Welcome to MtMitchell.com

an all-inclusive resource for Mount Mitchell & Mount Mitchell State Park information, media and more!

Mt. Mitchell has become a growing hot spot for tourists in the last few decades, with its beautiful landscapes, extensive hiking trails, and numerous family activities. If you’re looking for something to do in North Carolina and enjoy the great outdoors, then you owe it to yourself to stop by and enjoy this natural wonder. Standing tall at 6,684 feet above the ground, it’s hard to miss, and should be near the top of your to-do list during your time in the Appalachian Mountains!

Below is a short list of things to do at Mount Mitchell, how to get there, and other important information.

What is there to do at Mount Mitchell?

The first and most obvious thing that anyone does with a mountain is climb it! Of course, you may not be up to scaling the whole thing and making it all the way to do the top, but there are dozens of hiking trails that you and your family can venture down, and each provides you with a wonderful view of the landscape and various types of animals that call the mountain home. There are different paths, depending on how much time you’re willing to dedicate to hiking. You can go for a short stroll around the base of the mountain at Mount Mitchell State Park, and get some great photo opportunities with the beautiful trees, plants, and maybe a deer if you’re lucky! Or, if you’d like to spend a good portion of your day on the mountain, then plunge deeper into the woods and discover a world that you don’t see every day: Breathtaking landscapes formed by hills, valleys, waterfalls, and so much more. The trails are easy to follow as you wind your way up the mountain, and it has much more to offer to those who are willing to go further in. You’ll be able to see up to 85 miles around you on a clear day, with the other nearby mountains in view, along with the Pisgah National Forest not too far away. You may even discover the platform where a stone marker signifies the burial place of Dr. Elisha Mitchell, for whom the mountain is named.

After a long day of hiking and exploring, you may want to camp out on the mountain, build a fire and enjoy s’mores before turning in for the night. The nine-site family campground is open all year round (tents only), and each spot is equipped with a working grill and picnic table. You won’t be “roughing it” too hard, with the clean, modern restrooms nearby, which have showers and hot water. The hiking trails aren’t too far from the camp site, so once you enjoy a night under the stars with nature all around you, you can get back into it in the morning.

The exhibit hall is located near the summit of the mountain, and is easily accessed with your vehicle. Wander through the 1,385-square-foot main hall and learn just how Mount Mitchell stacks up against the other mountains nearby! Guests can visit Big Tom’s wooden cabin, too, and learn about his search for the man who first calculated the height of Mt. Mitchell, and after whom the mountain is named.

Visitors can also stop by the Mount Mitchell restaurant, which is only half a mile from the park’s office. From May through October, hungry hikers can grab a bite to eat from the restaurant, then step out on the deck and take in the beautiful sights of the mountain. The restaurant is open all week from 10:00am until an hour before the park closes.