The Appalachian Mountains reach their apex in western North Carolina, forming an unparalleled wilderness playground for hikers, mountain bikers, whitewater kayakers, and anyone else who loves the outdoors. Centered on the community of Asheville, the Nantahala, Cherokee, and Pisgah National Forests spread across the slopes of the Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains and are lined with great trails and rivers. Straddling the North Carolina - Tennessee border, hikers and backpackers on the Appalachian Trail cross the "Southern Balds" and climb to the trail’s highest point on the summit of Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Higher still is Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet not just the highest point in North Carolina but also anywhere east of the Mississippi. As centerpiece of the Black Mountains, Mount Mitchell State Park is easily accessible along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a beautiful scenic drive with multiple opportunities for easy hikes and day trips from the many trailheads along the way. Plenty of good campgrounds are along the Blue Ridge Parkway as well, especially in the Shining Rock Wilderness around Mount Pisgah.
However, outdoor enthusiasts from the heavily populated central part of the state in Charlotte, Winston-Salem-Greensboro, and Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill can just as easily head east to the spectacular North Carolina coast for adventure as they can to the western mountains. Forming one long barrier island, Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras National Seashores ("The Outer Banks") together form an amazing expanse of sandy beach for fishing, sea kayaking, or just relaxing with the family.
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