Tucked in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the laid-back town of Beech Mountain sits at an elevation of 5,506 feet and is abundant with sights to explore and exciting recreational activities regardless of the season. Visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and hiking the miles of scenic trails, including more than eight miles of Emerald Outback Trails. If exploring the countryside by car is more your style, you can drive the backroads to discover the Avery County Quilt Trail showcasing the Appalachian culture and craft traditions with more than 50 quilt patterns and unique shapes painted on the local barns. Maps of the Quilt Trail are available online or at the town’s Visitor Center.

Beech Mountain is home to more than 100 bird species that you can spot throughout the year. Falls Trail hosts a variety of warbler species such as the Wood Thrush, Veery, and Cedar Waxwing. Beech Mountain Parkway is dotted with several local restaurants offering pizza, burgers, and other tasty dishes. You can also check out the local brewery and bar for a drink and bite to eat.

Due to its high elevation, Beech Mountain remains cool throughout most of the year. Summers are comfortable and breezy, making pleasant conditions for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. During the fall season, brilliant autumn colors paint the mountain town, and roadside farm stands pop up around the area selling apples and other goodies. Come wintertime, Beech Mountain transforms into a winter wonderland as the powder-fresh snow blankets the trees and mountain tops. The winter months provide a haven for winter sports lovers as the fresh snowfall creates idyllic conditions for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.

Emerald Outback

Hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners can delight in Emerald Outback, a park that sits at around 5,400 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Emerald Outback encompasses over eight miles of multi-use trails and features wind-swept Beech trees, lush forests, small streams, and rocky terrain. The park includes three scenic lookout points and an abundance of vantage points for panoramic views of the verdant landscape.

Sledding Hill

Beech Mountain boasts the only municipal sledding hill in the southeast and provides a thrilling way to enjoy the snowy slopes. Thanks to its high elevation, the hill keeps much of its snow the majority of the year, though it is also equipped with a snow-making machine to ensure optimal sledding conditions year-round. The sledding hill offers multiple levels of steepness, catering to kids and adults. If you need a plastic sled, there are sled rentals nearby.

Buckeye Lake Recreation Area

A local gem tucked away in this mountain town, Buckeye Lake Recreation Area features a gorgeous lake surrounded by lush greenery. The serene landscape serves as a scenic backdrop to enjoy many outdoor recreational activities, including pedal boating and canoeing. Buckeye Lake is also home to many of Beech Mountain’s natural bird habitats, and you can pick up a free birding checklist at the town Visitors Center.