Blue Ridge Traveler is now: Destination McDowell

When fall color begins to emerge across the high peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding McDowell County’s foothills and towns, there’s no denying the motivation to get out and explore. Adventures both big and small await, with world-class mountain views, breathtaking overlooks and jaw-dropping waterfalls. The changing seasons, and transition of beautiful fall colors have inspired us to change as well.

Over the past month, we have officially rebranded from Blue Ridge Traveler to Destination McDowell. We feel that identifying who we are, and where we are will help us share our story, message, and outdoor wonder here in McDowell County. The experiences and memories you make within McDowell County, NC this year will surpass those of a simple travel along the Blue Ridge, hopefully cementing our Blue Ridge Mountain community as a destination to come explore. With all new changes, we want to share why Destination McDowell is the place to be this fall. Read below to get reacquainted or be inspired to know No Boundaries this when you make your destination McDowell County, NC this year.

One of the world’s longest fall color seasons

With fall stretching from late September to early November - thanks to Western North Carolina’s deciduous trees, diverse mountain elevations, and the vast Pisgah National Forest - those who seek brilliant fall color can easily find it in McDowell County.

Just in time for vacation planning for a quick weekend getaway or Fall Break family fun, the McDowell County Tourism Development Authority offers Destination McDowell, a new website chock full of inspiring advice and helpful suggestions on planning the perfect fall visit. Previously The Blue Ridge Traveler, Destination McDowell is still the source for Fall Foliage forecasting and travel information regarding peak fall color locations around McDowell County.

Expert predictions for fall foliage in 2024

Each year, scientists, meteorologists, and travel experts make their best attempts to predict when the green leaves will transform into the vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds that illuminate the Blue Ridge Mountains. The timing varies by tree species, influenced by their location, altitude, and most importantly, the weather.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently issued a long-range forecast for the North Carolina mountains, indicating the possibility of above-average temperatures and slightly higher precipitation levels in September and October. But how will this impact the fall foliage?

Fall color experts at Appalachian State University follow and document the fall color season in Western North Carolina. Biology professor Dr. Hayward Neufeld, also known as “Fall Color Guy,” has been tracking patterns for the past 16 years. Regarding the NOAA report, he stated, "Since they are only leaning toward warmer and wetter, I think that bodes well for a good fall color season. What we want to see is temperatures beginning to drop in mid-September through mid-October. If they do, fall colors will be on time (late September). If it is mostly sunny with little rain over this interval, it is likely that the colors will be more vibrant."

While weather patterns are impossible to accurately predict more than eight to 10 days, the NOAA report is based on long range climate data, which provides a little more credibility for this forecast.

Experience it all: from thrills to tranquility, McDowell offers endless Fall color adventures

• Experience the Beauty of Catawba Falls like never before

Reopened! The majestic Catawba Falls at the headwaters of the Catawba River offers one of most thrilling waterfall experiences in the state. The river flows over two major waterfalls, known as the Upper and Lower Falls, with the Lower Falls featuring a 100-foot drop with cascades of water splashing over moss-covered rock outcroppings. The revamped Catawba Falls Trail is now a 3.5-mile hiking loop that meanders through a sun-dappled forest to the falls on a newly constructed staircase designed with safe access up to the Upper Falls. The 540-step staircase has overlooks and benches for stops on the way up to another new structure: a 60-foot observation tower with a spectacular view of the mountains and falls below.

• NEW: Hiking & Biking explorations at The Old Fort Gateway Trails

Six new miles of The Old Fort Gateway Trails are open, and are part of a 42-mile expansion of The Gateway Trails System, and represent some of the most accessible and user-friendly trails in Pisgah National Forest. Once complete, the trails will have a range of difficulty and commitment levels. For this first phase, though, the first six miles are considered the easiest, which is the trail type most scarce in the the mountains of Western North Carolina. The Old Fort Gateway Trails is part of a much larger network of trails being developed across the county.

NEW- Mountain bikers can now hitch a ride: For those who crave the thrill of downhill biking but prefer to skip the strenuous climb, Mountain Top Shuttles offers van shuttles for riders and their bikes from downtown Old Fort to two premier starting points in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

• Linville Gorge: The “Grand Canyon of the East”

Test your limits or just take in the view, the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area is breathtakingly beautiful and rugged. Challenging trails abound, but one of the most spectacular and accessible overlooks of the gorge is found at Wiseman’s View, which is an easy and paved trail with a great view of Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountain.

• Sleep luxuriously under the stars

Glamping stays at the North Cove Leisure Club and Disc Golf Course promise luxurious tent accommodations that blend with the natural surroundings, lit by the stars above. Campsites come with queen-sized beds, string lights and fire pits. This playground for nature lovers includes two challenging state-of-the-art Disc Golf courses located between Linville Gorge and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

• Eclectic mountain towns: your destinations for trail adventures and outdoor fun

Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, McDowell County and its scenic mountain communities of Marion, Old Fort, Little Switzerland, Lake James and Linville Falls each offer a “base camp” destination for planning right-on-your-doorstep adventures amid seasonal fall splendor. The towns are designated NC Trail Towns, and the recently published Outdoor NC Trail Town Guide celebrates towns across the state that are dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of their destination while fostering a strong sense of place. The destinations champion accessible outdoors and responsible recreation to sustain NC’s towns and trails for future generations.

