48 hours in McDowell County
McDowell County has all of the hallmarks of a world class adventure destination. Picture perfect lake ideal for paddling, camping and swimming? That would be Lake James. Scenic views from summits? The county has mountains that reach 3,000 feet in elevation, as well as a slice of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Parkway. Hundreds of miles of trails traverse the landscape, offering something for hard-charging athletes and those simply looking for a scenic stroll. Meanwhile, the trail towns of Marion, Old Fort, Little Switzerland and Linville Falls serve as cultural hubs for residents and visitors alike. And maybe most important? McDowell County has a culture of stewardship that guides the area’s development as more visitors discover the beauty that exists in this up-and-coming adventure destination.
Steve Pierce
meet the local: steve pierce
A former school teacher who taught at a local elementary school for decades, Steve Pierce is used to thinking about the well-being of the community. But instead of shaping young minds, Pierce now spends much of his time shaping the outdoor objectives for McDowell County, contributing to multiple outdoor organizations in the region. Most notably, Pierce serves as the president of the McDowell Trails Association, a non-profit that is responsible for a variety of community-based trail projects. When he’s not helping to plan the next great trail of McDowell County, he’s out hiking them.
“There are so many trails in this area, a visitor could come for a week and fill all of their time with outdoor recreation,” Pierce says. “And the systems are only growing. There are new trails being developed in several locations throughout the county.”
With the help of the McDowell Trails Association, those visitors can practice good stewardship while enjoying the trails; the association provides volunteers and participants of guided hikes with free backpack tags that list the seven key Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principles.
Steve Pierce: My weekend exploring and preserving in Mcdowell county
day one
morning adventure
Start in Old Fort, which is a rapidly growing trail town at the base of Pisgah National Forest. A one-stop place to learn about all the area has to offer is the Destination McDowell Visitor Center on Catawba Avenue.
A visit here is a good way to Plan Ahead and Prepare, because you can learn about the current trail conditions and status of various trails. Planning ahead like this will help minimize your impact by allowing you to steer clear of trails that are closed for maintenance.
A great introduction to the area’s grandeur is to hike the Catawba Falls Trail, which has undergone serious renovation projects during recent years. Catawba Falls is a two-tiered waterfall with a 205-foot cascading Lower Falls and an 80-foot Upper Falls. You can complete a 3.5-mile loop that takes in both sections of the falls.
Lunch
There are some great locally owned businesses right in downtown Old Fort. If you’re looking for pizza, go to 27 Main, which serves delicious, hand-made pies in one of downtown’s historic buildings on Main Street.
Afternoon adventure
Everyone should check out Old Fort’s Gateway Trail System, which is an ever-expanding collection of hiking trails and singletrack designed for mountain biking. If you just want to take a stroll, the Meadows Loop Trail is a mostly level crushed rock trail along a creek and through a meadow. The one-mile loop is accessible to almost everyone and an accessible fishing pier is located nearby, if you want to drop a line.
Mountain bikers have plenty to choose from in the Gateway Trails. There are more than 14 miles of trail on the ground now, and that total will more than triple as new projects come online. Bikers and runners can do laps by climbing Jarrett Creek, a gravel road, and descending the flowy trails of Jarrett’s Run or Betty’s Run back to the trailhead.
dinner
Finish the night at Hillman Beer, in downtown Old Fort. You can sit outside on their patio right next to Mill Creek, listening to the water trickle by, and have their Signature Burger, which uses locally-grown beef, and one of their locally made beers.
spend the night
There are plenty of camping and cabin options surrounding Old Fort, as well as some unique inns and retreats. Indigo Retreat is nestled against Pisgah National Forest and offers overnight stays as well as guided nature retreats.
Or you can stay at the Inn on Mill Creek, which will put you close to the trails between Old Fort and Black Mountain.
day two
morning adventure
If it’s warm, spending a few hours on Lake James is a must. The man-made reservoir is the central focus of Lake James State Park. It’s a 6,812-acre lake with multiple secluded coves where mountains rising directly from the edge of the water. A sandy beach makes swimming an approachable adventure for visitors, but you can also rent canoes or paddleboards from the park’s Paddy’s Creek Recreation Area and explore the lake’s 150 miles of shoreline.
Paddling is a great way to see wildlife, as it’s often quieter than hiking. If you see one of the area’s local creatures, like a bald eagle, which have been known to nest near Lake James, or a black bear, Keep Wildlife Wild by maintaining a safe distance, which will help preserve that animal’s stress-free experience.
lunch break
Check out Mica Town Brewing’s new outpost near Lake James State Park to grab a snack and a beer after an adventure on the lake. If you want classic BBQ done right, head to Smokey Que’s in Marion.
afternoon adventure
It’s time for a scenic drive, so head deeper into the mountains to access the Blue Ridge Parkway, where you can drive a 25-mile stretch of the road that offers plenty of scenic views from regular pullouts, but also provides access to some fun hikes and pit stops. Check out Little Switzerland, a historic resort town with unique Swiss architecture, or the Historic Orchard at Altapass, where a general store serves goodies picked fresh from the 100-year-old orchard. If you want to stretch your legs, Crabtree Falls is a 60-foot waterfall at the end of a three-mile hike.
When you’re hiking, be sure you stick to the established trails and take rest breaks and lunch breaks on durable surfaces, like places where benches have been places, or large rock outcroppings. This will give the foliage surrounding the trails the chance to thrive without being disturbed.
Bonus adventure
The Point Lookout Trail is a great option for both hikers and cyclists. It’s a 3.6-mile paved trail that follows the former roadbed of Old Highway 70 but is closed to motorized traffic. The trail gains 900 feet through a scenic gorge between Old 70 and Black Mountain, so there is some climbing, but you can always turn back when you like. And the long-range views are great, especially from an overlook at the top of the trail, which looks back at the mountains surrounding Old Fort and Marion.
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