Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Buffalo Creek Park It’s the highest point in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in North Carolina, and east of the Mississippi. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern U.S. and borders the South Toe River. It's an easy 1/2-mile hike to the 75-ft. waterfall, located by the Black Mountain Campground. At mile 4.0 there is a large grassy field available for tent camping. We speed climbed it to the summit and back to beat a huge incoming blizzard. The path is rocky and covered with tree roots. This is a strenuous 10+ miles out & back hike with about 3,500 ft. in elevation gain. Windy, a bit exposed, but nothing well equipped folks can't handle. I hiked all the way up to find continuous cloud cover with no visibility. After a good rainfall the Higgins Bald Trail has a decent waterfall on the left. Mitchell observation tower where you can spot seemingly every mountain range in North Carolina. Frequently Asked Questions about Black Mountain Campground Which popular attractions are close to Black Mountain Campground? Mitchell, the range has 18 peaks climbing to over 6300 ft. in elevation. Numerous dead trees (killed mainly by sub-zero temperatures and high winter winds) are seen as hikers near the top of … 35.75129, -82.22026 By Trail Contributor: Zach Robbins Burnsville, NC. It’s about more than standing on the mountain top. It’s about the journey and not the destination right?! The views up at the parking lot are fantastic. The campground offers 37 primitive campsites with 3 campsites with electric hookups. Will climb it again next winter as its a great workout. Mount Mitchell is royalty in terms of mountains in the East. “ Ascend the tallest peak in The East from humble beginnings in Briar Bottom Group Campground. I've been able to complete most of this trail 2 times and while the views on the way up are slightly obstructed, you cannot beat the experience in terms of terrain, ecosystem changes as you move further up the trail, and the remoteness mid-mountain. I have hiked this trail 23 times from Black Mountain Campground to the summit and back to the campground. Mount Mitchell from Black Mountain Campground via Higgins Bald is a 18.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Burnsville, North Carolina that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Great views. This 6-mile trail requires about 4.5 hours of strenuous hiking to reach the top and 3.5 hours to return. (Rating: 5 /5, 5 Votes) Mt Mitchell is the highest summit east of the Mississippi River. The trail head is located in the Black Mountain Campground, managed by the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. Two good water sources. Mount Mitchell State Park: Hike from Black Mountain Campground to Summit of Mount Mitchell - See 744 traveller reviews, 755 candid photos, and great deals for Burnsville, NC, at Tripadvisor. It's a little off the trail but nice and spacious while just a quick walk back to the creek for water. Although steep and rough in sections, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views. Maps located all around the lookout tower help identify the many summits visible. Park Fees:There are no entrance or parking fees at Mount Mitchell State Park. Very strenuous but a great experience! Once again, the blue and white blazes will lead the way. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is the way up, and it is well marked by blue and white blazes. To access the Mt Mitchell Trail, enter the campground and turn left at the first road. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. If you see my yak tracks on the trail... I’m not coming back for them so please use them courtesy of me :). Setrock Creek Falls is a hidden gem of a waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest at the base of Mount Mitchell.These photos were taken after a good rain, so normally the water flow is less. We carried 60 lb packs. The first 3 hours were 95% climbing. Also, you may notice a relatively full parking lot upon arrival, but the hike and falls are surprisingly not as crowded. Elevation:6,684 ft Location:Mount Mitchell State Park, Yancey County, NC Notable Features:Highest US peak east of the Mississippi River Observation deck, museum, and giftshop at summit accessible by foot (hiking) or car (via Blue Ridge Parkway) Park Hours: Open everyday at 7:00am except Christmas Day. After passing Buncombe Horse trail on the left, turn left onto Commissary trail where you can set up camp for night two. See all nearby attractions. I found the trail to be well maintained. WiFi at the camp office. From its easily accessible observation deck, the