• Fun in, on, by, or near the water: Lake James

Reflections of fall color enhance outdoor experiences at Lake James during the season. Located in McDowell and Burke counties, with access points for boating and fishing, the land surrounding the lake offers 14 trails, totalling 32.6 miles of hiking and 20 miles of biking across Lake James State Park. Bike trails include trails at Paddy’s Creek, kid-friendly Holly Discovery Trail, the historic Overmountain Victory Trail, and the Fonta Flora State Trail. Vacation rental lake homes are available, along with three camping areas offered along the shoreline.

• Cruise around to see waterfowl and wildlife

Hop aboard a luxurious houseboat for a sunset cruise around Lake James offered by Lake James Sunset Cruises. Sail around for fall color views and peeks at wildlife such as eagles, otters, osprey, herron and jumping fish.

• Blueways by the Blue Ridge: The Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail

The Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail is a series of publicly accessible snorkel sites throughout the mountain rivers of North Carolina. The Catawba River at the Marion Greenway in Marion is part of the snorkel trail, with multiple stops along the greenway where you can step in, put on your snorkel, and explore vibrant aquatic life just beneath the surface.

• Scenic drives along “America’s Favorite Drive,” & the Lake James Loop

McDowell County has three access points to the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway - known as “America’s Favorite Drive.” The drive along McDowell’s part of the Parkway winds through the northern edge of the county offering easy access to spectacular views of the Curtis Valley, Crabtree Falls and Linville Falls. As you traverse this section, you’ll pass through Little Switzerland, where elevations soar between 3,200 and 4,000 feet above sea level. The curving roads that wind through Little Switzerland include the thrilling 12-mile DiamondbackNC, famous among motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts for its 190 hairpin curves and switchbacks.

The Lake James Loop is an 86-mile scenic drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains through the Pisgah National Forest, past trails and waterfalls, lakes and overlooks. Plan for 2.5 hours of driving with time to stop and see sights along the way. The drive begins and ends in Little Switzerland.

• Apple picking at a 100 year-old heritage orchard along the Blue Ridge Parkway

A cinematic mountain setting paired with picking heirloom apple varieties makes for a magical evening with live music at The Orchard at Altapass in Spruce Pine. This quintessential fall experience takes place at the Blue Ridge Parkway’s only preservation apple orchard, with some of its trees over 100 years old and still producing. Also available: children’s hay rides through the orchard, a model train display, a pollinator garden, and a general store.

• Old-fashioned fun at the Lucky Strike Gold and Gem Mine

A former commercial mine, Lucky Strike Gold and Gem Mine in Marion is open year -round for old fashioned gold mining. The flume offers gold panning and gem screening, and guests can venture into the streams that run through the mine’s campground. The Lucky Strike House Band plays on Tuesday nights, and The Miner’s Diner serves Bonanza burgers and Klondike dogs. Camping sites are available, and a 2.5-mile hiking trail takes you through the historical gold mines of Vein Mountain and the mines of Rhom Town, and the historical Pea Vine railroad bed.

A Taste of McDowell

Traditional regional cooking blends seamlessly with modern culinary creativity in McDowell County, with a diverse array of fresh, local food and drink to satisfy every palate.

Indulge in mouth-watering cinnamon rolls, beloved barbecue, and fine dining in a historic landmark

• Named for owner Wendy Lewis’ grandmother, GoGo’s Cinnamon Rolls in Old Fort features these tender chewy handcrafted treats, available in two sizes and 12 flavors.
• For traditional barbecue dining with a mountain view, Little Switzerland’s Switzerland Cafe boasts one of the largest wood-fired smokehouses in the state. The applewood-smoked trout and hickory-smoked pork barbecue earned the cafe one of the 15 stops across the state on the Historic Barbecue Trail created by the North Carolina Barbecue Society.
• Blanton House Restaurant & Venue offers elegant dining with a Lowcountry flair on South Main Street in Marion. Serving steaks, seafood, shrimp and grits, this historic landmark was designed by architect Richard Sharp Smith, who supervised the construction of Biltmore House in Asheville in the late 1890s.
• Find regionally roasted coffee, tea, light snacks, music and entertainment at Seeker Coffee in Old Fort.
• McDowell Local on Main Street in Marion serves from-scratch dishes filled with farm-fresh local ingredients created by Aaron Mathews and his family.
• Coming Soon: Golden Hour Charcuterie in Marion’s Depot District is an elegant restaurant and lounge specializing in charcuterie boards filled with cheeses, pates, crackers, bread; a “Build Your Own Board” option, and other small plates to share.

For more dining options in McDowell County, check out Where Eat in the N.C. Mountains on the Destination McDowell website.

Drinks: craft beer, mead, moonshine, and wine

To get the true lay of the land of what’s tasty to drink in McDowell County, jump on The High Spirits Trail which takes you to 11 unique tasting experiences around the county. These brewers, vintners, and distillers use ingredients grown right here in Western North Carolina.

