Mount Mitchell State Park — Attraction in Burnsville

We spent the whole day! It's on top of the world. We checked out the Mitchell Observatory and took Black Mountains Crest Trail all the way out to Deep Gap. Then of coarse back. The Weather Man said "all clear, no rain". We hit rain twice. It came and went fast and from and to nowhere. We always have our rain gear so no problems. I'm just mentioning so you come prepared or so you pick a better weather man. Mt. Mitchell is great. It has the maps with the peak labels all around. Amazing views! The trees have grown up on one side kinda blocking some views but that's nature. The trees probably weren't thinking of us and our views of hills miles away. While they were weathering high winds, reaching for light. They need to get they're priorities straight. Anyways it's up a pretty steep paved ramp. Not to long but long enough to feel it and get winded. There is the grave of the man the peak is named after at the foot of the Observatory. The trail starts out kinda manicured with steep stone steps down. After about a quarter to half mile it gets a little less manicured. The whole trail looked carpeted green. It was growing all over everything. We saw lots of trees down all laying the same direction from the killer storms of wind that must pelt this monster constantly. There is lots of rock scrambling and it's "HARD" rating on Alltrails is accurate. That's what we are looking for. If you aren't then I suggest you don't go past Big Tom Peak. It's the best views from all the peaks IMO besides Mitchell. The trail only gets harder and more technical after. After Big Tom there are ropes with knots in two separate slippery rock slopes. They actually aren't way more steep than other parts of the trail but they are wet. So you can go down with out the ropes if you want to. You may go down faster than expected!!! Disclaimer: the ropes are wet. It did rain earlier that day but I think it's just a wet area. When you squeeze the rope small amounts of water ring through your fingers. I took my gloves off. It's up to you. The trail is always up or down pretty steep and is covered in needles. It looks like Christmas tree needles everywhere. I've done leave covered but needles can prove a different type of slippery so be careful. On the way back just after Big Tom on the right is a small trail. Looks like an animal trail. It leads to an airplane crash reckage site. It went down in 2014. Sad. We loved this Park and the trail is hard but fun. We recommend you...

Gotta say--this hike was definitely not a favorite of mine, although I would come back and give it another go.

To do the full hike starting at the lowest point, you have to put "Black Mountain Campground" into your GPS because the State Park & peak is about a 30 minute drive away from it.

Not only does this hike include trekking 11 miles round trip (for typically 7+ hours) on rugged terrain with a punishing elevation gain--but the weather can change in an instant, the forest is very dense & there are places along the trail where it was so dark/overcast that it felt like dusk. Also, there has recently been a lot of bear activity & sightings along the trail--so be advised and be sure you're comfortable with bear safety.

You'll also want to pack enough water and nutrition to fuel you on your hike as well as a rain jacket/extra layers for temperature & weather changes.

Finally, keep in mind if you are hiking from the base, you will likely go long bouts without seeing other hikers, and I had no signal on my phone, so letting someone know ahead of time about your route is not a bad idea.

I made it about 2 miles up before I decided to turn back and drive to the top. Another hiker said a mama bear was on the trail ahead, and given that it had started to rain and it was kind of dark too, I decided it simply wasn't worth it or all that enjoyable to keep going.

So I drove to the top of the mountain & did the quarter mile hike up to the peak. Honestly, the view was a bit less impressive than I had imagined or seen at other hikes, but that could be because it was overcast, (which I'm told is common there).

There is a little shop at the top as well as a museum, and place to buy coffee & hot chocolate, although the restaurant was closed. There are also several picnic areas with grills, etc.

All in all, there is a lot of promise for this hike-- I likely just chose a less than perfect day to visit.

UPDATE: I just did the Deep Gap Trail on 7/4/24, and I loved it! Fun, challenging hike with lots of scrambles and I even managed to catch some great views! I'm told the weather up there can often be cloudy and finicky so I lucked out...

Mount Mitchell State Park is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering breathtaking views, unique ecosystems and diverse hiking trails. Located in North Carolina, it's the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, standing at 6,684 feet.

Park Overview

Location: Between Blue Ridge Parkway Mileposts 355 and 356, accessible via Road 128 Hours: Open year-round, 7 am to 9 pm, with no admission fee Amenities: Observation deck, museum, gift shop, concession stand, restrooms, picnic area and campground

Hiking Trails

Balsam Nature Trail: A 0.7-mile moderate loop, perfect for nature lovers and families Mount Mitchell Trail: A 5.6-mile strenuous hike to the summit, with stunning views Camp Alice Trail: A 0.5-mile strenuous hike with scenic views Old Mitchell Trail: A 2-mile moderate hike with historic significance

Things to Keep in Mind

Weather: Cooler temperatures, wind and potential ice require proper preparation Elevation: Thin air may cause breathing difficulties; pace yourself Wildlife: Be aware of black bears, bobcats and other wildlife

Reviews and Ratings

Visitors praise the park's unique ecosystem, scenic views and varied hiking trails. Some reviewers found certain trails challenging due to erosion and steep sections.

Getting There

From Asheville: 29 miles, 50-minute drive via Blue Ridge Parkway Parking: Three parking lots available, including one near the summit

For more information and to plan your visit, consider exploring the park's official website or contacting the park...