Discover your new basecamp for outdoor adventure in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A perfect destination for all-season exploration, here you'll find breathtaking scenery, miles of outdoor adventure, and the highest peaks east of the Mississippi. Around nearly every bend in the road you'll find access to natural wonders throughout the Pisgah National Forest. Here are ideas for travel inspiration.
Guided Fun - Thrifty Adventures and The Catawba Angler.
Float the Catawba River - book a trip with Catawba River Outdoors.
Explore a trail in the Pisgah National Forest! 20+ area waterfall, running, and hiking trails totaling more than 150 miles.
Off-road biking - Trails including Kitsuma Peak/Young's Ridge, Curtis Creek Recreation Area, Woods Mountain, and Lake James State Park.
Blue Ridge Parkway - Stops at Little Switzerland, the Orchard at Altapass, Crabtree Falls, Linville Falls and a quick segue off the Parkway to explore Linville Caverns, gold and gem mining, golf courses, museums and art galleries.
Marion's 310 District - After you explore check out downtown Marion, a neighborhood hotspot with small breweries, tap rooms, music hall, restaurants, and art!
Old Fort - Find rushing trout streams, Mountain Gateway Museum, Catawba Falls, Andrews Geyser and Curtis Creek Recreation Area, thousands of acres in old growth U.S. Forest Service land with miles of trails and streams.
Need other ideas? Call us! 888-233-6111
Individually managed vintage booths with "curiosity" pieces, used sporting goods, bicycles, electronics, antiques and so much more. Spend some ...
3640 Ft./6 mile trail. Primitive hiking on Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd. Trail begins past hatchery parking lot. Easy-moderate.Including ...
2940 Ft. /8 Miles. Primitive trail connects Woods Mountain & Armstrong Creek Trails. NC 226-A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd ...
3160 Ft./9 Mile Trail. Black Mountains view, meets Little Buck Creek Trail ending at Woods Mountain Trail. US 221 ...
Big League Camp is a baseball and softball sports and lodging facility on Lake James, just outside Marion, North Carolina ...
(Game land section) 200 yards along NC 80 also light fishing pressure.
The catch-out pond is a wonderful place for family fun and group outings. Fishing poles, bait, and ice provided. Any ...
Easy walk in access, handicap accessible fishing piers and canoe/kayak access available from three points along the greenway. This ...
Located on the upper Catawba River, just above Lake James, Catawba River Outdoors offers tube rentals with a river shuttle ...
Catawba River Park and Canoe/Kayak Launch is located within one quarter mile of the intersection of Highway 70 West ...
Visiting members of the Y will enjoy the indoor pool, indoor basketball & handball courts, and workout room. Located off ...
The auditorium of East Middle School in Marion, NC is a venue for Foothills Community Theater performances. Throughout the year ...
Located on US 221 North only a short drive away from both Asheville and the NC high country, our farm ...
All Wildlife Resources commission regulations apply. A fishing license is required. Cool, deep waters and warm surface waters provide a ...
The Founders' Art Walk was inspired by McDowell County's 175th anniversary. The county's cultural heritage is shared through ...
Greenway and nature trail loop covering 1.1 miles with kayak/canoe/tube put-in with covered picnic area. In ...
Lots of space with a variety of seasonal offerings, antiques, jewelry, toys, craft furnishings and more. Located in a ...
"Welcome to Hidden Creek Campground Resort in Marion, North Carolina. Visit one of North Carolina's best campgrounds, featuring lake ...
Historic Carson House Museum is open between April and December, interpreting the story of Irish immigrant Colonel John Carson and ...
The Marion Depot has been restored and functions today as a multiple use site. Constructed in the 1860s, it is ...
The Joseph McDowell/Catawba River Greenway is located just outside downtown Marion, NC. This paved trail follows the flow of ...
Keeper’s Cut Meadery makes traditional and flavored mead from their new space in Marion, NC's The 310 District. Hours ...
An array of guitar strings and musical instruments line the wall inside Killough’s Music & Loan on South Main Street ...
Universally accessible, you'll find Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, Walleye and White Bass. Public boat access ...
A local favorite, Lamb's Hidden Treasures is a special find, one block off North Main Street in downtown Marion ...
Next door to Ivan's Restaurant and McDowell Sports Complex at 622 Finley Road in Marion.
North Carolina's only public caverns, Linville Caverns is a popular attraction. In the early 1800s, it was discovered during ...
Public golf course, 18 holes with stunning views mountain and stream views. Located just off of Highway 221 in the ...
The 310 District in downtown Marion is host to seasonal festivals, musical performances and events. Shop or dine with local ...
The Lake James Golf Course and Marion Lake Club includes a club house. This one story structure includes a ...
The McDowell Arts Council offers a variety of classes, hosts a unique gift shop filled with local artisans' works and ...
Local, county community college located in Marion, NC. Offering a variety of courses, diploma and certificate programs and more.
McDowell High School's auditorium and gymnasium are used for some public events. The annual Appalachian Potters' Market is ...
Marion's first brewery is open! Stop by soon, see what all the buzz is about! Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 4pm-10pm ...
This former manufacturing and warehouse site has been converted! Stop by the Miller Business Complex to shop with locally ...
A little something for everyone! Musical instruments, period furnishings, jewelry, accessories, clothing items and more. Inventory changes regularly ...
The Mount Ida Wilderness Area includes a gravel access road and parking lot, picnic shelter and a one-half mile moderate ...
This is a former manufacturing site converted into a multi-purpose space. It's located in the heart of downtown Marion ...
The Peavine Rail Line, once an active Norfolk Southern Railway line, is included in the company's "rails to trails ...
Craft beer and wine taproom featuring local beverages, all from North Carolina. Great selection of non-alcoholic drinks as well. Family ...
This seasonal jewelry boutique is open September through December on Main Street in downtown Marion. Stop by to pick up ...
The Spillway is Marion’s premier music venue with a state of the art sound system showcasing local and regional talent ...
St. John's Episcopal Church is a historic Episcopal church located at 315 S. Main Street in Marion, McDowell County ...
Sweet Betsy Farm is a small family-owned farm where chickens, honey bees and plantings are managed with no harmful chemical ...
Two years ago this week, two guys sat on a front porch and had a vision of The Feisty Goldfish ...
Former commercial mine, operating today as a recreational mine with campsites, hook ups, restrooms, showers and the Miner's Diner ...
A cool, downtown, DIY experience. The staff and artists at The Makery make it easy for you to create ...
Tom Johnson Camping World is more than a campground, it also serves as a performance/event venue. Located beside Historic ...
Tom's Creek Falls is accessible year round, located south of the Blue Parkway at Milepost 316/Hwy. 221 South ...
Antique mall and vintage store with a variety of vendor booths. You'll find custom-made furnishings and The Vintage ...
Fitness Trail consists of 7 stations, two exercises per station on a 1/4 mile jogging path. Additional one mile ...
Hike or bike this one. It's not for the faint at heart! Elevation peaks at 3,600 ...
Join Max Woody and friends each Friday night to experience one-of-a-kind bluegrass music with local performers. Any and all musicians ...
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