Exploring Beech mountain with Armando Garcia
Armando Garcia
Tourism Marketing Director
Town of Beech Mountain
At an elevation of more than 5,500 feet, Beech Mountain isn’t just the highest American town east of the Rocky Mountains. And it’s not just a hot spot for skiing either. Perched within the Blue Ridge Mountains, this small mountain community is a gateway to some of North Carolina’s most unique high-elevation ecosystems.
From panoramic ridgelines lined with groves of the mountain’s namesake beech trees to peregrine falcons circling over treetops and rime ice — effectively frozen fog — sheathing branches and shrubs in cooler months, the natural world here is as dramatic as it is delicate. And that makes stewardship a key part of experiencing this High Country terrain’s beauty firsthand.
As Tourism and Marketing Director for the Town of Beech Mountain, Armando Garcia plays a central role in helping guests connect to this remarkable landscape in meaningful, informed ways. Knowing that, we asked him to clue us in on his favorite natural spaces to explore on Beech Mountain, as well as what makes these spaces special to the mountain’s small community of full-time residents and wildlife.
Read on for his tips for cross-season outdoor adventures and what guests can do to help preserve Beech Mountain’s beauty.
exploring beech mountain, north carolina
Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do in the town of beech mountain?
I was born in Cuba, moved to Spain as a child and eventually our family worked its way to Miami to be reunited with the rest of our family. I graduated college with both commercial art and fine art degrees and began my career at the Miami Herald Publishing Company’s marketing department, eventually moving to the advertising agency world and working as a creative director.
I discovered Beech Mountain through my in-laws. My father-in-law owned a second home here, and for many years we would visit during the summer for a break from the Miami heat. We moved to Beech Mountain full-time in 2019.
What inspires you to do what you do?
I have always been fascinated by art and design and consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to earn a living doing what I love. I first moved to Beech with plans to retire but soon found myself longing to share this beautiful mountain with others. I took a position at the Visitor Center where I could use my marketing and communication skills to promote this very special place.
What makes the outdoor experiences you love in beech mountain unique?
As you can probably imagine, a small town on top of a mountain has a very close-knit community where the locals are experts in rolling out the red carpet to thousands of guests each year. But for me, what makes Beech truly unique is the natural environment. The elevation changes between the summit and lower areas, such as the Buckeye Lake area, provide the ideal conditions for unique ecosystems where one can experience a wide range of fauna and flora within a short distance.
I love knowing that I’m sharing the outdoors here with creatures great and small, from black bears and white-tailed deer to eastern coyotes, squirrels, and birds. No matter how big or small, I always observe any creatures I encounter from a respectful distance and am careful to trash my trash, so that the wildlife of Beech Mountain can stay wild.
Emerald Outback Trail System in Beech Mountain
If you had a day to spend outdoors in beech mountain, what must-see landmarks or attractions would you visit?
This is a tough one. Beech Mountain truly offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation options for every interest and every season. Depending on the time of year, you can explore against a backdrop of lush, green mountains in the summer, a riot of colors in the fall, rime ice-covered trees in the winter, or pastel rhododendrons and flaming azaleas in the spring.
If you’re passionate about winter sports, the Beech Mountain Resort is a must-visit, offering skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing, dining and even a craft brewery. Outside the resort, there’s a free sledding hill for kids 12 and under that’s great for families. And if you’re visiting in the summer, there are many wallet-friendly activities for families to enjoy, from outdoor concerts, hiking, and mountain biking trails to playgrounds and the resort’s lift-assisted downhill mountain biking park.
Come autumn, the Buckeye Lake recreation area can’t be missed. Here, guests can sign out a free canoe or kayak for a relaxing afternoon paddle around the calm waters of Buckeye Lake, where you can enjoy the spectacular display of color nature puts on for us. This is also an ideal spot for birding enthusiasts — approximately 127 bird species can be found on Beech Mountain throughout the year. Because of this great abundance of species, the High Country Audubon Society has recognized the Buckeye Lake recreation area as a “hot spot” in the High Country.
In the spring, trout anglers have multiple options on Beech Mountain. Our town has two lakes stocked annually by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, as well as a handful of mountain streams. Two of those streams – Buckeye Creek and Pond Creek – are part of the High Country Mountain Heritage Trout Waters program.
Thinking about those must-see spots, how would you create the ideal day spent outdoors in Beech mountain?
In the wintertime, grab breakfast at Slope View Cafe to enjoy your meal while watching the skiers rush down the slopes. After, head straight to the resort for a full day of frosty adventure. You could ski or snowboard in the morning, grab lunch at Beech Mountain Brewing Company’s taproom and grill in the resort’s village, then head back out with the family for some tubing fun. To cap it off, finish the day with s’mores around the fire pit of your cabin rental.
In the summer, after breakfast at Fred’s Backside Deli, head out for a hike and some spectacular views at the Emerald Outback trail system, located at the summit. After working up an appetite, stop by Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria. Then, grab a canoe to explore Buckeye Lake. Later in the afternoon, you can catch the sunset while enjoying a free concert on the lawn of the Top of the Beech Inn, followed by dinner on the premises at the Alpen Restaurant & Bar.
