Our contributing photographers capture the drama and splendor of mountain excursions.Two of West Virginia’s Cass Scenic Railroad State Park’s Shay steam locomotives sit by the water tower at sunset. The recently restored Norfolk & Western #611 rolls through Blue Ridge, Virginia, pulling an excursion sponsored by the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive leads the westbound Nantahala Gorge excursion along the banks of the Nantahala River near Wesser, North Carolina. The Cheat Mountain Salamander arrives at Spruce, West Virginia, from Elkins, amid some of the state’s most beautiful fall colors. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is headquartered in Blue Ridge, Georgia, and makes its way along the Toccoa River. Locomotive 106 of The Big South Fork Scenic Railway in Stearns takes visitors on a picturesque 14-mile trip through the Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. The ride makes a stop at Blue Heron Coal Mining Camp, a National Park Service outdoor interpretive site, which houses the largest interpretive collection of historic coal mining in America. The family-owned Locust Heights & Western Railroad’s Mason Climax locomotive operates on a short stretch of track on Wednesdays, June through October, in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
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.
Our longtime contributing editor knows Great Smoky Mountains National Park like the back of her hand. Drawing inspiration from countless visits over the years, she shares some of her favorite spots to explore during the warm months, plus insider tips for spotting wildlife, discovering waterfalls, finding the best family-friendly experiences in the park—and more!
More than a century after the 1921 West Virginia Miners’ March that ended with
the Battle of Blair Mountain, the story is being told in new and unforgettable ways.
On July 4, 1776, a new nation was born. In honor of this historic day, we explore the forts, battlefields, museums, trails, and more that trace the Patriots’ journey to freedom in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
