Lake Lure & Chimney Rock After Wildfires

See the views from Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, North Carolina, after the Party Rock fire burned for several weeks. Thankful that most all trees survived and views are as spectacular as ever. More than 10 wildfires still burn in the Asheville area. See the latest on the fires at www.romanticasheville.com/forest-fire. Thankful for the thousands of firefighters that have come from across the USA to help!

Fall Color on the Blue Ridge Parkway, NC

Watch our video fall color report from the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain, north of Asheville. It's peak fall color along the Linn Cove Viaduct and many other iconic locations. See our fall color photo reports.

Elk in Cherokee

Watch the elk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, North Carolina. Safely view the elk in the meadow at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Read more on the Cherokee Guide.

Monarch Butterfly Migration

Watch the Monarch Butterflies as they migrate along the Blue Ridge Parkway on their way to Mexico. We shot this video along the Parkway south of Asheville, enjoying the wildflowers. There are several special events in the area, including butterfly tagging. See best places to watch them in September and October near Asheville, North Carolina: www.romanticasheville.com/monarch-butterflies

Fontana Dam, NC

See the view from atop Fontana Dam in North Carolina. It's the highest dam east of the Rockies, equivalent to a 50-story skyscraper! Walk or drive across the top for panoramic mountain and lake views. The Visitor Center has information about the construction in the 1940s. For more info, go to www.romanticasheville.com/fontana_lake.htm.

Turtleback Falls, NC

Watch the fun at Turtleback Falls in Pisgah National Park, a super summer swimming hole in the North Carolina mountains. Hike from Gorges State Park. It's a 3.5-mile roundtrip moderate hike to the cascading waterfall that creates a natural water slide. A short distance down the river is gorgeous Rainbow Falls. Located about 55 miles from Asheville near the scenic US 64 Highway. For more info, go to www.romanticasheville.com/turtleback-falls.

Lake Glenville, NC

Take a tour of beautiful Lake Glenville, high in the North Carolina mountains near Cashiers. Located in Jackson County, the lake features a beach, islands and waterfalls to explore. Rent a pontoon boat at Signal Ridge Marina for a relaxing day on the water, surrounding by mountain scenery. Read more: www.romanticasheville.com/lake_glenville.htm

Roan Mountain, NC - Appalachian Trail Hike

Hike with us on the Appalachian Trail across the balds of Roan Mountain on the North Carolina and Tennessee state line. It's one of most scenic sections of the entire AT. Right now, see the massive displays of rhododendron in bloom. See panoramic mountain views as you hike across several balds, with the first peak just 3/4 of a mile from the parking area! Take a picnic. This is definitely one of our favorite hiking trips in the Asheville area. See many details: www.romanticasheville.com/roan.htm

Tryon International Equestrian Center

Check out the fun at the amazing Tryon International Equestrian Center near Asheville - with the best horse jumpers in the country competing for Olympic qualifying and international titles. The Saturday Night Lights Grand Prix includes added fun, food, and live music. Read more about Tryon International Equestrian Center.

Moore Cove Falls, NC

Walk behind and stand under Moore Cove Falls in Pisgah National Forest near Asheville. This waterfall in the North Carolina mountains is a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike from the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway. Nearby are many other waterfalls including Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock. It is eight miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the cool small town of Brevard. For much more information, see our Moore Cove Falls guide.

25 Waterfalls Near Asheville NC

The mountains of North Carolina are home to hundreds of waterfalls.With so many choices, where to begin? Here are some must-see waterfalls near Asheville in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, divided into five regional areas:

Blue Ridge Parkway

• Linville Falls: The most photographed waterfall in North Carolina is on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take a 1.6-mile hike with four overlooks to enjoy a variety of views of the falls and Linville Gorge.
• Crabtree Falls: This beautiful 70-foot waterfall, near Linville Falls, is along a 2.5-mile loop woodland hiking trail from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
• Skinny Dip Falls: This refreshing swimming hole on the Blue Ridge Parkway has several cascades, perfect for a hot summer day dip. And it's a beautiful setting any time of the year.
• Graveyard Fields: The highland meadow on the Blue Ridge Parkway features trails to two waterfalls. Second Falls is just a third of a mile from the parking area. Upper Falls requires a four mile hike.

