Explore our Outdoors
No matter your experience level or abilities, there’s an incredible outdoor experience waiting for you in Blowing Rock. Not sure where to start? Learn more here about how to get out there with these links and the posts below:
Make it Your Nature to Leave No Trace >>
Join the Movement & Be a Steward >>
Year of the Trail- see our recommendations from hiking a trail each week of the year! >>
<Featured image by Rachelle Chapman>
Outdoor Tips & Guides
Trip Tips: Recreation Primer for Blowing Rock
Are you considering a first-time visit to Blowing Rock? Looking to get outdoors but not sure how to plan ahead? For this primer, our Trip Tip host Brian Baldwin answers some basic questions about the recreational areas around Blowing Rock. Brian is the store manager...
What to Pack for a New or Longer Hike
One of Blowing Rock’s most beloved pastimes is hiking in the beautiful surrounding wilderness. When heading out to a short, familiar path, you can often just grab a water bottle and go. But sometimes you may be in the mood for exploring a new trail or taking a longer hike, and it’s always best to be prepared! What do you need for a new or longer hike?
Cross Country Skiing Access
Cross Country Skiing enthusiasts have been coming to the mountains for years to enjoy the snow and hone their skill. The Carriage Trails at Moses Memorial Cone Park in Blowing Rock offer 25 miles of trails that are wide and well maintained year-round.
Fishing Near Blowing Rock
The High Country’s beautiful streams, lakes, and rivers provide wildlife sanctuaries and many recreational opportunities- like fishing! The best times of year to fish for trout here in in the High Country are the spring, fall, and winter months, when the water temperature is between 45° and 65°. Our waters offer excellent opportunities for catching brown, brook, and rainbow trout.
Water Adventure
Are you looking for a place by the water to enjoy the view? Perhaps you’d like to cool off on a warm Blue Ridge day. The Blowing Rock area features lots of places where water and related activities are the main attraction.
Birding in Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway and bordered by the Pisgah National Forest, providing close proximity and easy access to a multitude of habitats. This area of the Blue Ridge Mountains provides a home for about 160 breeding species of birds, with over...