Top 4: Population 50,000+
1. Asheville, North Carolina / Mount Mitchell State Park
2. Roanoke, Virginia / Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
3. Johnson City, Tennessee / Roan Mountain State Park
4. Greenville, South Carolina / Table Rock State Park.
1. Asheville, North Carolina / Mount Mitchell State Park
The city: Discover the River Arts District of historic buildings where over 250 artists express their creativity via a vast array of media. Take the self-guided Urban Trail to learn of the city’s literary legends. Then, spend the day at the site of the nation’s first managed forest—Biltmore Estate. The 8,000 acres of formal and informal gardens can be explored on 20+ miles of trails through forests, meadows and along the French Broad River.
The park: Gaze across one of the planet’s oldest mountain chains at the highest peak east of the Mississippi (6,684 feet). From an easily accessed viewing platform at the summit, witness spruce fir forests and hike easy to strenuous trails for an up-close experience with the wilderness. Stop by the museum and education buildings to learn of the rich diversity of flora and fauna in the park.
2. Roanoke, Virginia / Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
The city: Begin your urban exploration at the City Market in the historic district where local farmers, gardeners and crafters have gathered since 1882. Choose multiple locations to access an amazing network of greenways, blueways and trails in the area—400 miles of them! Be sure to visit the 89-foot illuminated Mill Mountain Star at the city’s highest elevation, with views of McAfee Knob and other surrounding mountains.
The park: Bring your gear to this 20,600-acre freshwater lake to fish for stripers, smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and bluegill. Swim at the 500-foot beach; explore 500 miles of shoreline; hike 13 miles of trails; picnic in a secluded cove; and stay overnight at a cabin, bunkhouse or tent and RV campground. Join a night hike, canoe trip, hay rides or other programs with the park’s Friends group.
3. Johnson City, Tennessee / Roan Mountain State Park
The city: Start with a tour of human history, nature and cave geology at the 45-acre Tipton-Hayes place in a city that was later “put on the map” by the railroad. And, there are ghost tours! Walk the former corridor affectionately known as Tweetsie Trail (for the sound of a train’s whistle)—a 10-mile rail-trail through hardwoods, pastures and overlooks with interpretive signs. For birdwatching, the town’s Winged Deer Park is the destination.
The park: For an authentic Appalachian mountain ridges and “hollers” experience, start at this destination at the base of the 6,285-foot peak. The 2,000-acre park has rugged ridges, quiet hollows and the Doe River winding through the middle. Fish for native brook, rainbow and brown trout. The Miller Farmstead, an example of secluded mountain subsistence lifestyle, is preserved here. Bundle up in winter for some scenic cross-country skiing.
4. Greenville, South Carolina / Table Rock State Park.
The city: Walk the town’s original 1768 grist mill and trading post location beside the 28-foot Reedy River Falls. Once almost hidden by a highway overpass, this stunning waterfall is the park’s centerpiece where nature trails, gardens and a singularly unique curved suspension footbridge await. Take the kids by the public art installation/scavenger hunt, Mice on Main. Wondering if Shoeless Joe Jackson was actually involved in the 1919 Black Sox scandal? Visit his hometown museum to look for answers.
The park: You’ll quickly see why the trails are the stars at this CCC-built, 3,083-acre park containing the imposing granite dome of the state’s tallest mountain. Plan several days to hike amongst and to rocky outcrops, waterfalls, oak/hickory/pine and hemlock forests, rhododendron thickets, a dam and spillway, historic lodge and old stone boat landing. Watch for black bears, deer, foxes, turkeys and a variety of flora.
The story above first appeared in our July/August 2021 issue.
