Page Updated: November 21, 2023
Mount Mitchell State Park
Mount Mitchell - NC
The first state park in North Carolina, Mount Mitchell State Park boasts a peak that reaches 6,684 feet - the highest elevation east of the Mississippi River. On a clear day, visitors to the summit’s observation deck can appreciate 85 mile sweeping vistas of the Appalachian’s Black Mountain range. The Fraser fir forest of the park contains limited backpack walk-in sites and hiking trails of varying difficulty.
We had a gorgeous afternoon in Mount Mitchell State Park! Usually, we’d hike to make this summit. But, Grandfather Mountain was waiting for us the following day, so we opted to save our legs and drive this one. Getting to experience the Blue Ridge Parkway absolutely played a part in our decision.
The Information Center for the park is located at Stepps Gap just inside the park entrance. Interpretive signs give back story on Jesse Stepp, and maps of the park and trails are posted around the building. The adventurous can take the strenuous 2 mile Old Mitchel Trailhead to the summit!
Between Stepps Gap and the summit, is the Mount Mitchell State Park Restaurant. Since we brought a picnic, we skipped it; but details online relay the restaurant includes offerings of hot sandwiches, salads, and entrees like Local Rainbow Trout, BBQ Pork, and Hamburger Steak.
Parking at the top is tight; so, unless you’re early to the game, grab the first spot you see. A picnic area, museum, and gift store wait to great you, as well as a long line of port-a-potties.
The Mount Mitchell Museum near the summit shares exhibits on local wildlife, topography of the Black Mountain Range, and details on the work and death of Elisha Mitchell. The original bronze grave marker for the professor and scientist - who died attempting to prove the mountain was the highest in the eastern United States - was destroyed by high winds in 1888. It’s weathered wooden replacement can be found in the museum.
Just outside the giftshop/museum doors is the Summit Tower trailhead. Roughly 900ft to the peak, the path takes you to the observation deck at the summit. The way is paved and ideal for accessibility.
Jutting off the Summit Trail is the Balsam Nature Trail. A mile long path can be looped back to the summit, or traversed on a 3.3 mile out & back to the Commissary Ridge Backcountry Campsite. We ventured a couple hundred yards. Looks like a beauty to explore at a later date.
-b&b
Blue Ridge Parkway
Museum of North Carolina Minerals
