Plus a 1 Day Itinerary Created by a Travel Expert!
I’ve invited fellow travel blogger and hiker, Kristen from younderlustramblings.com, to share her favorite day trip to North Carolina, Mount Mitchell State Park.
Complete with a specially curated one-day itinerary just for you!
As a seasoned traveler who has hiked ALL of the 50 U.S. high points, Kristen claims Mount Mitchell is one of her favorite hikes on the East coast. Kristen brings a wealth of both professional insights and personal experiences.
So, let’s dive in and discover what Kristen has in store for us today!
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Guest Post By Kristen Czudak from www.yonderlustramblings.com
About Mount Mitchell State Park
Mount Mitchell State Park is one of the top outdoor destinations in North Carolina, both literally and figuratively. And that’s because this serene state park contains the challenging hike to the state high point of North Carolina, the summit of Mount Mitchell itself!
Fun FAQ: Did you know that at 6,684 ft. Mount Mitchell is the highest point in North Carolina AND East of the Mississippi River?
At less than an hour from Asheville, Mount Mitchell State Park is an ideal day trip. So whether you visit to tackle the highest point in the state, or to check out the additional trails, campgrounds, and waterfalls in the area, Mount Mitchell State Park is a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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What type of Traveler is this Itinerary Good For?
This itinerary is best for adventurous couples and families.
Mount Mitchell State Park is a haven of outdoor recreational opportunities, but hiking to the summit of Mount Mitchell itself is best suited for adults, as it is over 10 miles in length and over 3,000 feet in elevation gain. 😮
Mount Mitchell State Park With Kids
However, there is a suitable alternative for families with young children – you can drive to the summit of Mount Mitchell and experience the breathtaking and iconic views together.
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Directions to Mount Mitchell State Park
Mount Mitchell State Park is located northeast of Asheville, North Carolina. It is just over 33 miles away, or approximately 1 hour driving time.
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Pro Tip #1
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The majority of the driving route occurs along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.
Pro Tip #2
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To help your drive time fly by and learn more about the area, take a self-guided audio tour of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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Where is Mount Mitchell Located?
Mount Mitchell State Park is located in the southwest corner of Western North Carolina, in Pisgah National Forest.
It is an hour northeast of Asheville, located along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
How Far from Asheville?
Mount Mitchell is 33 miles northeast of Asheville, or approximately 1 hour drive time.
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Why Visit Mount Mitchell State Park?
Mount Mitchell State Park is not just home to secluded campgrounds, mesmerizing waterfalls, and shady hiking trails.
Most notably, it is home to Mount Mitchell, which is the highest point in North Carolina, but also the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.
This claim to fame draws many hikers to this summit, in order to tackle a challenging uphill hike with rewarding panoramas, as well as one of the 50 U.S. state high points!
For those that don’t wish to hike the entire trail, you can also drive to the top and enjoy the scenery from the viewing platform, or take on a shorter hike on the summit nature trail.
There’s even a cafe and eatery on the summit where you can enjoy a light meal or snack.
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When is the Best Time to Visit Mount Mitchell?
Mount Mitchell State Park is enjoyable year round, but spring and fall are the best times to visit.
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Where to Stay When Visiting Mount Mitchell?
Asheville, NC
Asheville, North Carolina is an ideal place to call home base during a trip to Mount Mitchell State Park. It is only an hour away, and has a multitude of lodging options, including hotels and vacation rentals.
There is also plenty of shopping, dining, and additional attractions in Asheville.
Black Mountain
You could also choose to stay in one of the smaller towns surrounding Mount Mitchell State Park, like Black Mountain.
Camping
Finally, for the closest possible accommodations, you could camp within the state park at designated campgrounds.
Map of Camping Options Near Mount Mitchell State Park
Roadtrippers.com Makes Finding Camping Locations a Breeze!
Lodging Suggestions
Budget friendly – Mount Mitchell State Park Campground / Black Mountain Campground / Dispersed Camping in Pisgah National Forest.
Mid-Range Places to Stay Near Mount Mitchell
Mid range – hotels and/or vacation rentals in Black Mountain and Swannanoa, North Carolina
Luxury Places to Stay Near Mount Mitchell
Luxury – higher end hotel chains in Asheville, North Carolina
Dog-Friendly Places to Stay Near Mount Mitchell
Dog friendly – camping in the state park or surrounding Pisgah National Forest or dog friendly hotels near Mount Mitchell such as:
Unique Places to Stay Near Mount Mitchell
Unique – glamping, barn stays, and treehouse stays in the surrounding area, including Swannanoa, Black Mountain, and Asheville area.
