The Best State Parks In The Blue Ridge Mountains
Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, rises to 6,684 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountains that span Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and several other states. State parks throughout the range protect high summits and river valleys for hikers, anglers, and climbers. In northern Georgia, Amicalola Falls State Park is home to a 729-foot cascading waterfall and the Approach Trail to Springer Mountain, the southern end of the Appalachian Trail. Herds of wild ponies graze the high-elevation grasslands of Grayson Highlands State Park in southwestern Virginia. Back in Georgia, a suspension bridge hangs 80 feet above Tallulah Gorge, which plunges nearly 1,000 feet into the landscape. Read on for seven of the best state parks in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia
Amicalola Falls State Park in northern Georgia is home to an impressive 729-foot cascading waterfall that ranks among the tallest in the eastern United States. Located in the North Georgia mountains near Dawsonville, the park spans 829 acres of forested mountain terrain within the Chattahoochee National Forest. Amicalola Falls is the main attraction, with water tumbling down a steep series of rocky ledges. Several viewpoints offer visitors different perspectives of the falls, making it a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring the region's mountain scenery.
This park also offers a network of trails for hikers of different experience levels. The Approach Trail offers an eight-mile hike to Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, giving long-distance hikers a starting point for the famous trek north. Visitors who prefer a shorter outing can explore trails around the waterfall and nearby woodlands. Guided hikes can turn the park visit into a learning experience, while fishing, zip-lining, and archery offer more exhilarating activities. The park also contains lodges, cabins, and campsites for those looking to spend a little more time in the mountain landscape. Luxury tents offer glamping experiences with hotel amenities such as beds, lamps, and coffee makers.
Black Rock Mountain State Park, Georgia
With its highest point at 3,640 feet above sea level in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Black Rock Mountain State Park offers breathtaking views of rolling ridgelines and deep valleys. Visitors can stop at scenic overlooks for photos, explore forested hiking trails, and discover the beauty of 1,743 acres of nature. Hikers can tackle the 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail for mountain views, follow the easy 0.85-mile loop around Black Rock Lake, or venture along the challenging James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail. Here, hikers can enjoy the sounds and sights of streams and waterfalls under laurel cover on their way up to the Lookoff Mountain summit.
Beyond hiking, anglers can fish for bass, catfish, trout, and perch in the 17-acre Black Rock Lake, while the surrounding hiking trail features wooden bridges and shady spots for picnicking. Visitors can also browse the Summit Visitor Center & Gift Shop for souvenirs and more information about the park, or try geocaching, an outdoor treasure-hunting game. Those who want to turn their visit into a longer getaway can choose from mountaintop cottages, RV and tent campsites, walk-in sites, and designated backcountry campsites for a more secluded overnight stay.
Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia
Set in southwestern Virginia, Grayson Highlands State Park is known for its rugged mountain scenery, sweeping overlooks, and herds of wild ponies that roam its high-elevation grasslands. The park sits just east of Whitetop Mountain and Mount Rogers, two of the highest peaks in Virginia, and features 13 hiking trails ranging from short walks to challenging routes. Visitors can follow the 1.3-mile Twin Pinnacles Loop to Big Pinnacle overlooks, or take on the 1.5-mile Cabin Creek Trail to see waterfalls. The 0.3-mile Rhododendron Trail is one of the best spots to view wild ponies in the distance. But while spotting the park's wild ponies can be a highlight, visitors should admire them from afar and avoid feeding or petting them. The park also connects to the Appalachian Trail, offering access to even more miles of mountain adventures.
Visitors can try rock climbing among the park's extensive rock formations, go mountain biking, or cast a line in 10 miles' worth of streams for trout. Equestrians can explore designated horse trails, with horse camping facilities available for those bringing their horses overnight. But if you do not have a horse, there is of course regular camping as well, with campgrounds, yurts, and bunkhouses, making it easy to spend more time in the highlands.
Grandfather Mountain State Park, North Carolina
Rising to 5,946 feet, Calloway Peak marks the highest point in Grandfather Mountain State Park, where steep trails, rocky summits, and challenging terrain await hikers. The park features more than 13 miles of hiking trails, ranging from the relatively easy 1.2-mile Nuwati Trail to routes that climb steep, rocky slopes. Grandfather Mountain State Park, in particular, is known for its harsh mountain conditions and difficult hiking trails, so it is a great spot for those looking for a bit of a challenge. There are two easy trails, while the other seven range from moderate to advanced and strenuous.
