*Tours by Appointment Only*

One of the best kept secrets in the North Carolina High Country is the Apple Hill Farm, located just outside Banner Elk.

Apple Hill is a working alpaca and llama farm, with a popular gift store, that offers tours year-round to visitors.

The tours are guided, educational walking tours that generally last about 45 to 60 minutes. On each tour, v... Read More

Just a short drive from Banner Elk is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the NC mountains.

Elk River Falls, also known as Big Falls, features large volumes of water dropping 50 feet over a rock cliff into a picturesque oval pool.

The trail to the falls is an easy-to-follow trail, but there are ample rocks and roots along the way. It is about a third of a mile to get to the falls (0.6 miles roundtrip).

The falls can be viewed from an area near the top of the falls... Read More

Step inside Humpback Mountain with a guided tour through Linville Caverns. The active caverns reveal stalactite and stalagmite formations — points hanging from the ceiling or rising from the floor formed by the minerals in dripping water.

The caverns were first discovered in the early 1800s when fishermen from eastern North Carolina spotted trout that appeared to be swimming in and out of a rock. Their investigation led them to the caverns and an underground stream.

Linville ... Read More

Grandfather Mountain is a popular tourist attraction located atop one of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Each year, it attracts about 250,000 tourists who spend the day hiking, viewing animals, visiting the nature museum and picnicking.

One of the mountain’s best-known pastimes is a walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge. At one mile above sea level, the bridge is the highest suspension footbridge in the country. A journey to the end offers 360-degree views of the ... Read More

Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster is North Carolina’s first alpine roller coaster, providing thrilling outdoor adventure in Banner Elk.

Wilderness Run is built by Germany’s top alpine coaster company and modeled after popular coasters in Europe. The track’s length of 3,160 feet includes three circular loops, a series of waves and several twists and turns for plenty of excitement.

Guests navigate the track in individual carts that are designed to accommodate up t... Read More

What was once a community necessity in rural Valle Crucis is now a popular stop for tourists to journey back in time. Folks come to play checkers by the pot-bellied stove, listen to bluegrass music on the back porch or just enjoy a Moon Pie and RC Cola.

Mast General Store opened as The Taylor General Store in 1883 before W.W. Mast purchased the store in 1913 and tried to stock everything local residents need from cloth and plow points to cradles and caskets. The store earned the mot... Read More

Foscoe Fishing Co. provides expert outfitting and fly fishing guide service for everybody from first-timers to experienced anglers. It is the only Orvis endorsed fly fishing outfitter and guide service in North Carolina’s High Country

Foscoe Fishing operates a full-service fly shop in the community of Foscoe, located between Banner Elk and Boone. Their experienced and knowledgeable guides take guests to some of the best spots for fly fishing on the Watauga, Linville, Toe, Elk and Ne... Read More

From early June through late September, ski slopes become downhill mountain biking trails at Beech Mountain Resort.

The Beech Mountain Bike Park provides chairlift service to the top of the 5,506 peak, allowing riders to choose from a variety of trails back down to the resort village.

There are 10 trails in total, ranging from easy to intermediate to advanced to expert only. Read More