Are there any lesser-known trails, parks or outdoor activities that you would recommend?
Beech Mountain offers over 27 miles of hiking and biking trails. For some of the best views from the summit, head to the Emerald Outback trail system I mentioned. Or, to explore aquatic habitats, the Buckeye Lake Loop is a great way to see more of the lake area, and Falls Trail will lead you to the largest waterfall on the mountain. For a quieter, lesser-known experience, I would recommend the easy-to-moderate Smoketree Trail. It’s a nice, 1.8-mile grassy trail, and it intersects with Buckeye Creek for a chance to see small, cascading waterfalls and tranquil pools.
Fawns on smoketree trail near Beech Mountain.
Do you have any local food or dining recommendations that complement a day of outdoor adventure?
For breakfast, Fred’s Backside Deli is the place to be for fresh biscuits and pastries, full breakfast options, and locals who’ve made Fred’s their second home. The Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria is another favorite for locals and families, offering fresh pizzas, pastas, subs, and a large collection of craft beers. Beyond food, there’s an arcade, mini-golf course and a rope climbing tower on the premises. For a more upscale dining experience, The Alpen Restaurant & Bar is great for steaks and their signature almond-crusted trout.
What tips do you have for guests to ensure they have a safe and enjoyable outdoor adventure here?
Be aware of your surroundings. Some of our woodland trails have roots and rocks that can be challenging to navigate if distracted. Many of our hikes, like the Emerald Outback trail system’s Jackalope’s, Northview, Southern Ridge, Oz Forest, and Wizards Way loop, take you into high-elevation terrain where weather conditions can change. It’s always a good idea to plan ahead and prepare by checking the forecast, dressing in layers, and bringing plenty of water. Cell service could be spotty in some areas, so download trail maps in advance and let someone know your plans. Finally, remember you’re sharing the trails with wildlife — stay on marked paths and approach your adventure with respect for the fragile alpine environment that makes Beech Mountain special.
People who are passionate about the outdoors like yourself are typically equally passionate about stewardship. Can you share an interesting fact about stewardship in Beech Mountain that many might not know?
Being a mountain, we are very aware that we share this very special habitat with our wildlife neighbors. Both residents and businesses join efforts to protect and create safe environments for wildlife. That’s why Beech Mountain is one of a handful of communities in NC to be designated a Wildlife Habitat Community by the National Wildlife Federation.
Can you give us some background on how you approach stewardship and responsible recreation?
Bringing stakeholders together is my approach. Community leaders and advocates for our natural environment on the mountain are committed to preserving this place we all love, and they welcome the opportunity to participate in stewardship. Beech Mountain’s Parks and Recreation department has taken the lead in developing educational programming and creating opportunities to enjoy nature respectfully and without disruption to wildlife on the local trails.
Are there recent examples of local projects or initiatives aimed at preserving the natural beauty and resources of the Beech Mountain?
The Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation department and local leaders have developed several programs to help preserve the beauty of the mountain. Every spring, the Chamber of Commerce sponsors a Community Clean Up weekend, where residents and guests are given the tools and encouragement to go outside and collect litter from the landscape. At the end of the day, lunch is provided for all participants, as well as prizes for different categories like “Most Bizarre Item Collected” and “Most Litter Collected.” The Parks and Recreation department also manages an Adopt a Trail program that encourages residents and businesses to commit to trail maintenance.
How can guests contribute to these stewardship efforts during their stay or after they have visited?
Check out Beech Mountain’s calendar of events or drop by the Visitor Center to learn about the next upcoming Community Clean Up weekend. It’s a great way for guests to get to know locals and help us protect the destination they love so much. Another way guests can help is by amplifying stewardship messaging through their social media channels.
How does the local culture and community influence the outdoor experiences in Beech Mountain?
Beech Mountain is a small town consisting of about 600 year-round residents. Most residents on the mountain are transplants who once visited and fell in love with the outdoor experiences Beech Mountain has to offer. Therefore, stewardship of the environment and wildlife is ingrained in the local culture. Residents don’t just participate in stewardship initiatives — they advocate for them.
Can you share any local festivals or events that highlight the connection between the community, stewardship and the outdoors?
As previously mentioned, Community Clean Up weekends and Adopt a Trail initiatives are two crucial programs highlighting the connection between stewardship and the community here. The Visitor Center also provides pamphlets, magnets, and other materials that promote stewardship to both residents and businesses who then join the efforts in distributing the message.
What final advice or message would you like to share with guests coming to explore Beech Mountain?
By adopting stewardship practices that are mindful of Beech Mountain’s unique ecosystems, we can help preserve the continued beauty and abundant wildlife of this natural space for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future.
How can people stay in the loop about seasonal outdoor experiences, upcoming events or stewardship initiatives in Beech Mountain?
Visit our website or call the Visitor Center at 828-387-9283.
*Published July 2025
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