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Quick facts
- Location: Avery County, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge / High Country region.
- Elevation: ~3,895 ft
- Nearby highlights: Grandfather Mountain, Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain, Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Best seasons: Winter for skiing; fall for leaf-peeping; spring & summer for hiking and festivals.
Why visit Banner Elk?
Banner Elk is a small, welcoming mountain town that punches above its size: world-class outdoor access, a notable culinary scene, family-friendly attractions, and seasonal festivals all sit within a short drive of downtown. It’s a convenient base for exploring the High Country and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Attractions & Things to Do
Grandfather Mountain & Mile High Swinging Bridge
Just a short drive from Banner Elk, Grandfather Mountain offers strenuous hikes, wildlife habitats, and the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge with panoramic views of the High Country. Plan for trail conditions and permit rules when hiking state park routes.
GrandFather Mountain is a must-see attraction in the park. It's the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains, standing at 5,946 feet above sea level. Visitors can drive or hike to the summit, where they can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Mile High Swinging Bridge: The Mile High Swinging Bridge is a popular attraction that spans a mile above the GrandFather Mountain. Visitors can walk across the bridge, which offers awe-inspiring views of the peaks, valleys, and clouds.
Winter Sports: Sugar Mountain & Beech Mountain
Banner Elk sits between two of the region’s major ski areas. Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain provide skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and family activities throughout the colder months making Banner Elk a popular winter getaway.
Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster & Family Fun
If you’re traveling with kids (or anyone who likes a thrill), the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster is a unique ride that’s fun in warm months. Nearby family attractions include Tweetsie Railroad and other High Country amusements.
Outdoor Adventure: hiking, waterfalls & scenic drives
From shorter day hikes to demanding mountain trails, the area around Banner Elk connects to excellent routes and scenic drives along the Blue Ridge and the Linn Cove Viaduct. Nearby waterfalls and overlooks make for easy day trips.
The Blue Ridge Parkway offers more than 200 scenic overlooks, 13 visitor centers, and access to countless hiking trails, waterfalls, and cultural sites. These are spots where you can pull-off in your car. Where you can pause the drive and take in sweeping views of valleys, ridgelines, and distant peaks. With more than 200 overlooks along the 469 mile route, each has its own character.
Wildcat Lake
Wildcat Lake is a small but very popular 13-acre lake that has a swimming area with a beach (lifeguards during the summer months only), a fishing dock, and still offers plenty of space for boating.
Tufts Memorial Park
Tufts Memorial Park is close by offering plenty of options for grilling out, having a picnic, or taking the kids outdoors to play and enjoy the fresh air and natural Smokey Mountain beauty.
The High Country Wine Trail
The High Country Wine Trail features five different local wineries and there are a variety of different methods for visiting each. Some you can visit by horseback via guided tours, others provide transportation from one to another, and many of the wineries themselves will have special events and things to do at each location. Many have daily tastings with some even serving as a location for gorgeous outdoor weddings or special celebrations and get-togethers.
High Mountain Expeditions
High Mountain Expeditions is a renowned adventure tourism company that specializes in providing a range of outdoor experiences in the mountains of the Eastern United States. Whether it's white-water rafting, rock climbing, or kayaking, this company offers some of the most exciting and thrilling expeditions.
Lees McRae Summer Theater
Lees McRae Summer Theater offers some outstanding drama and culture in downtown during the summer months. Combining runs of classic plays along with local favorites, there are many amazing shows going on just an easy walk away from some of the best bars and dinner clubs in the downtown area. Who says you can't have the best of small city life and the best of the great outdoors all in one small-town setting.
Seven Devils
Nearby Seven Devils is an amazing place to visit and the true hidden gem of the area that locals adore, as do the friendly visitors social enough to find out about it. Featuring arguably the best zip line in all the regions, there are multiple zip line courses that allow you a wide variety of aerial views of the many truly incredible sights below.
Grandfather's Trout Farm
Grandfather's Trout Farm is a great place with three stocked trout ponds to teach the young ones to fall in love with fishing. The Pedalin' Pig BBQ is just a "can't miss" stop for anyone who appreciates Southern barbecue done right. Those are just a few of the many options that have had some serious staying power, and there are many more to explore and find.
