Blue Ridge Base Camp Towns

More than outposts for gearing up, these seven mountain communities are destinations in their own right, pairing easy access to some of the region’s best outdoor adventures with walkable downtowns, local flavor, and much more.

By Christina Nifong / Photo Above: In West Virginia, the rugged trails of Dolly Sods Wilderness lead to sweeping overlooks and untamed mountain scenery.

Wherever there are mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes, there are communities catering to those who’ve come to revel in them.

Known as base camp towns, these destinations offer a place for backcountry visitors to stock up on food, rest in a comfy bed, wash clothes, repair equipment, and get information. But travelers can also expect to find art galleries, retro arcades, hip breweries, delicious restaurants, and cozy coffee shops. Surrounded by outdoor experiences and sporting an outfitter (or several) that can connect visitors with equipment and know-how, each town offers a certain only-in-these-parts flavor shaped by the geography that surrounds it. 

We scoured maps, talked to locals, and logged many miles to fine-tune this list of locales that make it oh-so-easy to get outside—and offer plenty to enjoy when adventures are done. Happy trails!

FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA 

With a step-back-in-time main street that welcomes Appalachian Trail hikers and Shenandoah River paddlers, Front Royal is a classic base camp town. Check out downtown’s bold murals (the visitor’s center map notes nine) and enjoy its benches, gazebos, and many places to pause. There’s a wealth of good eating here: try coffee and pastries at Main Street Daily Grind, sandwiches at Downtown Local, or Indian dishes at Khukuri Nepali Cuisine. Then stop by Virginia’s only beer museum for a drink, chat, or tour. 

Outfitters: Mountain Trails is located downtown and caters to hikers. Find river shuttles, gear, and guides at Down River Canoe Company, Front Royal Outdoors, and Front Royal River Adventures, all located along the Shenandoah River. 

Adventures: The Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, and George Washington National Forest offer hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and backpacking. The Shenandoah River is a playground for canoeists, kayakers, paddleboarders, and rafters. Mountain bikers will find much to love in Shenandoah River State Park and the Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area. Fort Valley Ranch, Royal Horseshoe Farm, and Secret Passage Ranch offer horseback trail riding. For a splurge, try skydiving at Warren County Airport.    

 While You’re There: Tour Skyline Caverns to spy otherworldly crystal formations. Sip from the vineyards at one of half a dozen wineries nearby, or sample one of the many history tours offered that cover everything from local history and frontier days to pivotal Civil War battles 

DAVIS, WEST VIRGINIA 

It’s just a few blocks long and home to only a few hundred folks, but no matter. Davis is surrounded by natural beauty and minutes from all manner of adventure. Stay in the quaint Bright Morning Inn, breakfast at Trailhead Coffee Shop, enjoy a beer at Stumptown Ales. For those looking for a little something more, check out Davis’s twin town, Thomas, less than 3 miles away. There, don’t miss top-notch music and food at The Purple Fiddle, plus the delightful art gallery, Invisible. 

Outfitters: In downtown Davis, Mountain Trails (with the same owners as Front Royal’s storefront) serves hikers, bikers, and skiers. Nearby, Blackwater Outdoor Adventures provides shuttles, rentals, gear, and guides for paddling the Cheat River.  

Adventures: Find gorgeous trails for hiking, backpacking, and waterfall chasing in Blackwater Falls State Park, Dolly Sods Wilderness, and Canaan Valley Resort State Park. There’s plenty of whitewater rafting, tubing, canoeing, and paddleboarding to be had along the Cheat River. Find top-notch mountain and gravel biking alike in Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Blackwater Falls State Park, and the Monongahela National Forest. In winter, Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Timberline Mountain, and White Grass Ski Touring Center offer a variety of cold-weather activities. 

While You’re There: Walk or bike Blackwater Canyon Trail from Thomas toward Douglas Falls. The trail passes remnants of beehive-shaped coke ovens from coal mining operations more than a century old.

