12 Most Scenic Small Towns In North Carolina For Nature Lovers
North Carolina is one of the most naturally endowed states in the US. Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, this state comprises a wide variety of landscapes, from mountains to wetlands, forests, rivers, and lakes, where innumerable plant and animal species call home. Across the state today, nature lovers will find scenic small towns offering access to plentiful natural endowments, alongside more attractions of their own, like farms, vineyards, gardens, and trails. From Highlands to Brevard, these towns are excellent destinations worth visiting for a memorable experience in North Carolina’s natural world. Expect everything from beautiful waterfalls to fishing streams and lakes, mountain and forest trails, and beaches while visiting these beautiful towns in North Carolina.
Boone
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone is an excellent destination for nature-centric endeavors. In this mountain town, travelers can spend entire days outdoors exploring attractions like the one-mile loop Cascade Trail that winds through a mixed hardwood forest and leads to a 100-foot waterfall. Along the trail, hikers will come across several signs identifying trees and shrubs in the area, making the hike not just scenic but educational. Similarly, the town’s Greenway Trail takes hikers along the South Fork of the New River and through beautiful forests and open meadows. This trail is slightly longer, at around three miles, and is generally flat and even paved in some sections, making it ideal for biking as well.
Boone is also home to the Rocky Knob Park, one of the most exciting mountain biking spots in North Carolina. This park has five trails ranging in length from one to nearly four miles. The Boat Rock Loop is the park’s most thrilling trail, stretching 3.6 miles. This trail climbs 250 feet in the first 1.3 miles and takes bikers through rocky terrain, wooden bridges, and wet areas.
For a mix of farm life and nature, the Turtle Island Preserve is the ideal place to visit in Boone. This preserve offers guided tours of the farm and its daily activities, plus youth and family camps for those who want to experience living on a working farm.
Brevard
Brevard’s biggest natural appeal is its proximity to Pisgah National Forest, one of the country’s first national forests. Covering over 500,000 acres, this forest is a paradise for adventures, with multiple waterfalls like the 60-foot Looking Glass Falls and trails such as the Art Loeb Trail. This trail is thrilling as it stretches 30 miles through several mountain peaks, offering some of the most breathtaking scenery in the state. This forest is also home to rivers for fishing and the famous Sliding Rock, where people are invited to slide down a 60-foot sloping rock into a cool pool.
Moreover, Brevard is also near other exciting natural areas like the DuPont State Recreational Forest and Gorges State Park. At DuPont Forest, more beautiful waterfalls like the 150-foot High Falls and the 120-foot Bridal Veil Falls await to delight nature lovers. This forest area also has lakes for fishing and dozens of trails, including the 4.5-mile Cedar Rock loop trail that leads to impressive scenery of the area. At Gorges State Park, even more gorgeous waterfalls, hiking trails, fishing streams, and rock formations can be explored.
Beaufort
Beaufort is a beautiful little coastal town that combines history with natural splendor. Regarded as the fourth oldest town in North Carolina, this town hosts the Rachel Carson Reserve, home to diverse coastal habitats, including salt marshes, maritime forest, and tidal flats. Several wildlife groups call the preserve home, including mammals like gray foxes, marsh rabbits, and wild horses. Over 200 species of birds have been seen in the area, as it is on the Atlantic Flyway. The preserve can be accessed via a ferry or boat, and it has multiple hiking trails offering access to the various habitats.
Around 30 miles from town, the Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge is a secluded place near the Atlantic Ocean to hike, bike, boat, fish, hunt, and watch wildlife. This 11,000-acre area comprises coastal marshes and maritime forests, where a wide range of bird, fish, reptile, and plant species call home. Additionally, Beaufort is home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, where a wide range of exhibits and artifacts highlight the state’s maritime and cultural heritage, and natural history.