Nantahala National Forest

• Dry Falls: Located in Highlands, this 75-foot roadside waterfall allows the rare treat of walking behind it. Nearby, drive behind Bridal Veil Falls.
• Glen Falls: This beautiful waterfall deep in the forest has two separate falls, accessed via a 2.5-mile roundtrip hike.
• Rainbow Falls: This powerful 150-foot waterfall is accessed by a hiking trail in Gorges State Park. Enjoy the falls from the base, side and the top. Swim at nearby Turtleback Falls.
• Upper Whitewater Falls: The highest waterfall east of the Mississippi plunges 411 feet and is viewed across the valley by walking a short paved trail.

Great Smoky Mountains

• Soco Falls: Located along busy US Highway 19 between Maggie Valley and Cherokee, the roadside twin waterfall is a beauty (photo at top). 
• Deep Creek Smoky Mountains Waterfalls: See three waterfalls (Tom Branch Falls, Indian Creek Falls and Juney Whank Falls) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a loop hike near Bryson City. During the summer, go tubing down Deep Creek.
• Mingo Falls: Located near Cherokee, this 200-foot waterfall is a short walk from the parking area.

Hendersonville Area

• Hickory Nut Falls: his 404-foot waterfall in Chimney Rock State Park was featured in the movie The Last of the Mohicans.
• Pearson’s Falls: This 90-foot waterfall in a beautiful glen is located between Saluda and Tryon, convenient to Interstate 26.
• DuPont State Forest: A three-mile easy hike takes you to the base of three waterfalls: High Falls, Triple Falls and Hooker Falls.

Pisgah National Forest

• Catawba Falls: Hike 1.5 miles to the lower falls, a 100-foot cascade with best views in the winter since leaves hide the top of the falls.
• Looking Glass Falls: You don't have to get out of your car to see this 60-foot roadside waterfall, located on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway.
• Moore Cove Falls: An easy 1.5-mile roundtrip hike takes you to this 50-foot tall waterfall that you can walk behind.
• Sliding Rock: During the summer, cool off as you slide down this 60-foot cascade.

See more info: Waterfalls Near Asheville NC.

Blooms at Biltmore

Biltmore Blooms Report: The annual celebration of spring flowers at Biltmore Estate, is off to an early start this year thanks to recent warm weather. More than 14,000 daffodils are in full blooms with the first of 74,000 tulips popping up. Shrubs and trees are blossoming throughout the gardens adjacent to Biltmore House. Dogwoods and azaleas will bloom soon, followed by hundreds of roses in May. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, the estate is open every day. 

For more details about spring events and ticket specials, go to our Biltmore Insider's Guide.

NC Waterfalls Calendar Coming for 2017

We at RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide are excited to announce our first ever wall calendar in 2017 that features our photographs of waterfalls near Asheville, throughout the North Carolina mountains. The calendar will feature 365 things to do, one for each day of the year. The calendar will be available in Fall 2016. For more information, go to RomanticAsheville.com/calendar2017. Sign up for more information and a chance to win one!

Winter's Wrath atop Roan Mountain

Watch our video taken yesterday of winter's wrath at Roan Mountain in Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina. See white-out conditions along the Appalachian Trail. Take a scenic drive from Asheville to visit this beautiful mountain ridge. Read about winter hikes and adventures at Roan Mountain.

Video: Blue Ridge Parkway Snow Drive

Ride along on our drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the snow, near Little Switzerland, North Carolina. Most of the Parkway is closed due to ice and snow, but a short section was open today. For more information about the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Asheville area, go to RomanticAsheville.com.

Linville Falls in the Snow

Watch our new video of Linville Falls in the snow! It's a great winter hike, even when the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed. While this popular waterfall welcomes many hikes in the summer, we enjoy the winter solitude. With a two-mile woodland hike, see four beautiful vistas of the waterfall and Linville Gorge. See our Linville Falls Winter Hike Guide.

Rainbow Falls, North Carolina

See the full rainbow in the mist of the appropriately named Rainbow Falls in Nantahala National Forest in the North Carolina Mountains, Hike from Gorges State Park, located near Lake Toxaway. A beautiful 3-mile roundtrip woodland trail. More info: www.romanticasheville.com/rainbow_falls.htm