Old Fort, North Carolina nominated for 14th Annual Top Adventure Town Contest by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine!
The Mid-Atlantic and Southeast boast many towns with vibrant outdoor scenes and access to world-class adventure. In August, readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine will select their favorites to ultimately crown the region’s best towns for outdoor adventure.
Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine staff narrowed the field to 100 contenders for the 14th annual Top Adventure Towns Contest. The locations selected are prime mountain biking destinations, whitewater oases, climbing paradises, hiking havens, thriving craft beer hubs, and vibrant live music spots. 2023-2024 have been monumental years for outdoor recreation in Old Fort, NC. As we continue to build our vast networks of trails, steward one of the most amazing waterfalls in Western NC, and build a resilient, sustainable outdoor community, we're proud to have Old Fort nominated as one of the top Tiny Towns for adventure.
Starting August 5th, readers will select the top outdoor town in four categories: large town (population 75,001+), medium town (population 16,001 – 75,000), small town (population 3,001 - 16,000), and tiny town (population less than 3,000).
Round 1- August 5 - 18
Round 2- August 19 - 25
Round 3- August 26 - 31
The four winning towns will be featured in the November issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine.
“There are many towns in the Blue Ridge with stellar access to recreation and vibrant cultural scenes created around the outdoors,” says Blue Ridge Outdoors editor-in-chief Jedd Ferris. “Every year we look forward to our readers helping us spotlight the region’s best adventure destinations.”
Earlier this Summer, McDowell Tourism Development Authority (TDA) was contacted about the outdoor recreation, recreation amenities, and perks of visiting Old Fort as an outdoor recreation destination. A write-up covering the expansive trail network, grants supporting trail building and outdoor spaces, the newly reimagined Catawba Falls, and various in-town amenities earned them the nomination.
“As a Visitor Center and TDA, it’s amazing to share the growth of this community with visitors and locals. Sometimes we have folks that have lived here for over a decade come in, and they’re astounded by just how many new and existing outdoor spaces we have to explore. Having the Pisgah National Forest, Catawba Falls, and being at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains has been a boon to those seeking adventure in our region,” says McDowell TDA Marketing & Communications Manager Omi Salavea.
Shortly after the opening of the Bernard Mountain Trail, Camp Grier and its G5 Trail Collective initiative received $2.5 million from the state of North Carolina to support the completion of the Old Fort Trails project. The funding will be used for 25 to 30 miles of trail development over the next two years, with the Lower Heartbreak Ridge opening earlier this Summer. On May 31st, the combination of the grand reopening of Catawba Falls and Old Fort’s Trails & Trains Festival resulted in regional attention to the area as a scenic and invigorating destination.
It’s not just outdoor spaces that have garnered the attention of mtb enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and visitors. Old Fort has seen multiple businesses open from 2022-2024 that compliment the small mountain town charm while catering to the needs of locals and visitors staying in Old Fort. Waterways, a recreational and fishing kayak company, offers watersports gear, maps, and guide information for McDowell County waterways, including new blueway and snorkeling trails in the area. MountainTop Shuttles, a cycling shuttle service run by Jeremy Poore and his partner Molly Morningglory, meet cyclists in front of Old Fort Town Hall and Seeker Coffee, the new coffee and espresso bar located downtown. Hillman Beer -Old Fort continues to be the finishing location for many of the races and marathons that run through the county. As an NC Mountain Heritage Trout Town, businesses like High Fins Expedition or Connecting the Dots Fishing Guides provide unique guided experiences along Mill Creek and Curtis Creek.
Old Fort, NC continues to hold onto its small town charm while moving forward with the growing interest in outdoor recreation.
Voting for the Top Adventure Towns started August 5th, and can be down by visiting the Blue Ridge Outdoors “Top Towns” page here:
https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/toptowns
Locals, visitors, and fans of Old Fort, NC can help spread the word on Social Media by sharing a link to the contest along with the image below.
Link: https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/toptowns
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