This was an easy hike. As with many waterfall hikes, Otter Falls trail was basically all downhill…read moreuntil you get to the falls, but then it's all uphill on the return walk. But the falls themselves were beautiful and there were a lot of large rocks to walk around on and explore along the water. This would be another great spot to spend time on a hot day with kids, enjoy a picnic, hike down and then back up, or just relax by the water for a while.

It's not a huge hiking trail (maybe a mile total) but the terrain is very hills and technical. We…read morewent when the ground was a little snowy/icy, so I would recommend hiking boots for the excursion. The views and scenery are fabulous. There are waterfalls and streams and tons of rocks to climb for fun photos. My only wish was to have a picnic area near the parking area so that we could enjoy a picnic and then a family walk together.

Beautiful small park with excellent view below and above. Picnic area with two different camping…read morestoves. One was covered. Porta potties that appear to be temporary as the area is under construction.

This is such a special spot in Boone. The drive is crazy steep, but it is absolutely worth trekking…read moreup to see the top of Howard's Knob. You cannot find a better view of the town and beautiful mountains surrounding the area. Plenty of opportunities to snap some amazing pictures unlike anywhere else in the high country. During the winter months the park gate is closed, otherwise the daytime hours are clearly posted. There is a fair amount of parking spots and plenty of picnic tables (some are sheltered) and trash cans. Please don't forget to respect the neighbors and the park boundaries.

Linville Falls is one of those places where the journey is as much a part of the experience as the…read moredestination. First, the good stuff: admission is free, parking is free, and the scenery is absolutely gorgeous. If you're driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, watch carefully for Milepost 316 and the signs for the Visitor Center and Campground. It's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. The weather on my visit was spectacular. It was nearly 20 degrees cooler than Charlotte, and after a few minutes in the mountains, I understood why people keep coming back. The forests are lush, the rhododendrons were blooming, the streams were crystal clear, and the overlooks provide beautiful views of the gorge and waterfalls. That said, if you have knee issues or mobility challenges like I do, know what you're getting into. I have a torn ACL, and while this isn't an extreme hike, I wouldn't call it easy either. The trails include uneven terrain, loose rocks, roots, stairs, narrow pathways, and some fairly steep inclines and descents. Going downhill was actually harder for me than climbing up. I was encouraged to see hikers of all ages out enjoying the trails. There were families with children, seniors, avid hikers with trekking poles, and plenty of casual visitors stopping at the overlooks. The atmosphere felt friendly and relaxed. Was it worth it? I'm still a little on the fence personally, mostly because my knee limited how much I could enjoy the trails. But I can absolutely appreciate why Linville Falls is one of the Blue Ridge Parkway's most popular stops. The views are beautiful, the facilities are convenient, and it's an easy way to experience some of North Carolina's mountain scenery without committing to an all-day hike. If you're reasonably mobile and enjoy nature, it's worth a stop. If you have bad knees, just bring realistic expectations and take your time. Life is too short to stay indoors. Get out there and explore. The mountains are waiting.

Saturday Tony Vanoy and I went hiking at Linville Falls off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Linville NC…read morearea. It was such a beautiful day! It was about a 2 mile loop if you go all the way to Erwin' View on the trail from the Visitors Center & parking lot where the bathrooms and gift shop is located. We had a lovely hiking adventure!

We traveled to Blowing Rock, NC to visit friends and to explore the area - what I didn't know is…read morethat our friends live only a few hundred yards from this beautiful marvel in a cliff side home over-looking the beautiful valley below. The Blowing Rock itself is an immense cliff 4,000 feet above sea-level overhanging John's River Gorge 3,000 feet below. I've read the legends of this rock and my friends have told me during the winter storms the snow blows upward from the cliffs and from their back porch the snow rises from the valley and appears to fall upward. The air currents that flow upward prompted scientists to surmise this location is "the only place in the world where snow falls upside down". I climbed up the blowing rock that protrudes over the valley to get the best view possible and felt the breeze rising upward, it was pretty cool while a little unnerving at the same time, I admit it was a crawl to the very edge and not a place I felt comfortable standing it's very steep and treacherous in my opinion. The entire facility is well maintained and the staff here was very friendly and knowledgeable. They have a snack bar with outdoor tables and a nice gift shop. On the day we arrived there were several artists with their canvases painting the blowing rock and backdrop. There's plenty of parking and as beautiful as it is I think allowing less than an hour here is more than enough time to see it all and explore the observation platform and hiking trails...