A few on the trail include:

• Mica Town Brewing and The High Dive - Marion and Nebo/Lake James

Marion’s first brewery honoring the heritage of Appalachian mining with beer inspired by the geology and hard-working people of Western North Carolina. The original Mica Town Brewing is located in downton Marion’s 310 District, with a second location in Nebo near Lake James.

• NEW: An “elevated” dive bar called The High Dive is upstairs at Mica Town in Marion and features classic beers, no fuss cocktails and pool-side inspired snacks.
• Hillman Beer’s Old Fort taproom brews a special Old Fort Original gold lager where patrons can enjoy creekside dining and drinking on the deck right next to Mill Creek.
• Keeper’s Cut Meadery: In the historic depot district of Marion, family-owned Keeper’s Cut Meadery serves traditional and flavored mead made from hops cut from the grounds and honey from the family hives. Keeper’s Cut also offers a “Bee to Bottle” tour.
• Cooper Creek Distillery in Marion makes small batch “moonshine” varieties, drawing on old mountain traditions passed down for generations. Handcrafted spirits using heirloom techniques and locally sourced ingredients, Cooper Creek offers a variety of flavors, even perfecting their own brandy.

Music in McDowell

Music lovers will find a variety of live music experiences in McDowell County year-round. Just about any genre can be found - from traditional Appalachian and bluegrass tunes to blues and rock ‘n’ roll.

• The Mountain Gateway Music Jam with Possum Creek happens most Sunday afternoons at Mountain Gateway Museum in downtown Old Fort, from 2 to 4 p.m.
• The Spillway Bridge Co. in downtown Marion features a cozy taproom with live music several evenings each week.
• Music at the Orchard: The Historic Orchard at Altapass in Spruce Pine hosts free live music each weekend through October in a beautiful outdoor pavilion overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• South Creek Vineyards & Winery welcomes local musicians to its Nebo tasting room for its annual Deck Music Series on Saturdays.
• The Box Factory in Marion is the county’s first live music venue big enough for notable indoor concerts. Keep an eye on the calendar for upcoming shows and events.

Vibrant fall festivals, events, and things to do in McDowell County

• Sept. 12-15, 2024: FloatLife Fest - Onewheel enthusiasts gather at Camp Grier for a weekend of racing, group rides, technical riding clinics with pro riders, vendors and prizes.
• Sept. 14, 2024: Culturas Unidas Festival - Held at the Main Street City Stage in Marion, the Culturas Unidas Festival celebrates the area’s vibrant Latino and Hispanic culture. Enjoy music, traditional dancing, cultural presentations, food and vendors from all over McDowell County.
• Oct. 5, 2024: Lake James Dragon Boat Festival - This dragon boat race is a competitive team paddling sport originating from ancient China, where 18-25 participants paddle in unison in a long, narrow boat adorned with a dragon's head and tail, led by a drummer and guided by a steersperson.
• Oct. 12, 2024: 41st Annual Mountain Glory Festival - Held in downtown Marion, the Mountain Glory Festival is a celebration of heritage crafts and makers in McDowell County. Family fun with a children’s play area, quilt show, vendors, food trucks, music and dancing.
• Oct. 19, 2024: Geyser Growl Half Marathon - Presented by Hillman Beer, this race during peak leaf season starts in Black Mountain and ends in the Town of Old Fort, passing historic Andrews Geyser along the way. Racers finish at Hillman Beer Old Fort with hot soup and cold beer.
• Oct. 31, 2024: Old Fort’s Halloween Trick or Treat Party - Expect tons of candy, cider stations, a picture spot, kid and pet costume contests, and a dance party. 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Main Street and Catawba Avenue.
• Nov. 2, 2024: 8th Annual Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) - North Main Street in Marion is the site for this traditional Mexican holiday where cultures come together, celebrating life and the lives of loved ones departed from us. The free event features a live mariachi band, food, crafts, notable dance troupes and ensembles, face painting, alebrijes, which are colorful, three-dimensional Mexican Folk Art of fantastical mythological creatures; a community ofrenda, or offering; and calaveras, the decorative skulls used to celebrate the holiday.

Overnight stays? Book now for Fall!

Visitors have a variety of lodging options in McDowell County including vacation rentals, guest houses and cabins that range from rustic hideaways to waterfront homes or luxury rentals in gated communities. Log homes, B&Bs, campgrounds, locally owned motels and national brand hotels are also available near Interstate 40. Check out this Three-Day Itinerary in McDowell County for inspiration.

Free McDowell County Travel Guide

For more information about McDowell County and things to do while visiting, a free travel guide is available for download at this link.

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About McDowell County, N.C.

McDowell County, N.C., is located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills of Western North Carolina. It is home to an abundance of natural beauty with nearly 200 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, charming small towns, and cultural experiences that celebrate its rich Southern Appalachian history. With easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the graceful bends and turns of the Catawba River, moments of awe and beauty are plentiful throughout the county. More information about McDowell County, N.C., may be found at www.destinationmcdowell.com.