Summer Activities

⭐ = Staff Favorites!

Click on the Business Name to be redirected to their website.

Check their website for accurate store hours.

Altapass Orchard

• a seasonal orchard where you can pick your own apples, full of local goodies to buy inside their store too

• Location: 1025 Orchard Road, Blue Ridge Parkway MM 328.3, Spruce Pine NC 28777

• Phone: (828) 765-9531

Apple Hill Farm

• mountain top farm home to alpacas, llamas, and goats; advanced tickets required

• Location: 400 Apple Hill Road, Banner Elk Nc 28604

• Phone: (828) 963-1662

Linville Caverns

• active limestone caverns open year-round with guided tours

• Location: 19929 US-221, Marion NC 28752

• Phone: (828) 756-4171

828Flies ⭐

• everything you'll need for a day out on the river

• Location: 133 Shelby Street, Banner Elk NC 28604

• Phone: (828) 967-0257

Linville Land Harbor

• 18 holes of tree lined fairways, several water features, and excellent conditioning

• Location: 1665 Goose Hollow Road, Linville NC 28646

• Phone: (828) 733-8325

Mini Golf at Brick Oven Pizza

• 18 holes of mini golf with one of the best views on Beech Mountain 

• Location: 402 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain NC 28604

• Phone: (828) 387-4000

Mountain Glen Golf Club

• scenic mountain golf at it's best, public 18-hole golf club with snack bar

• Location: 1 Club House Drive, Newland NC 28657

• Phone: (828) 733-5804

Beacon Heights

• half mile trail located on the Blue Ridge Parkway

• Location: Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 305.2

Grandfather Mountain Profile Hiking Trail

• strenuous 7.2 mile round trip

• Location: 4198 NC Highway 105 North, Banner Elk NC 28604

Rough Ridge Lookout

• 1.2 mile hike starting at the Rough Ridge Trailhead on the Blue Ridge Parkway

• Location: 3218 Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville NC 28646

Blowing Rock Trail Rides

• custom two hour guided rides in the park with an experienced trail guide and trustworthy horses

• Email: blowingrocktrailrides@gmail.com

Elk Mountain Riding Co.

• experience the beauty of a western-style guided trail ride with breathtaking views of the blue ridge mountains

• Location: 161 Johnson Road, Newland NC 28657

• Phone: (828) 351-4041

Price Lake Rentals

• rent by the hour canoes, paddleboards, three different kayak types; weather dependent in the fall season

• Location: 3636 Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock NC 28605

• Phone: (828) 963-2292

Beech Mountain

• summer mountain biking, including lesson and rentals available

• scenic chair lift rides available some weekends too!

• Location: 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain NC 28604

• Phone: (828) 438-2093

Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park

• located in Boone, about a half hour away from the base of Sugar Mountain

• Location: 285 Mountain Bike Way, Boone NC 28607

• Phone: (828) 266-1345

Appalachian UTV

• street-legal UTV and premium Golf Cart rentals

• Location: 10575 NC-105, Banner Elk NC 28604

• Phone: (828) 989-9031

Off Road Adventures

• ATV rentals for a family adventure

• Location: 2062 Old Beech Mountain Road, Elk Park NC 28622

• Phone: (828) 755-5062

J. Douglas Williams Park

• picnic area and very short hiking trails on Sugar Mountain

• Location: 1084 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain NC 28604

• Phone: (828) 898-9292 for Village Hall

Pisgah National Forest

• explore a plethora of hiking options, including waterfalls

• Office Phone: (828) 257-4200

Tate Evans Park

• provides a greenway trail, two playground areas, picnic tables & covered picnic shelter

• Location: 200 Park Avenue, Banner Elk NC 28604

• Phone: (828) 898-5398

Valle Crucis Community Park

• provides a greenway trail, covered and uncovered picnic areas, soccer fields, and river access

• Location: 2892 Broadstone Road, Banner Elk NC 28604

• Phone: (828) 963-9239

Blueridge Parkway

• scenic byway with stunning mountain views

• Closest Entrance: Milepost 305

• Phone: (828) 670-1924

Dive-In Swimming Pool

• heated pool offering wheelchair-accessible ramp and a family bathroom, plus $4 entrance fee

• Location: 220 Shady Street, Newland NC 28657

• Phone: (828) 737-0126

Tweetsie Railroad 

• family-friendly Wild West theme park

• Location: 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock NC 28605

• Phone: (828) 893-3874

Edge of the World

• white water rafting for the whole family

• Location: 394 Shawneehaw Avenue South #200, Banner Elk NC 28604

• Phone: (828) 898-9550

Hawksnest Whitewater Rafting

• two choices of location and adventure, do the Nolichucky trip or the Watauga River

• Location: check their website for which meet-up location you should be headed to

• Phone: (828) 963-6561

High Mountain Expeditions

• choose from the French Broad River, Watuaga River, Wilson Creek River, or Nolichucky River rafting trips

• Location: 3149 Tynecastle Highway, Banner Elk NC 28604

• Phone: (828) 202-7292

Hawksnest Ziplines

• different packages available, stretching over four miles through the canopy and over lakes and creeks

• Location: 2058 Skyland Drive, Seven Devils NC 28604

• Phone: (828) 963-6561

High Gravity Adventures Zipline & Aerial Park

• choose from all kinds of adventures for your personal level of thrill-seeking

• Location: 215 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock NC 28605

• Phone: (828) 373-3231

Sky Valley Zip Tours

• bringing the thrill of mountain forest canopy adventures to families

• Location: 634 Sky Ranch Road, Blowing Rock NC 28605

• Phone: (828) 264-0002

The businesses and activities listed here are independent and not affiliated with us. These are personal recommendations based on guest feedback and local popularity. We are not responsible for the services, availability, safety, or quality of any third-party businesses or experiences. Please verify hours, reservations, and other details directly with the provider. Outdoor activities may carry inherent risks. Please consider your own abilities and check conditions before participating.