Besides hiking, the park protects a diverse range of mountain habitats, from hardwood forests to high-elevation spruce-fir forests. Visitors can find black bears, white-tailed deer, and a variety of small critters like salamanders and frogs, as well as 92 bird species. Grandfather Mountain was designated a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve in 1992 for this ecological diversity. Camping options fit everyone's needs as well, with 13 campsites ranging from stream-side to high-elevation sites deep in the forest.
Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina
Mount Mitchell State Park's namesake mountain stands at 6,684 feet, the highest mountain peak east of the Mississippi River. The mountain features an observation deck near the summit, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Black Mountains on clear, beautiful days. Visitors can take short summit paths through a high-elevation forest of Fraser firs or explore longer routes through the mountain ridges. The park offers eight trails with varying levels of difficulty, ranging from the 0.4-mile Campground Trail to the strenuous Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, which passes through the park.
There is more to enjoy besides reaching the summit or hiking along peaceful trails. Visitors can pack a picnic and enjoy lunch surrounded by forested mountains, or spend time birdwatching in the park's higher elevations. If one day is not enough, walk-in tent campsites offer the chance to spend a night among nature and wake up to the quiet of the forest. But you should keep in mind that the weather can change quickly at such high elevations, so bringing extra layers is always recommended. The mountain top is often 15 to 20 degrees cooler than nearby Asheville.
Stone Mountain State Park, North Carolina
With a massive granite dome rising 600 feet above the surrounding landscape, Stone Mountain State Park offers a striking mix of rocky scenery, forest trails, and cascading waterfalls. Hikers can take on the 4.5-mile Stone Mountain Loop Trail for a challenging trek through the park's varied terrain, with opportunities to explore the mountain's granite face and enjoy views of the surrounding countryside. Other routes lead through quiet woodlands and past flowing creeks and waterfalls, while rock climbers can test their skills on the park's enormous granite formations. About 10 miles of horseback riding trails are also available for equestrians looking to explore the area.
The local streams that run through the park offer plenty of opportunities for anglers to catch some trout. Bird watchers and wildlife fanatics can get in on the fun, too, with over 100 bird species and a variety of animals, from raccoons and coyotes to black bears. History lovers can have something to do as well, as the 19th-century Hutchinson Homestead sits at the base of the mountain, offering a look into life on an old mountain farm. For longer escapes, the park has a family campground with tent and RV sites, as well as primitive backcountry campsites that require a bit of a hike to reach.
Tallulah Gorge State Park, Georgia
Carved nearly 1,000 feet deep into the North Georgia landscape, Tallulah Gorge State Park is a prime destination for waterfall views, dramatic cliffs, and adventurous hikes. The two-mile-long gorge features six major waterfalls, which visitors can admire from overlooks along the rim trails. For a particularly unforgettable view, visitors can cross the suspension bridge 80 feet above the gorge, then take on the Hurricane Falls Loop, where staircases lead to viewing platforms.
Those looking for an even bigger challenge can apply for a limited permit to descend to the gorge floor, where large boulders and steep terrain make for a demanding trek. However, water flow conditions and weather can cause restrictions on some days. Other activities can involve stopping by the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center to learn about the gorge's geology, wildlife, and history, or spending a relaxing afternoon fishing, picnicking, or paddling. The 63-acre Tallulah Falls Lake offers a scenic spot to unwind between hikes, while over 50 campsites give visitors the option to relax overnight for another day full of exploration.
Get Out into the Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains hold many surprises beyond their familiar forested slopes. Water crashes down towering falls, rocky summits rise above the trees, and deep gorges cut through the landscape, creating settings that feel worlds apart despite belonging to the same range. Visitors can seek challenging climbs, follow streams through quiet forests to catch trout, watch wild ponies roam grasslands, or even walk across an 80-foot-high suspension bridge for aerial views. Together, these seven state parks reveal the many sides of the Blue Ridge, with each destination offering a different perspective on the Appalachian landscape.
