Mount Mitchell State Park
Mount Mitchell
The highest peak east of the Mississippi River at 2,037 m, reachable by car almost to the summit, with a 360-degree view from the observation deck.
Mount Mitchell rises to 2,037 m, the highest point in eastern America, and was North Carolina's first state park. Take the Blue Ridge Parkway, then NC-128, to reach the summit parking lot, from which a walk of about 10 minutes leads to the observation deck. On clear days the view reaches over 100 km. The summit has fir-spruce forest, a restaurant and a small museum, and admission is free. Temperatures at the top are about 10°C lower than in Asheville, with frequent clouds, fog and strong winds, so bring a jacket. It is about 1 hour's drive from the city.
Opening hours
Approx. 07:00 to sunset (winter depends on road conditions)
Nearby sights
- Craggy Gardens
- Folk Art Center
- Western North Carolina Nature Center
- Omni Grove Park Inn
- Lake Lure
- Downtown Asheville & Pack Square
- Thomas Wolfe Memorial
- Chimney Rock State Park