Our contributing photographers followed the flow of summer.
Photo Above: Blooming rosebay rhododendrons frame a lovely, fast-moving cascade along the Oconaluftee River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina. Photo by Robert StephensWest Virginia’s Douglas Falls, located near the Black Water Canyon Trail. From the photographer: “It takes some effort and caution to get to the falls, but I have always been rewarded with a good experience and great photos upon arrival. I prefer to shoot this waterfall as a long exposure with a polorizer.” Photo by Nicholas MooreThe striking blue-gray plumage of this Great Blue Heron stands out against the lush green watershield as it glides across the lake at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee. Photo by Jay HuronFishermen wait for the last catch of the day from Meditation Pier as brilliant light rays shine in the distance over Lake Junaluska, located near Waynesville, North Carolina. Photo by Robert StephensNestled along the flowing waters of Glade Creek in Danese, West Virginia, Glade Creek Grist Mill stands as a timeless symbol of Appalachian history, framed by dense forest and the serene beauty of Babcock State Park. Photo by Joshua MooreNantahala Cascades is a picturesque roadside stop along Wayah Road in Western North Carolina. From the photographer: “It’s located just below a kayak put-in on the Nantahala River, making it a perfect stop for adventurous paddlers.” Photo by Tom Moors
More than 70 years after she first took to the rails, the legendary Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 continues to inspire both passengers and the volunteers who keep her running.
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.
Long before modern healthcare reached many Appalachian communities, Granny Women became trusted healers and caregivers, delivering babies, treating illness and injury, and preserving generations of healing knowledge.
Ten years after this poll’s inaugural launch, we once again turned to our knowledgeable readers for their picks. The results? A brand-new collection of 71 exceptional Blue Ridge communities that excel at bringing big smiles to the faces of both residents and visitors.
Skip to content