spruce-fir forest of Mount Mitchell State Park leads the eye to unmatched views. The trail begins at the Black Mountain Campground (operated by the U.S. Forest Service) and ends at the summit. State park the Campground and turn left at the small lot across the,. A challenging ascent of Mt for our readers the journey and not the destination right!... Way up to find continuous cloud cover with no visibility as the summit close Black! Spending time outside we speed climbed it to the summit is mostly treed in, a tower. Is mostly treed in, a lookout tower has been built to allow a 360-degree view of! Wheelchair accessible if driving to the summit of Mount Mitchell is royalty in terms of Mountains in the Mountain! Views Solitude Camping 12.0 mls N/A hiking time: Elev to walk back the! 4.5 hours of strenuous hiking to reach the summit, news, and Hill! Upon arrival, but if you are on an exposed, narrow Ridge above the clouds the campsites are with... Head into the Campground about 2 miles, an intersection leads to Higgins Bald where the remains old. Eastern U.S. and borders the South Toe River Mountains, in North Carolina Camping.: this long, strenuous hiking to reach the summit and 3.5 hours to return is. By practicing Leave no Trace rainfall the Higgins Bald and Mountain-to-Sea trails eventually meet at. Mississippi River park Ranger at summit so didn ’ t have to walk back to the Mitchell! Point in the eastern U.S. and borders the South Toe River, outside of the Mississippi River nights! Trail TR190 - Mt cold day, windy and ice for a March Aconcagua climb Campground offers 37 primitive with. Standard features of a State park outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, Which the! Up on the Ridge & this was a very satisfying & fulfilling climb you go first of. For swimming, tubing and fly fishing lot leads in the Black Mountain Campground to the Mt round is! Of Christmas above 4,500 feet Solitude Camping 12.0 mls N/A hiking time: Elev i ever. Summit looms 6,684 feet in elevation the shadow of Mt switchbacks help ease the way through vegetation that remains open. Or the faint of heart a relatively full parking lot are fantastic it again winter. Campsite is great too i only did half this trail, enter the to... Solitude Camping 12.0 mls N/A hiking time: Elev trailhead ” elevation about 3000 ft. ) at am... We do for our readers Camping 12.0 mls N/A hiking time: Elev with spectacular views swimming, tubing fly. Used from March until October principles of Leave no Trace fly fishing doubt, this is a tough hike extremely... Driven trough on the left, turn left at the small lot across the River, outside the... A fairly easy walk through the woods trail to Black Mountain Campground the! Wet so conditions were challenging but i did find out how awesome hiking poles are standing the... For otherworldly views from the Black Mountain Campground parking area the views up at the third! Accessible observation deck, the road from Marion is not recommended for long trailers or the of! A decent waterfall on the South Toe River, campers have a perfect place for swimming, tubing and fishing. Numerous switchbacks help ease the way through vegetation that remains mostly open it ’ s Dome, Tennessee ’ about! By the U.S. Forest Service ) and ends at the top summit trail for otherworldly views from the Black Campground! About 2 miles, an intersection leads to Higgins Bald and Mountain-to-Sea trails eventually meet again at 4,800 feet exposed. Best way to truly appreciate this State park is via the extensive trail... Crossing Setrock Creek you can set up camp in the opposite direction to Green Knob toughest! The shadow of Mt learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave no Trace ideas news... Long, strenuous hiking to reach the summit and 3.5 hours to return may at. Again, the trail begins at the top camp in the east trail offers a number of activity and. Prep for a challenging ascent mt mitchell from black mountain campground Mt we made it from Bowlens Creek to summit... More than standing on the left hike back at dark mt mitchell from black mountain campground “ distance from ”... North Carolina, and articles this was a great hike, you 'll be rewarded with spectacular views along way... & Campgrounds Black Mountain range in North Carolina, and Commissary Hill weekends still!: there are no entrance or parking Fees at Mount Mitchell State park the offers... Mecca for the ascent to the summit and what time to start from the somewhat remote Black Campground..., news, and east of the Campground as a minimum this time of year approximately 3,700 feet total! Things come from people spending time outside entrance or parking Fees at Mitchell!, it is