Swansboro
Swansboro is a gorgeous town on the Crystal Coast, nicknamed the Friendly City by the Sea. As its nickname implies, this town is a welcoming destination with plenty of sea-related attractions to offer. For starters, it hosts the Bicentennial Park on the shores of the White Oak River, where opportunities for fishing and picnicking abound. Even more exciting, Swansboro is home to Hammocks Beach State Park, a 1,600-acre coastal paradise, featuring miles of beachfront, marshlands, maritime swamp forests, and around three miles of nature trails. This park is one of the few places in the US where beach camping can be enjoyed, plus it offers opportunities for boating, kayaking, and fishing.
Meanwhile, Croatan National Forest is less than 15 miles from town and invites nature lovers to camp and explore a wide variety of habitats, from pine forests to bogs and saltwater estuaries. The forest has several trails, including the 21-mile Neusiok Trail, which winds through swamps and longleaf pine savannah, offering sights of the area’s wildlife, such as black bears, wild turkeys, and alligators.
Cashiers
Cashiers is one of North Carolina’s hidden gems, located in Nantahala National Forest, with several beautiful waterfalls nearby, like the Silver Run Falls. This 25-foot waterfall is particularly beautiful and worth visiting, as it has a pool ideal for swimming. Upper Whitewater Falls is another great waterfall nearby, representing the highest of its kind east of the Rocky Mountains with a 411-foot drop.
Additionally, Cashiers is less than 15 miles from Panthertown Valley, an area in Nantahala National Forest which has been called the Yosemite of the East. This area is beautiful and features trout streams, deep gorges, bogs, and waterfalls. Over 30 miles of well-maintained trails and campsites are available in the area. Back in town, the 12-acre Village Green park is an excellent place for peaceful strolls with sights of outdoor sculptures, wetlands, and beautiful gardens.
Davidson
Davidson is a lovely college town on Lake Norman, with so much to delight nature lovers. Besides the lake, which offers a myriad of water sports, this town is home to the 200-acre Fisher Farm, where activities like biking, hiking, and picnicking can be enjoyed. The Roosevelt Wilson Park is also in Davidson, and has a charming lake, walking paths, a tree garden, a water fountain, and picnic spots.
Additionally, the town’s Lake Davidson Nature Preserve is always a delightful spot to witness nature’s beauty while enjoying activities like boating, fishing, and hiking. Just a few miles south, the Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius offers one of the area’s only swimming beaches on Lake Norman, plus more nature trails and picnic shelters.
Banner Elk
Banner Elk is, without doubt, one of North Carolina’s finest towns for a vacation full of adventures in nature. Beautifully located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this town is near the Grandfather Mountain State Park, one of North Carolina’s most popular attractions, featuring campsites, more than a dozen miles of hiking trails, and diverse ecology. For animal lovers, the Apple Hill Alpaca Farm is in the area, offering opportunities to see and interact with alpacas, llamas, and angora goats, among others. Moreover, the Grandfather Mountain Nursery Garden Center is in town with a wide selection of beautiful plants to delight nature enthusiasts.
As for wine lovers, the town hosts some of the state’s best wineries, like Banner Elk Winery, where a variety of wines made from locally-grown grapes are available for tasting. Grandfather Vineyard & Winery is another amazing winery in the area that is worth checking out. It offers gorgeous mountain scenery, frequent live music and events, and a wide selection of wines.
Hendersonville
Hendersonville is a charming town where a vibrant downtown meets exciting natural endowments. The town has the second largest downtown in western North Carolina, where dozens of restaurants and shops like Mast General Store beckon for indulgence. Besides that, Hendersonville is a paradise of natural beauty, surrounded by the forests and mountains of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Nature lovers in this town will be in proximity to exciting attractions such as the Holmes Educational State Forest. Covering 230 acres, this forest is made up of rock outcroppings, hardwood forests, rhododendron, flame azalea, and other wildflowers. The forest is free and has hiking trails and picnic areas to delight nature enthusiasts.
