(English) 7 Great Summer Activities in Western North Carolina

[:en]The mountains of Western North Carolina are home to some wonderful places and exciting activities to enjoy a memorable summer vacation.

1) Hawksnest Snow Tubing and Zipline

 

Summer activities- Hawksnest Snow Tubing and Zipline
Hawksnest Snow Tubing and Zipline

Located near Sugar Mountain, Hawksnest is home to one of the longest ziplines in the nation. There are 4 miles of zipline riding with speeds up to 50 mph and heights over 200 ft. There are 20 ziplines, including two over 2000 feet long, and two over 1500 feet long. The views are wonderful, and the guides were all friendly and fun! $70 per person

2) White Water Rafting at Wildwater Nantahala

White Water Rafting
White Water Rafting at Wildwater Nantahala

Located near Bryson City, the Nantahala River is perfect for first-time rafters, school groups, and families. With primarily class I and class II rapids, and just one class III drop at the very end, this mild-to-moderate river can be rafted without a guide. You’ll spend about 2 hours on the river and should have a blast! Prices vary

3) Hiking at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area

Summer activities - Urbansurf
Hiking at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area

Located in West Jefferson, Mount Jefferson rises 1,600 feet above the surrounding landscape. A beautiful drive takes you close to the top with scenic overlooks along the way and a handful of beautiful hiking trails near the top. We recommend taking the Summit and Rhododendron Trail out to Luther Rock. It’s a couple miles with rewarding views at the top! Free

4) Mountain Biking at Beech Mountain

Summer activities - Urbansurf
Mountain Biking at Beech Mountain

Most people probably visit Beech Mountain in the wintertime to ski, but summertime here is a completely different and lovely experience. The main draw for us is the lift-serviced downhill mountain biking on a multitude of epic trails that will test your skills! Beech also offers scenic lift rides, mile-high yoga, disc golf, hiking, live music, tubing, skating, and more!

5) Tubing at Zaloo’s Canoes, Kayaks & Tubes

Summer activities
Tubing at Zaloo’s Canoes, Kayaks & Tubes

If you’re looking for a slower, more relaxing experience compared the white-water rafting, the New River flows gently and offers beautiful surroundings. We rented an extra tube specifically for our cooler which we filled with drinks and snacks for the approximately 3-hour float trip. $20 per person 

6) Camping at Grandfather Campground

Summer activities - Camping at Grandfather Campground
Camping at Grandfather Campground

Situated at the base of Grandfather Mountain, this is a beautiful campground with streams, firepits, and a cozy forest feeling. The staff is friendly, people were fishing and playing in the stream, and the office has a shop with plenty of food and materials. There’s also a playground, a large meadow, and even a dog park. The bathrooms have two toilets and two showers and were shockingly nice and well kept.$18 

7) Gem Mining at Sugar Creek Gem Mine

Summer activities
Gem Mining at Sugar Creek Gem Mine

A unique experience and a great activity for kids. Compared to other Gem Mining spots in the area, Sugar Creek is the best value. You use a shovel, water, and sifter to find citrine, rubies, emeralds, tourmaline, and more in the bucket of your choice.  The staff is friendly and will help you identify your stones after you’ve mined.$19

You may be interested to read that article Tribal Tourism: 11 Travel Routes To Discover the Undiscovered

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