5 Ways to Celebrate Spring ONLY in the NC Mountains
5 Ways to Celebrate Spring in the NC High Country
When spring hits the High Country of North Carolina, everything comes alive! The singing of the birds and croaking of the frogs sound like cheers from nature to get you outside after a long, cold winter. Here are the top 5 must-do activities for spring in the Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Sparta, Sugar Mountain, West Jefferson and Wilkesboro NC area:
ATTEND A SPRING OUTDOOR FESTIVAL
MERLEFEST
April 27- 30 2023, Wilkesboro
One of the largest Americana-roots-based music festivals happens in Wilkesboro, North Carolina every spring. The festivals major headliners this year include The Avett Brothers, Maren Morris and Tanya Tucker to name a few. The event also features arts & crafts vendors, dance competitions and children's activities.Purchase tickets HERE
Looking for something new?
North Carolina’s High Country celebrates the return of spring with festivals around the region! Enjoy the North Carolina mountains fresh air and take in the spring blooms while enjoying live music, art demonstrations and more. Here is a list of when and where to find them:
- May 6: Fried Apple Pie Festival, Sparta
- June 9-11: High Country Jazz Festival, Boone & Blowing Rock
- June 10-11: Avery County Summer Fest, Newland
- June 15-17: Boonerang Music & Arts Festival, Boone
Canoe the New River
West Jefferson and Sparta Area
Canoeing or kayaking the New River is a great way to view birds migrating North in the spring, local wildlife and native spring wildflowers. The New River is the second oldest river in the world and meanders at a slow pace on a well worn path with no major challenges, affording you lots of time to look around.
Rhododendron Gardens
June (call for details on current blooms) 828-264-1299
Enjoy the blooming of the most abundant native flower of the High Country. Here is how:
- Visit the largest natural Rhododendron gardens in the world atop Roan Mountain
- Attend the Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble on Grandfather Mountain May 27-June 3
- A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway will also give you plenty of chances to view and photograph the blooms. For details on the NC High Country section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, click HERE
Take a Hike
NC High Country
Spring is a great time to take a hike. The leaves are coming out just enough to frame your mountain views! Spring is also a great time to see a red sky at night with the silhouette of the mountains in the background. You will also get a chance to see the spring wildflowers budding, the tadpoles swimming and smell the fresh spring air. Find a list of our favorite spring wildflower hiking trails HERE
*Looking for more of a thrill? Try Spring Ziplining
Trout Fishing
NC High Country
April is a prime fishing month in the High Country! The local rivers and streams are stocked in March and open April 2nd, so your chances of a great catch are good in the spring. The NC High Country is home to four of the sixteen Mountain Heritage Trout Water Cities, including Todd, Lansing, Beech Mountain and Wilkesboro.