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Sample 1 Day Itinerary: Mount Mitchell State Park
Morning:
Drive to Black Mountain State Park
Breakfast Suggestion – Because this state park is remote and located within a National Forest, dining options are limited. However, if you are coming from Asheville or one of the smaller towns in the area, there are plenty of breakfast eateries to pick from, like the Breakfast Shoppe located in Swannanoa.
Pro Tip!
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If you are specifically visiting Mount Mitchell State Park to hike to the summit, consider packing a breakfast and eating on the way there, as you will want to aim for an early morning start on the trail.
What To Do
The top attraction at Mount Mitchell State Park is Mount Mitchell itself. This peak is the highest point in the state as well as east of the Mississippi, so hiking it is a top activity.
Length of Trail: The Mount Mitchell Trail is 12 miles roundtrip out and back, and covers just shy of 4,000 feet of elevation gain. The trailhead is located in the Black Mountain Campground.
Admission: There are no fees to park or hike the Mount Mitchell Trail.
Difficulty Level: This is rated as a difficult trail due to the length and elevation gain, taking about 4-6 hours on average to complete.
The Mount Mitchell trail should only be attempted by experienced hikers, and it is recommended to start early in the morning.
Want to soak in the high point views without committing to the 12 miles of hiking? You can drive to the summit, where you will find a short nature trail encircling the top of the mountain, an expansive viewing platform, as well as the Mount Mitchell Cafe and Eatery.
Afternoon:
Whether you have hiked the Mount Mitchell Trail or not, there are plenty of additional attractions in the area to make the most of the remaining afternoon.
Lunch Suggestion – If you don’t stop at the Mount Mitchell Cafe and Eatery as part of your hike, then I would highly suggest driving to the top for lunch. It’s a one of a kind dining experience from the highest peak in the state!
What To Do
There are a handful of other great hiking trails to check out in the park, including
🥾 the Deep Gap Trail
🥾 and Big Tom Gap Trail.
You can also check out other hiking trails in the surrounding Pisgah National Forest.
Just outside the boundaries of Mount Mitchell State Park, you can visit several waterfalls, such as;
🏞 Douglas Falls
🏞 Middle Creek Falls, and
🏞 Glassmine Falls
Finally, for a slower pace activity, you can take a scenic 🚗 Walker Knob Overlook
🚗 and the Ridge Junction Overlook
Evening:
Return to wherever home base may be, whether it’s camping within the state park, or lodging in Asheville.
Dinner Suggestion: North Carolina is known for its unique brand of barbecue, and you would be remiss to not take the opportunity to sample some for dinner.
Where to Eat Near Mount Mitchell
You can opt for smaller barbecue joints, like:
Phil’s BBQ Pit in Black Mountain
Okie Dokie’s Smokehouse in Swannanoa
12 Bones Smokehouse, River Arts District Asheville
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Other things to do in Mount Mitchell State Park:
There are numerous outdoor opportunities in Mount Mitchell State Park, including:
over a dozen hiking trails, the most popular being the state high point hike on Mount Mitchell.
🏔 there are also camping opportunities
🏔 picnicking
🏔 eating at the seasonal on site restaurant
🏔 exploring the museum
🏔 bird watching
There is no shortage of additional outdoor attractions, as well as historical and cultural attractions to enjoy in the immediate area, including
⭐ North Carolina Arboretum
⭐ Asheville Art Museum
⭐ the Western North Carolina Nature Center
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Other Tips to Know When Planning Your Trip to Mount Mitchell State Park:
COST: It is free to enter Mount Mitchell State Park
HOURS: Mount Mitchell State Park is open 7 days a week year round (except Christmas Day). Daily hours are seasonal. Some park services, like the museum, gift shop, and restaurant, are only open spring through fall.
ACCESSIBILITY: Parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway can close during the winter due to snow and ice.
PETS: Leashed pets are welcome at Mount Mitchell State Park.
Fun Fact: Mount Mitchel State Park often hosts a First Day hike on New Years day! It’s a great way to start off the new year! Click here to get more info about First Day Hikes in North Carolina.
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Kristen Czudak is an author, hiker, and adventurer who has hiked the 50 U.S. state high points, including Mount Mitchell at Mount Mitchell State Park! It remains one of her favorite hikes on the east coast, and one of her favorite regions of the country to sample local cuisine (BBQ)!
Other Places to Connect with Kristen:
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I want to extend a warm “Thank you” to Kristen for taking time to share her personal and professional experience with us!
