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Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, & Sugar Mountain Area

About Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, & Sugar Mountain Area

Banner Elk is located in the northwest quadrant of Avery County in the Appalachian Highlands 3,701 feet above sea level. Home to Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk features a lively arts and crafts cultural scene, complete with an intimate pedestrian shopping district. Banner Elk’s food scene has earned it the title “Culinary Hot Spot of the NC High Country.” Several top-notch restaurants are within walking distance of the town’s lone stoplight, including Artisanal, twice ranked in the Top 100 in the U.S. by OpenTable.com.

Summer visitors enjoy cool temperatures and outdoor activities. Banner Elk is home to Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, NC’s first alpine coaster, while waterfalls, hiking trails and Grandfather Mountain are within 20 minutes of town. Fall foliage season is popular in Banner Elk, especially the third weekend of October, when the famous Wooly Worm Festival draws over 20,000 visitors to celebrate this furry little critter long considered a forecaster of winter weather. In winter, Banner Elk is situated within five miles of North Carolina’s two largest ski resorts on Sugar and Beech mountains.

Beech Mountain is Eastern America’s highest town (elevation 5,506) with well-maintained hiking trails and bike routes made famous by Lance Armstrong, alongside premier skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and ice skating. Popular events include the Mile High Kite Festival in September, and the Autumn of Oz Celebration in October. The high temperature has exceeded 72 degrees only a handful of times since an official weather service reporting station was established in 1992.

In and around the Village of Sugar Mountain you will find a Frank Duane designed 18-hole public golf course, Har-Tru clay tennis courts, miles of trails to hike and bike, outdoor adventure outfitters, shopping, restaurants, and a range of cozy lodging options. In the winter, grab your skis and snowboard and enjoy North Carolina’s largest ski area. Local festivals include Oktoberfest in the fall and SugarFest in December.

Area Visitor Centers

Overhead view of Banner Elk, NC

Lodging, Dining, & Things to Do

Mast General Store

Stories from Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, & Sugar Mountain Area

Brightly colored hot air balloons lift off from the ground in Rockbridge County, Virginia
Spring 2022 Events in the Blue Ridge
March 16, 2022
Arts & Culture, Wine Lovers, Craft Beer, Train Enthusiasts, Family-friendly, Fishing, Hiking Trails, Home & Garden, Live Music, Local Food, Nature & Outdoors
The trees are budding, the sun is shining, rain is falling (plus a few snowflakes, too!), and spring ephemerals are starting to peek out on the forest floor. It is spring in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Some sections of the Parkway may still be closed due to winter weather at high elevations, but check out all these amazing spring activities that you can enjoy without needing to access the Parkway!
Multicolored fireworks light up the night sky in Gatlinburg, TN.
Ring in a Blue Ridge New Year
December 28, 2021
Seasonal, Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Local Food, Luxury, Arts & Culture
Visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway for the holidays (or lucky enough to be a local) and looking for unique ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve? We’ve got your guide for seeing in the New Year at one of these celebrations in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Winter lights in the shape of quilt squares are brightly lit at night at the North Carolina Arboretum.
Celebrate Winter in the Blue Ridge Mountains
November 18, 2021
Family-friendly, Seasonal, Skiing, Arts & Culture
Spending the holidays in the Blue Ridge Mountains brings to mind cozy fireside nights under homespun quilts, a brisk family outing to find the perfect Christmas tree on a local farm, and the very the best slopes for skiing and sledding. We've rounded up all this and more in our guide to festive winter fun in the communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
A bird's eye view of Skyline drive through the colorful autumn forest of Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.
Finding Fall Color along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Beyond
August 23, 2021
Autumn Foliage, Farms & Agriculture, Seasonal
When will the Parkway's leaves change to their wardrobe of fall colors? Read on for travel tips to aid in planning your fall trip to the Blue Ridge region.
Joyful children stand at the top of a sledding hill with their sleds.
7 Ways to Enjoy the Parkway’s Wide Open Spaces (Even when the road is closed)
December 31, 2020
Biking, Hiking Trails, Stargazing, Waterfalls, Fishing, Winter Sports, Motorcycle Route
When high elevation nighttime temperatures dip below freezing, sections of the Parkway may be closed due to ice and snow. The roadway is not plowed or salted so closed areas become wonderful winter playgrounds for pedestrians, cyclists, skiers and snowshoers alike.
A purple women's sweater hangs over a black shirt and necklace in a store.
Tis the Season to Shop Online
December 4, 2020
Online Store, General & Country Stores, Apparel, Gems & Minerals, Home & Garden, Local Food
Many of the businesses along the Blue Ridge Parkway remain open year-round and offer such eclectic merchandise that you can shop for everyone on your holiday gift list from the comfort of your home and have the gifts delivered to your door or directly to the recipient.
A breakfast cookbook sits behind a plate of fruit, waffles, omelet and bacon with a glass of orange juice and a pitcher of syrup.
Romantic Getaways Across the Blue Ridge Parkway and Beyond
November 16, 2020
Romantic Getaway, Nature & Outdoors, In Town, Road Trip, Complimentary Breakfast
Even while staying at home we still seem to be busy. Maybe this season you'll want to slow down and make time to take a getaway with your significant other. Regardless of when you choose to enjoy a romantic getaway along the Blue Ridge Parkway, we have some options and ideas for you to consider.