Even more exciting, the larger DuPont State Recreational Forest is nearby, offering beautiful waterfalls like the 120-foot Bridal Veil Falls, hiking trails, and lakes ideal for fishing and swimming. Furthermore, Hendersonville is near multiple wineries, one of which is the Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards. This wine establishment is a North Carolina favorite offering regular live music, a wide variety of wines, and breathtaking scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Highlands
Highlands is an exciting small town aptly named for its elevation of 4,118 feet, making it one of the highest towns east of the Mississippi. Moreover, the town is within the Nantahala National Forest, with a long list of attractions nearby, especially waterfalls. This town is less than three miles from the 75-foot Dry Falls and Glen Falls, a triple waterfall surrounded by lush forest. Just six miles from the town, the Secret Falls is another cool waterfall with a swimming hole. Additionally, an exciting waterfalls known as Bust Your Butt Falls is six miles from Highlands, and invites adventurers to enjoy its natural slide and swimming hole.
Still in Nantahala National Forest is the Whiteside Mountain, estimated to be one of the world’s oldest mountains at 390 to 490 million years old. This mountain challenges hikers to hike just two miles to its top for outstanding views of the entire area. Closer to town, the Highlands Biological Station is a cool place to explore native plants, including old-growth hemlock trees, learn about local ecology, and see live animals.
Bryson City
Bryson City is a tiny town of around 1,500 people that punches more than its weight when it comes to tourism. This town is in proximity to amazing attractions, one of which is the Nantahala River. This river is one of the best places to raft and kayak in the country, with rapids ideal for all skill levels. The 10,000-acre Fontana Lake is also nearby, offering endless opportunities for boating and fishing.
Meanwhile, Bryson City is a gateway to the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From this town, outdoor buffs can easily explore some of the park’s best attractions like the scenic Road to Nowhere, which stretches over six miles and ends at an uncompleted tunnel. Also, the park’s Deep Creek area is a few miles from downtown Bryson City and features a two-mile loop trail leading to three spectacular waterfalls. The Deep Creek area also offers fishing, camping, and picnicking opportunities. Additionally, Bryson City is home to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot, from where visitors can embark on exciting train rides through the lush valleys and river gorges of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Saluda
Saluda is a picturesque small town packed with some of North Carolina’s natural gems. Nature lovers will be amazed here, especially with the Green River Gorge just nearby. This gorge is characterized by old-growth forests, steep ravines, and a river ideal for kayaking, tubing, and fishing. Additionally, multiple waterfalls are in the Saluda area, including the beautiful Melrose Falls and the 70-f00t Big Bradley Falls. Hikers can also take on exciting trails like the Saluda Mountains Passage from this town. Stretching for 9 miles, this trail is one of the most difficult in North Carolina, but presents beautiful sights of native plants and animals.
For more hiking, the nearby Bell Park Nature Trail is recommended. This trail is just 1.5 miles but winds through a beautiful forest, with views of wildflowers, a waterfall, and the Green River Gorge. Meanwhile, Saluda hosts the Atkins Orchard, which offers delicious fruits, including apple, cherry, and peach ciders, and products such as jams and honey.
Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock is one of the beautiful towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it is worth visiting for a vacation full of outdoor adventures and breathtaking scenery. For starters, the town takes its name from a 4,000-foot-high jutting cliff that presents amazing views of the surrounding mountains. This cliff is worth visiting for the views and to witness the strong winds, known to carry light objects upward. For hikers, the town has dozens of hiking trails leading to pristine natural areas. The Glen Burney Trail is one such trail stretching 1.2 miles from downtown Blowing Rock to three beautiful waterfalls.
Nearby, the Julian Price Memorial Park features more hiking trails, picnic areas, more than 100 campsites, and a 47-acre lake ideal for fishing, canoeing, or kayaking. Additionally, Moses Cone Memorial Park is just two miles from town, with more natural delights to offer. The park has two lakes stocked with fish, 26 miles of carriage roads for hiking and horseback riding, and beautiful apple orchards.
North Carolina’s diverse landscapes of mountains, forests, and wetlands make it one of the best destinations for nature-based tourism in the US. While cities like Charlotte and Greensboro have their appeals, these scenic small towns are where people can easily lose track of time chasing nature-centric experiences. In a town like Hendersonville, one could be sipping wine in the Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards one moment, and be lost in the wonders of the DuPont State Recreational Forest the other. Such is the appeal of these incredible North Carolina towns, making them the ideal destinations for nature lovers.
