Adventure – Blowing Rock, NC

Join the Movement!

Join the Movement Blowing Rock, North Carolina is a proud partner of the Outdoor NC Alliance and we’re thrilled to share our commitment to stewardship of our shared outdoor spaces with you. We have joined the Outdoor NC movement to preserve and protect our cherished outdoor spaces for future generations to enjoy.Our goal is to actively promote stewardship and responsible recreation in the outdoors, which will ensure our state is the world-class destination we know and love, forever. It’s simple, really: a call to action for both residents and visitors to embrace responsible recreation and leave things better than you found them. What is Outdoor NC? Outdoor NC is a movement that is committed to promoting stewardship throughout North Carolina, inspiring everyone to not only experience the outdoors, but embrace and protect it as well. It provides a wide variety of resources which educate outdoor adventurers on how they can recreate responsibly, respectfully, and safely. As an Outdoor NC Alliance partner, we actively encourage everyone to join our collective movement to protect our beloved, shared outdoor spaces. Whether it’s cycling on the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking though some of the most unique mountain ecosystems, birdwatching, or fly fishing for trout in our pristine streams, there are so many outdoor activities to enjoy in our beautiful corner of the Blue Ridge. We welcome you, knowing you share our passion for seeing these special places protected and preserved for current and future generations. Join the Outdoor NC Movement with us and find out what it means to be a good steward of the great outdoors. Click the button below! Learn More About the Outdoor NC Movement Join the Outdoor NC Movement & Enter Sweepstakes Thank you for joining us and Outdoor NC in being good stewards of our environment. Future generations will greatly benefit from your commitment to preserving our natural resources.

What to Pack for a New or Longer Hike

One of Blowing Rock’s most beloved pastimes is hiking in the beautiful surrounding wilderness. When heading out to a short, familiar path, you can often just grab a water bottle and go. But sometimes you may be in the mood for exploring a new trail or taking a longer hike, and it’s always best to be prepared! What do you need for a new or longer hike?

Cross Country Skiing Access

Cross Country Skiing enthusiasts have been coming to the mountains for years to enjoy the snow and hone their skill. The Carriage Trails at Moses Memorial Cone Park in Blowing Rock offer 25 miles of trails that are wide and well maintained year-round.

Romance on the Slopes

What’s more romantic than going on an adventure together? Whether you’re starting out brand new, or are an experienced skier/snowboarder there is nothing quite like the thrill of the slopes. Going out and getting cold while gliding down a slope, coming in and getting warm by a fire. It’s ideal for a couple’s getaway. There is also romantic dining, spa experiences, natural splendor, and more right here in Blowing Rock.

Blowing Rock Voted a Top Adventure Town by Blue Ridge Outdoors Readers

Over 24,000 votes poured in to Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine’s thirteenth annual Top Adventure Towns contest, presented by LOWA. From 100 adventure hubs across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, readers narrowed down nominees in four different categories: tiny town (population less than 3,000), small town (population 3,001-16,000), mid-sized town (population 16,001-75,000), and large town (population 75,001+). This year, readers selected Blowing Rock, N.C. (tiny town), Bedford, Va. (small town), Boone, N.C. (mid-sized town), and Roanoke, Va. (large town), as their favorites. All four will be featured in Blue Ridge Outdoors’ adventure towns coverage in the magazine’s November issue, hitting stands now. “Blowing Rock is pleased to be recognized as a top adventure destination,” says Tracy Brown, Executive Director of the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority. “Our local adventure experience is second to none, with unique landscapes and incredible recreation providers. The fact that our neighbor Boone was also selected as a favorite really highlights the experience this region can offer to adventure enthusiasts.” All 100 towns in the contest received tremendous support from readers across the region. The field was stacked with well-known outdoor hubs, from tiny towns to major metropolises, featuring a mix of mountain biking meccas, whitewater oases, climbing paradises, and hiking nirvanas. The runners-up ineach category in 2023 were Damascus, Va., and Floyd, Va. (tiny town), Abingdon, Va., and Lexington, Va. (small town), Charlottesville, Va., and Bristol, Tenn. (mid-sized town), and Asheville, N.C., and Lynchburg, Va. (large town). “As we navigate a post-pandemic world, we are thrilled by the enduring fascination with the outdoors and our readers’ rekindled passion for adventure,” says Leah Woody, Publisher of Blue Ridge Outdoors. “Join us in celebrating this renewal of spirit through the Top Adventure Towns contest, where we shine a spotlight on the rich variety of outdoor destinations across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Together, let’s inspire travelers from all walks of life to experience the incredible beauty of our region and the vibrant communities that call it home.” For more information, contact Blue Ridge Outdoors, associate publisher Katie Hartwell at [email protected] / 434-825-5823 or editor Jedd Ferris at [email protected].

Fun for Pre-Teens & Teens

Blowing Rock is full of family fun! Find plenty of entertainment for pre-teens and teenagers, too! See the list below for some great activities to enjoy with your pre-teens and teens.

Fishing Near Blowing Rock

The High Country’s beautiful streams, lakes, and rivers provide wildlife sanctuaries and many recreational opportunities- like fishing! The best times of year to fish for trout here in in the High Country are the spring, fall, and winter months, when the water temperature is between 45° and 65°. Our waters offer excellent opportunities for catching brown, brook, and rainbow trout.

Adventure is the New Romance

Who says romance has to be candlelit dinners and spa treatments? Not us! Relationship experts say that trying new and exhilarating things together can increase your feelings of romantic love for one another.

About 2023 NC Year of the Trail

2023 NC Year of the Trail focuses on and celebrates North Carolina’s vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways. North Carolina is The Great Trails State with a trail for everyone. These trails offer both residents and visitors places of refuge, recreation, and a connection to the state itself. So, walk, pedal, paddle, or saddle up and ride one of North Carolina’s many trails in 2023 to celebrate NC’s Year of the Trail.

High Country Snow Sports

Did you know there are three ski resorts in the High Country? And a snow tubing park! All season long, they supplement natural snowfall and maintain awesome conditions for your enjoyment. The snow sports season generally runs through Mid- March. When there’s a natural snowfall, Blowing Rock is an excellent location for snow shoeing and cross country skiing.

Category: Adventure