Yancey County, North Carolina - 2003 Community Guide

A sightseer’s paradise, Yancey County is filled with indescribable landscapes adorned by magnificent natural wonders. The area’s beautiful mountains and temperate climate entice an increasing number of tourists each year. In the spring, pink and purple rhododendron, azalea, and laurel paint the mountains’ landscapes. In the fall, trees burst into brilliant shades of scarlet, orange and yellow, interspersed with pristine evergreen pines.

Many Yancey County visitors make the trip to the monumental observation tower atop 6,684-foot Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Summit visitors can see a distance of 100 miles over seven states from the 43-foot observation deck.

Mount Mitchell State Park was established in 1915 and encompasses 1,677 acres of the Appalachian region in Yancey County. The aromatic spruce and balsam firs of the Pisgah National Forest enhance the spectacular scenery.

Visitors can relax at the gracious mountaintop restaurant or discover more about Dr. Elisha Mitchell at the mountain museum. The esteemed Presbyterian minister, professor and scientist at the University of North Carolina fell to his death during an 1857 expedition intended to confirm the mountain’s height. In 1882, the U.S. Geological Survey verified the professor’s original claim, and the mountain became Mount Mitchell.

Not to be outdone, nearby Celo Knob boasts the second-highest peak in the eastern United States, with an altitude of 6,200 feet. All combined, a dozen peaks in the Black Mountain Range top 6,000 feet.

Farther north along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain is recognized for its larger-than-life silhouette of an old man resting comfortably on his back. The weathered mountain reaches 5,964 feet.

As part of the million-year-old Appalachians, Grandfather Mountain may be the oldest mountain in the U.S.

The Orchard at Altapass is another popular attraction along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Guests can tour the historic 1908 orchard, collect mouth-watering apples and peaches, listen to folklore and questionable tall tales, sing along with local musicians, and enjoy weekly old-fashioned hay rides. The Orchard also supports a monarch butterfly garden and preservation project.

Emerald Village is another treasured display along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The center helps preserve the local mining heritage with old-time family entertainment, including an authentic mine tour, a mineral gallery, historical exhibits and a fresh-water flume designed specifically for tourists searching for rubies, emeralds and other gemstones.

The scenic drives around Yancey County’s Hwy 80 are very popular tourist attractions. A drive from the South Toe River Valley to the Blue Ridge Parkway will take you through breathtaking scenic landscapes. A trip along old 19W to the Bee Log-Higgins area will allow you to see the impressive swinging bridges that are unique to the area. The Chamber of Commerce offers a helpful guide that lists many of the area’s scenic back roads.

During your stay in Yancey County, you will be pleased to find a varied range of engaging and enchanting accommodations. Cozy bed and breakfast inns, rustic guesthouses and cabins, comfortable motels, and resorts invite travelers to explore the hidden treasures of the rustic county.

Warm and welcoming bed and breakfasts in the area offer visitors a homelike stay in historic surroundings. Beautifully restored and maintained homes filled with antiques are a great way to experience the best of Southern hospitality. Landscaped gardens offer a lovely setting for weddings or gatherings at many of these inns. You can also enjoy the delicious home cooking that the South is famous for.

For visitors looking to stay closer to nature, a cabin nestled in the mountains is an ideal choice. Travelers can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains in cabins with all the comforts of home or just the rustic bare necessities. Both weekly and weekend rates are available. Or if you’d rather pitch your own tent under the stars, there are plenty of campgrounds with a wide range of amenities waiting to welcome you.

When you’re ready to pamper yourself for a weekend or more, Yancey County resorts are waiting. Facilities that specialize in everything from a luxurious spa experience, to the best in golfing, to a real, working ranch setting are all here for you to explore.

From modern accommodations to a sleeping bag under a summer sky, you can find it all in Yancey County. We’re waiting to welcome you!