Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Mount Mitchell State Park adventure.
Sweeping views and challenging hikes define North Carolina’s first state park.
Surrounded by spruce-fir forest, Mount Mitchell’s summit looms 6,684 feet above this North Carolina park, making it the highest point east of the Mississippi. An easy walk to the observation deck lets you take in the views from the top, but the best way to truly appreciate this park is via the extensive hiking trail network. Trails range from short jaunts to the six-mile Mount Mitchell Trail leading to the summit. The nine-site Mount Mitchell Campground is open seasonally, and visitors are also permitted to leave vehicles in the park overnight to backpack into Pisgah National Forest.
Mount Mitchell State Park is open year-round (closed on Christmas Day), and Mount Mitchell Campground is open only from May 1 to October 31. Due to its high elevation, summer temperatures tend to be cooler than in nearby Asheville and the surrounding region, typically in the mid 60s, making it ideal for long hikes. Summer is also a great time to see abundant wildflowers and native birds. Winters are chilly, with temperatures typically in the mid-40s, and often feature high winds and rain, and road closures due to snow and ice.