I went here for the penny, I have to admit but I'm glad that I did. The views are stunning from the…read moreobservation area. It was beyond foggy the day we went, they warned us before we paid but I wanted to press on. The gift shop is nice and has literally something for everyone. The properly has 3 kitties roaming around. The rock itself is sorta a gimmick but the story behind it is full of culture and myth. The property is VERY well maintained and beautiful. There is a small cafe/snack shop halfway to the observation tower. There are some stars but also a ramp. There is a view finder for a few quarters on the deck you can make use of. The paths are short and this place is pretty accessible. I really liked the gem room too it was very interesting, there is also a tiny museum with some history and artifacts. Blowing rock is pet friendly!!

Blowing Rock really has a lot going for it, from the busy downtown scene with restaurants, shops,…read moreboutiques, sweets, breweries, fine dining, you name it. And then just a 15min walk (or 2 minute car ride) from downtown, Bass Lake is right there for your hiking pleasure. The lake itself is serene with great views from the circumferential hiking path around it. But it doesn't end there. Miles and miles of trails break off from the main lake for a longer outdoor experience. Plenty of parking with clean bathrooms at the main parking area. This is perfect for a shorter stroll around the lake, or a day's adventure across the many trails leading from here.

Great park to go for a walk. I bet they have hiking trails also but I have never been on those. We…read morejust stick to the path around the lake which is an easy walk and gorgeous everywhere you look. They have signs about the different fish in the lake so I believe you can fish there although I've not seen anyone fishing yet. Definitely worth checking out if you're on the area.

This is an adorable little park with picnic benches, streams and waterfalls. It's alternate name…read more(donated by Firefighters) is Waterfalls Park. There is an upward hike to see all three falls up close but it is also fairly accessible for people who aren't able to hike upwards. It is a beautiful break from the bustle around and quite the little surprise.

Five Stars for the view. It's absolutely breathtaking…read more It's a dirt pull off on the side of north-bound NC-181, with absolutely no amenities: no bathrooms, no picnic tables*, and no trash cans. (So please, don't leave anything behind and pick up after yourself.) There are also NO GUARD RAILS so please watch your children (and yourself). Entering/Exiting sides both have very deep potholes, so do not enter/exit fast. I am not sure if these are new (from Hurricane Helene) or just natural erosion. I know this sounds like a downer review, but I want to make sure everyone knows what to expect. It's a lovely spot to pull over, stretch your legs, and take a few pics of the amazing view. Maybe one day, they can pave it and fancy it up a bit, but until then, please just enjoy it for what it is: Nature's Eyecandy. *Another reviewer mentioned picnic tables but when we were there, 23Nov24, there were none to be seen. Perhaps lost from Hurricane Helene?

Why are there so much trash on the hill side. This is not a dumping site, pos…read more Other than that, it is a good spot for pictures, picnic and chill. There are picnic benches at the side that you can sit down and eat. Clean up after yourself please

Before driving through the area I had looked prior to starting the drive if there were any…read moreinteresting places to see that I may never have the opportunity to see again - this covered bridge is one I had booked marked so why not. I consider these types of structures interesting and definitely qualifies as a roadside attraction and oddity in my opinion. We arrived mid-day to find a few visitors mulling around snapping a few photos and taking advantage of the free access. The Doe River below was filled with ducks and geese swimming and looking for a free handout, apparently they have become accustomed to the generosity of the visitors here. This is a well built bridge that reminds you of how things used to be built there aren't many projects now days that are built to last 143 years, although this covered bridge hasn't been in service since the Federal Highway Administration and the Tennessee Department of Transportation funded a $400,000 bridge rehabilitation in 2003-2004 at that time, it was closed to vehicular traffic and converted into a pedestrian-only bridge. It's definitely a survivor having withstood major flood events in 1901, 1940, 1998 and the horrific flooding in September 2024 and she still stands as beautiful as ever...

Me and my wife recently stopped by here today to see what this bridge had to offer. Ground screw…read morethat work with the city were installing Christmas lights around the area. This Bridge very historical and it features plenty of information nearby across the river. This bridge is an easy walk though there are no Scenic views at all inside . Though there are paths to walk through there is a area for pedestrians on the narrow side where everyone else gets to have the larger section.