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2019 Mountain Festivals Guide

Our annual festival guide points the way to great gatherings from the Virginias and the Carolinas to Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Find food, beer and wine plus rubber ducky races, apples, peaches, barbecue, bluegrass – and even Santa Claus.

Photo Essay: Wildlife & Wildflowers

It’s the pretty season in the Southern Appalachians.

Keeping Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley Well-Trailed

Thomas Jenkins has been building trails around Harrisonburg, Virginia for 25 years. His efforts have helped transform the city into a mecca of hiking and biking, and opened up long-neglected national forest trails.

New North Carolina Fresco: Christopher Holt Immortalizes Faith

An emerging fresco artist caps years of study and preparation as he completes his first major commission, at a downtown Asheville mission serving the homeless.

Not Your Daddy’s Caverns

No, you can’t modernize a cave, but the degree of fun in some dark, damp, cool spaces has been on the rise in recent years.

Current Issue

Sunset over a mountain range festival guide cover | Blue Ridge Country

2019 Mountain Festivals Guide

Our annual festival guide points the way to great gatherings from the Virginias and the Carolinas to Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Find food, beer and wine plus rubber ducky races, apples, peaches, barbecue, bluegrass – and even Santa Claus.
A hummingbird feeds on the sweet nectar of some east Tennessee phlox up Clarks Creek, near Jonesborough, Tennessee.

Photo Essay: Wildlife & Wildflowers

It’s the pretty season in the Southern Appalachians.
Thomas Jenkins (lovin’ on the tree) has been a part of building or protecting some 200 miles of trail.

Keeping Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley Well-Trailed

Thomas Jenkins has been building trails around Harrisonburg, Virginia for 25 years. His efforts have helped transform the city into a mecca of hiking and biking, and opened up long-neglected national forest trails.
Main Image: Christopher Holt holds a sketch that will contribute to the fresco. Inset: Christopher Holt’s deft hand at work.

New North Carolina Fresco: Christopher Holt Immortalizes Faith

An emerging fresco artist caps years of study and preparation as he completes his first major commission, at a downtown Asheville mission serving the homeless.
Luray Caverns is one of the most popular caverns in Virginia.

Not Your Daddy’s Caverns

No, you can’t modernize a cave, but the degree of fun in some dark, damp, cool spaces has been on the rise in recent years.
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Departments

Smith Mountain Lake Virginia is a hidden gem within the Blue Ridge Mountains. This beautiful area features boating, sailing, hiking, shopping, fishing, and much more.
From The Editor

Sarah Smiles: The Lake Effect

Growing up, many of my weekends were spent at my late step-grandmother’s house on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

June 26, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS