Round Bald — Local services in North Carolina

Wow, this was our highlight of our visit to the NC/TN mountains and our new favorite spot in the area. As soon as we got out of the car each occupant exclaimed "the air!" because it was cool, breezy, less humid abd amazingly pleasant in the middle of July. The hike up to Round Bald from Carver's Gap is a must, because of the stunning 360 degree views and ease of hike. I would estimate the hike up to Round Bald as less than a mile from the road/parking lot, with only about 300 feet in vertical climb. It is a gentle and well-maintained path, with part of it shaded in a grove of trees, and is not as far as Grassy Ridge Bald. Park right at Carver's Gap (either in the parking lot which has a toilet, or in the gravel along the road). Then cross the main road to the trail entrance and walk on up. You will be wonderfully rewarded. Being on top of the world at 5800 feet with unobstructed 360 degree views is wonderful. Afterwards you can drive up to the rhododendron gardens (which bloom during only part of the year), where there is additional parking, picnic tables, and running-water restrooms, but requires a $3 day use fee . The Roan Mountain State Park down in the valley is a well-built and large park, stop by the visitor's center with the gristmill and take a look at...

Round Bald is part of the Roan Mountain Massif and is one of the most awesome places in the Southern Appalachians. During certain times of the year it sees a lot of foot traffic and the parking area can get full really quickly, but aside from that the views are spectacular. The Appalachian Trail traverses the balds and takes you through a mixture of spruce-fir forest and high elevation grassy balds that are interspersed with Catawba rhododendron. The balds are popular for overnight camping if you like roughing it and don’t mind pack it in/pack it out style camping. A word of warning: weather can change quickly on the Roan so hikers and campers should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions. Thunderstorms can blow up in the summer and the balds are very exposed to the elements. In the winter, blizzard conditions can arise and it gets really cold up there when the wind is blowing, so dress for the conditions and be prepared for whatever nature might throw at you up there. Awesome,...

Awesome place to hike to. I visited on a perfect day with my wife and 3 young kids ages 5, 8, and 10. Only one is an avid hiker and my youngest can be very difficult. Got up to carvers gap around 230pm and had no problem finding a parking spot. Drive up was scenic and fun by itself. Hike up to the bald from parking is only about a mile. You go through some tres and then emerge, giving you a 360 degree view from the...