ELIZABETHTON, TENNESSEE 

This walkable downtown charms with its historic awnings and wrought-iron signage. Around every corner, visitors spy verdant views of the mountains. Stop along the grassy riverbank to take in a heron standing sentry in the Doe River, a covered bridge built in 1882, the preserved trunk of a sycamore tree central to America’s founding, and bikers zipping by on the 10-mile Tweetsie rail-to-trail path. Not to be missed: calzones and pies at Fire Pizza, followed by a scoop from Covered Bridge Creamery next door. Elizabethton even boasts its own boutique hotel, The Downtown Post. 

Outfitters: Located on downtown’s main street, Hellbender Outfitters is packed with fishing flies, rods, and kayaks, plus hiking gear. Along the Watauga River, Appalachian Outpost offers fishing and camping supplies. Nearby, Watauga Kayak provides boat rentals, paddling gear, and guided trips. 

Adventures: Hiking and backpacking trails don’t get much prettier than those in Roan Mountain State Park, Cherokee National Forest, and along this stretch of the Appalachian Trail. For waterfall viewing and swimming holes, look for Blue Hole Falls, Laurel Falls, and Twisting Falls. Watauga Lake, Wilbur Lake, and the Watauga River serve up a veritable buffet of fly fishing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, sailing, and paddleboarding. Find cabins and campgrounds at Roan Mountain State Park, Dennis Cove Campground, and Cardens Bluff Campground. To experience the best of this region, don’t miss the world’s largest natural rhododendron garden at Carver’s Gap and a Rhododendron Festival every June. 

While You’re There: For in-town fun, check out Elizabethon’s newly opened pool hall and its retro arcade and escape room. History buffs can visit Miller Farmstead at Roan Mountain State Park or a reconstructed Fort Watauga and an outdoor drama (performed in summer) at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. 

CORBIN, KENTUCKY 

GPS routes drivers into Corbin along a straightaway of railroad tracks. After parking and checking out the massive steam engine and bright red caboose on display, it’s time to wander onto Main Street, where a French Quarter vibe rules the road. On Saturdays, the Whitley County Farmers’ Market enlivens downtown. All week, there’s plenty of great food, from farm-to-table fare at The Wrigley Taproom & Eatery to nationally ranked coffee and scratch-made sourdough at Folktale Coffee & Bakehouse.  

Outfitters: Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort in Daniel Boone National Forest rents paddle gear, schedules tours and shuttles, and provides camp sites and cabins. 

Adventures: Daniel Boone National Forest, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area are home to first-class hiking, backpacking, and waterfall chasing. For kayaking, whitewater rafting, tubing, and paddleboarding, look to Laurel River Lake and Recreation Area, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park where, during the full moon, visitors might just catch a rare moonbow created from the falls’ mist. Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort provides ziplining and a climbing wall—and the chance to sleep in a covered wagon. Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area’s soft sandstone lends itself to rock climbing. For something new, try scuba diving at Laurel River Lake. 

While You’re There: Corbin is the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Colonel Sanders. Find a museum and café as well as an outdoor plaza honoring his memory.  

CLARKESVILLE, GEORGIA 

With a quaint downtown settled beside the Soque River, Clarkesville offers arts and history alongside its outdoor vibe. Step back in time by visiting a farmhouse, log cabin, and gardens from the 1800s, or relax in the town’s gazebo, centered in a grassy square. Soque ArtWorks displays the craftsmanship of dozens of potters, painters, and woodworkers. Order a meal at The Copper Pot, with indoor and outdoor seating and a delicious, wide-ranging menu. Farther afield, visit Terra Incognita Vineyard, a tasting room that hosts yoga and hiking. 

Outfitters: Downtown, visitors will find Unicoi Outfitters, offering fishing gear and apparel, as well as Soque River Outfitters, serving up guided fly-fishing trips, rentals, and gear. At Lake Rabun, look for Bear Gap Outfitters; they rent pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddleboards and will even deliver boats to some locations. 

