highest point in Tennessee outside the Great Smoky Mountains. Visitors will Ranger Phil Hyman makes certain guests have a great experience. At Roan Mountain State also find the world’s largest natural Rhododendron Park, the crown jewel of the gardens there. The Tennessee state park system. Appalachian Trail intersects with the historic Overmountain Victory Trail at multiple points here, including the community

Roan Mountain State Park offers lodging options from Cabins to RV camp Sites, a swimming pool, amphitheater, and miles of hiking trails.

park for cyclists, and the “Tweetsie Trail Extension” is a picturesque route through Roan Mountain along the Doe River on the Old Railroad Grade. The ride culminates at the Blevins Bridge, a historic Keystone Bridge Company railroad trestle originally constructed for the ET&WNC Railroad, built in the 1800s. There are abundant equestrian options here as well, with the Backcountry Horsemen of East Tennessee’s recent expansion of riding loops into the wild and scenic Cherokee National Forest, accessed from the “Happy Trails” parking area off the Old Railroad Grade.

For those who prefer river adventures to the trail, anglers will find what Garden and Gun Magazine described as trout waters that typically flow only in anglers’ dreams. The Doe River Hiking Trail offers multiple access points to the trophy trout waters of the Doe River, which are stocked by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. This well-marked fishing trail offers ample parking opportunities and even handicap accessibility in some locations. Whitewater Kayaking enthusiasts also enjoy this natural flow river run with numerous access points between Roan Mountain and Hampton, and even a changing room at the takeout point.

Voted #1 in the Tennessee Park System, thousands of visitors choose to visit the Roan Mountain State Park each year. Park visitors can enjoy valley or mountain camping in one of the finest campgrounds in the country. Completely modern cabins are also available for rent there. The park also features picnic shelters, a swimming pool, tennis courts, children’s play areas, and extensive hiking trails. During summer weekends a variety of concerts and other entertainment may be enjoyed in the park amphitheater.

Foodies in the family will not be disappointed here, either. Roan Mountain is home to almost a dozen indie restaurants offering a range of cuisine including international fare from Thailand and Mexico, artisan baked goods, pizza, barbecue and homestyle cooking. One local eatery, Bob’s Dairyland, recently won a best food on the Appalachian Trail hiker poll in Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. The Station at 19E offers a craft beer tap room featuring 13 rotating taps and extensive selection of bottles and cans, as well as a music hall with live entertainment.

Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center

Lodging options include camping, “glamping”, hostels, state park rental cabins, an RV park and numerous Air B&B experiences. Whether you are looking for a day hike on the most scenic part on the southern Appalachian Trail, experiencing the wonder and views from the largest natural rhododendron garden, accepting the challenge of the Doe Rover Fishing Trail, or birding in the Hampton Creek Cove natural area Roan Mountain is the place for your next “Daycation” or weekend stay. The Roan Mountain community is just a short drive from the ski areas in Banner Elk. The drive takes you along scenic mountain roads and across the NC/TN State Line before reaching Roan Mountain.