With spring just waiting around the proverbial corner, one great way to celebrate its arrival is by making a pilgrimage to the many must-see national park sites around Asheville, NC. These scenic and majestic places are all located within a short drive of our cozy mountain lodge, including the better known Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway
Believe it or not, the 469 mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway is a designated National “Parkway”. There are just 4 national parkways in the National Park System (NPS), and we’ve got the best one right here! The Blue Ridge Parkway borders both the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Park, spanning Virginia and North Carolina, and is a trail way to discovering Appalachian culture and history.
Carl Sandberg National Historic Site
Down the road apiece in Flat Rock is the Carl Sandberg National Historic Site, formerly the home of the Pulitzer-Prize winning poet, writer, and biographer. The park was authorized on October 17, 1968, and opened in 1974. In addition to Sandberg’s home, there are 264 acres of pastures, ponds, and hiking trails, and many additional structures including the goat barn and Museum Preservation Center.
Pisgah National Forest
Half a million acres of some of the most gorgeous mountain scenery awaits you at Pisgah National Forest, which blankets the Asheville perimeter. Originally part of the Biltmore Estate, Pisgah National Forest was established October 7, 1916, and also established the first school of forestry in the United States. Hiking enthusiasts enjoy hundreds of miles of trails leading to whitewater rivers, waterfalls and countless exploration opportunities.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, or “AT” as it’s affectionately known locally, is 2,174 miles long and spans 14 states from Maine through Georgia, and was completed in 1937. Experienced hikers annually hike the entire trail, but there are many options for day, weekend and short-term hikes near Asheville including Roan Mountain, Hot Springs and Fontana Dam.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park evolved from an “idea” in the late 1800’s to a multi-year work in progress by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. The Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, was a creation of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal as a response to the Great Depression, and provided jobs to unemployed young men. President Roosevelt dedicated the park in 1940, and it’s one of the very few national parks with no entrance fee thanks to a deed restriction established by the state of Tennessee when the park was originally established.
Lodging Near Asheville’s National Park Sites
To celebrate the arrival of spring, we invite you to stay 7 nights with us – and you’ll only pay for 6 nights! This offer is valid through April 30, 2021. Call 828-683-2525 for more info and to make your reservations! We also have ongoing specials and packages to use throughout the rest of the year.
At Wildberry Lodge, we treat you like a national treasure. Book your stay at our “luxuriously rustic” vacation getaway in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains and get ready for a vacation like no other. We’re open-come share some crisp mountain air with us! Book online or call us at 828-683-2525.