Adventures: The Appalachian Trail begins nearby. There’s stellar hiking and backpacking to be found as well at Moccasin Creek State Park, Black Rock Mountain State Park, and in the Chattahoochee National Forest. For waterfall chasing, scout Toccoa Falls, Minnehaha Falls, Panther Creek Falls, Hemlock Falls, and Tallulah Falls. Lake Burton, Lake Rabun, the Soque River, and the Tallulah River offer fishing, paddling, sailing, and swimming. Sunburst Adventures is a single stop for horseback riding, all-terrain vehicle tours, and ziplining. One more activity to try: Rent a boat and water-ski on Lake Burton. 

While You’re There: Visit Mark of the Potter, a historic mill and pottery studio. Or, catch a live show at Grant Street Music Room in downtown Clarkesville. 

HIGHLANDS, NORTH CAROLINA 

This picture-perfect town has been a mountain getaway for generations. Today, downtown Highlands is an upscale stroll through galleries, boutiques, and fine-dining establishments. For the more casual visitor, sample Highlands Smokehouse (pit-smoked barbecue), Wild Thyme Gourmet (Asian fusion), or The Ugly Dog Pub (a local favorite). For an in-depth look at area fauna, visit the Highlands Biological Station Botanical Gardens, featuring free trails, demonstration gardens, and a nature center. 

Outfitters: Downtown, stop by The Highland Hiker for fly-fishing gear and hiking apparel. On the shores of nearby Cashiers Lake, Brookings Anglers provides guided fly-fishing trips and gear. 

Adventures: Hikers will find trails and more trails at Whiteside Mountain, Yellow Mountain Trail, and in the Nantahala National Forest. This is waterfall central; seek out Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls, and Glen Falls, for starters. Try fly fishing on Cullasaja River, Nantahala River, Chattooga River, and at Lake Glenville. There’s incredible stargazing, too; check out Osage Overlook and Sunset Rock. Stop by Highlands Aerial Park for ropes courses and ziplining. Arrowmont Stables and Whitewater Equestrian Center provide horseback trail riding. Macon County is known historically as the gem capital of the world, so be sure to try your hand at gem mining at Jackson Hole Gem Mine or Rose Creek Mine.  

While You’re There: Visit the dozen art galleries that dot the area. Many local artists see nature as their inspiration and create pieces unique to the region. The Bascom: A Center for Visual Arts is part gallery, part museum, and part education center. 

LONG CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA 

Less a town and more a crossroads, Long Creek is anchored by Chattooga Belle Farm, a working farm that hosts a store, bistro, and distillery, and Chattooga River Lodge, a restaurant, bar, lodge, and campground. Surrounded by Sumter National Forest and sprinkled with waterfalls, Long Creek sits near the intersection of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. 

Outfitters: In Long Creek, stop by Chattooga Whitewater Shop to rent boats, reserve shuttles, and purchase gear. Wildwater Chattooga Rafting and Canopy Tours offers rafting trips, guided river trips, and on-site fun. On Lake Keowee, try Unlimited Outfitters for paddleboard, kayak, and pontoon rentals. 

Adventures: Hiking trails galore can be found throughout Oconee State Park and Sumter National Forest. For overnight backpacking, look to the 15.5-mile Chattooga Trail or the 77-mile Foothills Trail. Beautiful waterfalls abound; seek out Reedy Branch Falls, Long Creek Falls, Opossum Creek Falls, Ramsey Creek Falls, and King Creek Falls. Find kayaking, whitewater rafting, paddleboarding, sailing, and fishing on the Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River, Chauga River, Lake Hartwell, and Lake Keowee. Wildwater Chattooga Rafting and Canopy Tours offers ziplining, plus cabins, treehouses, and yurts. Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park and the Palmetto Trail provide mountain and gravel biking. And, if you’re ready to learn a new skill, check out Chattooga Belle Farm’s disc golf course. 

While You’re There: Long Creek is the largest apple-producing area in South Carolina. Pick your own at Chattooga Belle Farm or Bryson’s Apple Orchard from mid-summer through fall. 

The story above first appeared in our September/October 2026 issue.