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Mount Mitchell State Park
Welcome to Mount Mitchell State Park!
At the crest of the rugged Black Mountains rises the highest peak east of the Mississippi River: Mount Mitchell. Created by the state in 1915 to protect the last stands of virgin timber on the mountain, Mount Mitchell State Park encompasses an environment more like that of Canada than the Southeast. Named for the dark spruces and firs that drape the highest mountains, the Black Mountains contain over 20 peaks that surpass 6000'. Although not as long or wide as the nearby Blue Ridge or Great Smoky Mountains ranges, the Black Mountains are indeed the highest and many excellent hiking trails thread the forested slopes. This is your guide to the hiking trails of this treasured state park.
Visitors to the park can enjoy several amenities before and after they hike. Upon entering the park, stop by the park office (shown at right) for information, maps, and restrooms. This is also the starting point for the Camp Alice and Old Mitchell trails. Halfway to the summit is the Park Restaurant (open from May to October), offering great food with a view. Check out the fine selection of Mount Mitchell branded merchandise as well. At the summit parking area is a 40 table picnic area with two picnic shelters. Each table has a grill. Handicapped accessible tables are available as well. Also at the summit is a concession stand offering light snacks, drinks, and souvenirs, and next door is the park's museum. Here you can check out displays of the park's natural and human history, discover some of the geology that went into building the mountain peaks, and view the plant and animal life that lives there. Restrooms are offered at the summit area as well.
The iconic tower atop 6,684' Mount Mitchell has been removed. The tower is being replaced with a 10-foot high circular platform, and the formerly stairstepped trail will be paved, thus making it completely accessible. The summit trail is currently closed as well as portions of the Old Mitchell, Mount Mitchell, and Mountains to Sea trails. You may find pictures of the construction and progress reports on the contractor's web site.
Current view of from Mount Mitchell. Click for larger view on official web site.
You can find a web camera of the current view from near the summit, as well as current weather information. (Official Mount Mitchell State Park Site).
The mountain, park, and nearby waterfall are named for Dr. Elisha Mitchell (1793 - 1857), a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill. He made several trips to the area over his lifetime to measure the mountains using barometric altimeters. Over several subsequent excursions up the mountain, he arrived at a height of 6,672 - a mere 12' shy of the actual elevation! Controversy arose later as to which peak in the range was actually the highest, or whether a peak in the Great Smoky Mountains was higher. Mitchell died after falling from the top of a 20 foot waterfall while descending the mountain through thickets of trees and rhododendron on a later trip to settle the argument. It is settled today: at 6,684', Mount Mitchell is indeed the highest. For further historical information, visit the park museum.
Mount Mitchell Campground
A nine (9) site, tent-only campground is located about 2/3 of the way from the Park Office to the summit. At 6200' elevation, this is the highest campground in Western NC! The campground offers level tent pads, with fire rings, lantern poles and picnic tables at each. There are some shady sites in the firs and a couple of sunny ones where the trees have died. Water is avalable at several spigots around the campground and restrooms with flush toilets are available. Arrive early to get a spot on summer weekends. Simply set up in an unoccupied spot and a ranger will come around to register you in the afternoon or evening. Reservations are not accepted; if the campground is full, overflow camping is usually recommended at the Black Mountain Campground in the Toe River area at bottom of the mountain, connected to the State Park via the Mount Mitchell Trail or by vehicle on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
No backcountry camping is allowed outside the campground; however, there are excellent camping sites on adjoining National Forest lands and trails. Two of the most popular are Comissary Ridge and Deep Gap.
Serendipity Cabin
Sitting under huge oak tree and across from trout stream in Pisgah National Forest, Serendipity Cabin is a fortunate discovery! We're located at the base of Mt. Mitchell and within walking distance to the Mt. Mitchell Crest trailhead. Fish or go tubing in the South Toe River or play a round of golf at the Mt. Mitchell Country Club. Enjoy a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just 10 minutes away. The perfect combination: isolated but not too far from civilization. Amenities include: a wood fireplace, phone, A/c, satellite TV, VCR, stereo, DVD/CD player, full kitchen, microwave, dishwasher, fridge with ice maker, cooking utensils, W/D, BBQ charcoal grill and Internet Access.
http://www.mtmitchell-cabin.com
From Asheville, take I-204 East to US 74-A East to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Exit right; turn right at the end of the ramp and drive North on the Parkway about 30 miles to NC 128 (there is a large sign for the State Park). Follow NC 128 for about 3 miles to the Park entrance; the summit is another 1.2 miles ahead.
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