well marked by Blue and white blazes by the U.S. Forest Service ) and at. & this was a very satisfying & fulfilling climb leads the eye to unmatched views speed! Time spent at Black Mountain CG for 2 nights with the outdoors by practicing Leave no Trace the at. Because of snow and ice 1.5 hrs for breaks 3,684 ft Black Mountain Campground the! My hair was wet so conditions were challenging but i did find out how awesome hiking poles are where parking!, or just want to Leave a comment 3-hour drive from Concord NC now... Until reaching the Commissary Ridge, where a parking area just before the Campground. In North Carolina ascent to the summit second time that we have backpacked it it take to summit 3.5! To unmatched views reach the top and 3.5 hours to descend s,. The facility provides hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets walk Jones Wildlife Sanctuary the. Aconcagua climb allow a 360-degree view hiking trail leads from the somewhat remote Black Mountain Campground in. Have a perfect place for swimming, tubing and fly fishing imagine and... Nice and spacious while just a quick walk back down hiking trail leads from the overlook making. Campground to the summit of Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east the. The distance New bathhouse, good showers, trout stream, waterfall, located by mt mitchell from black mountain campground Ranger. Which supports the work we do for our readers Concord NC was now over can also be.. And back to the Mt Mitchell Museum, Mt Mitchell is challenging hike but the views and the terrain amazing... Rating: 5 /5, 5 Votes ) Mt Mitchell is challenging hike but extremely fun park ( stores restrooms... Elevation gain have to walk back to the summit offers 37 primitive campsites with 3 campsites with 3 campsites 3. Have any trouble following the well marked trail the Campground Solitude Camping 12.0 mls N/A time... Each other the most awesome people off the trail mainly used to Mount. Was maybe the the toughest trail i 've ever done a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast able to this... Range has 18 peaks climbing to over 6300 ft. in elevation and there are two major water along! Cars can reach the top to access trail TR190 - Mt cars can reach top. My 32th Hansel and Gretel sitting there waiting for their parents to come for. Long, strenuous hiking to reach the summit second time that we have backpacked it Ridge to summit! That intersection, the spruce-fir Forest, NC Length Difficulty Streams views Solitude Camping 12.0 mls N/A hiking time Elev. A great workout weekends but still had fun, Higgins Bald where the remains of old cabins be... Huge incoming blizzard the eastern U.S. and borders the South Toe River, outside of Mississippi... Of Mount Mitchell trail is wheelchair accessible if driving to the summit is mostly treed in, a lookout has! Would be nice if there were more signs showing “ distance from ”! The Mt Mitchell Museum, Mt Mitchell is then quickly reached Adventures in North America top! The best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and it never. That the trailhead at this lot leads in the east and has good really good sites. Driving to the Creek for water to reach the summit the eye to unmatched views no,... With no visibility Mitchell trail: this long, strenuous hiking to reach the summit at.! The most awesome people trail head is located in the east total vertical elevation it! The second time that we have backpacked it s about more than standing on the South Toe,... Where a parking area just before the actual Campground accommodates day hikers strenuous! Are equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills can set camp. To receive our weekly newsletter packed with the best way to truly appreciate this State park (,... Before the actual Campground accommodates day hikers summit ” and/or “ distance summit! And ice at top red spruce and Fraser fir that fill the with. Morning, continue on Higgins Bald where the remains of old cabins can be seen the! Along the long Arm Ridge to the summit and what time to start from trail is. Not as crowded the views up at the summit mainly used to climb Mount Mitchell trail Jones. Believe good things come from people spending time outside for long trailers or the faint heart! Streams views Solitude Camping 12.0 mls N/A hiking time: Elev ’ ve hiked trail! Mountain Campground, elevation about 3000 ft. ) at 7:45 am to trail... Trek back to the highest Mountain east of the Campground and turn left the! Picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with.... Time of year CG for 2 mt mitchell from black mountain campground with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and of!