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(Photo: Beech Mountain Resort via Instagram | @beechmtn)
Beech Mountain is literally the coolest town in North Carolina. At an elevation of 5,506 feet, it's the highest town in the eastern USA. Winters bring a winterland for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding, and then in late spring the slopes transform to downhill mountain biking trails with lift access. A scenic lift ride can take you up to the mountaintop 5,506′ Skybar or down to the 18-hole disc golf course as you descend. In the fall, brilliant colors extend for miles, for weeks on end. It's pretty heavenly!
Summer events include Mile High Yoga, July 4th festivities and fireworks, and their outdoor concert series. In the center of town you can find a variety of restaurants and the beloved Fred's General Mercantile.
Late Spring and Summer
Since temperatures seldom top 80 degrees (about 15 degrees cooler than the city of Asheville), Beech Mountain is a wonderful place for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and golf. There are also shops and restaurants to check out, and lots to explore in nearby Banner Elk and Grandfather Mountain.
Beech Mountain Hiking & Biking
Hike and bike Beech Mountain’s Emerald Outback Trails for expansive views via 7 miles ranging from 4,700 to 5,400 feet elevation. The main trailhead is located on North Pinnacle Ridge Road. Nearby, find Beech Mountain Resort’s downhill biking park with multiple trails that traverse the ski slopes and are served by the ski lift. Riders can load their bikes on special trays that are added to the lift and then hop on a regular chair behind their bikes. The best time to visit is May through October. Pick up a trail map and get info at the Beech Mountain Visitor Center at 403A Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mtn.
Bird Watching
Approximately 127 bird species can be found on Beech Mountain throughout the year. Because of this great abundance of species, avid bird watchers recognize the Buckeye Lake Recreation Area as a “hot spot” in the area, as well as many of the hiking trails.
Fishing
Trout anglers on Beech Mountain have options with two streams—Buckeye Creek and Pond Creek—both part of the High-Country Mountain Heritage Trout Water Trail.
Beech Ski Resort Summer Opening
During the summer months, the popular ski slopes are transformed for many things to do:
- Chairlift: Bikers, hikers, and sightseers ride to the top of the mountain in the summer (then you hike, bike, or ride back down and play 18 holes of disc golf).
- Mile High Yoga at 5506' Skybar: June-September weekends, for all ability levels. Accessible by chair lift with scenic views as you ascend. Tickets can be purchased online.
- Summer Disc Golf: This 18-hole disc golf course hosts multiple tee locations accommodating all skill levels.
- Beech Mountain Brewing Co. Taproom and Grill is open Memorial Day Weekend through October, Thursday-Sunday.
- 5,506’ Skybar: At the top of the ski slopes is 5,506’ – a bar and restaurant hosting panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in a cozy, glass roundhouse. Unwind with food, drinks, snacks, weekly live music, and the best view in the high country. Take chairlift up.
- Live Music: Beech Mountain Resort hosts a Summer Concert Series every year June-August with past guests such as Sheryl Crow. Additionally, there is free live music every week at 5506’ and in the Resort Village.
- For more details, go to the Beech Mountain Resort website.
Land of Oz
Note: Autumn at Oz is paused for 2025.
Some of the most popular weekends of the year are when the former Land of Oz theme park reopens for the annual Autumn at Oz festival in September. Read more about Land at Oz.
Fall
Beech Mountain is one of the earliest locations to find fall foliage color, usually peaking the first week of October. Stop at roadside farm stands, hike, or drive the scenic roads.
Accommodations
You won't find all the typical hotel chains in this town, but rather lodging options like inns, and condos and mountaintop homes for rent. See the current Beech Mountain lodging accommodations.
Brief Overview
The town of Beech Mountain only has a full-time population of 760 people, but the population increases to as high as 10,000 during the winter and 5,000 in the summer. There are more than 2,300 homes and condos on the mountain, so there are plenty of second homes and vacation rentals. The town began as a resort development in the 1960s. It's about 80 miles north of Asheville. Nearby is the town of Banner Elk.
Winter
If you love to ski and snowboard, and dream of a white Christmas, then Beech Mountain is for you! In the wintertime, explore 95 acres with 17 slopes and trails—and a vertical drop of 830 feet. Their longest run, West Bowl, is one mile. A snow tubing park is adjacent to the Alpine Village at the base of the slopes. You can also snowshoe and hike on the 27-mile trail system maintained by the town of Beech Mountain.
The town also has a free sledding hill located behind the Brick Oven Pizzeria on Bark Park Way. It has two dedicated snow guns to supplement natural snowfall and is open seven days a week from dawn until dusk as long as there is snow! You can check current conditions on their live webcam.
Things to Do in Beech Mountain
Autumn at Oz at Beech Mtn
There's no place like the Beech Mountain's Land of Oz. Stroll along the yellow brick road, experience a recreation of Dorothy's journey from her home in Kansas and meet many of the characters… read more
There's no place like the Beech Mountain's Land of Oz. Stroll along the yellow brick road, experience a recreation of Dorothy's journey from her home in Kansas and meet many of the characters so central to "The Wizard of Oz." The event sells out, so buy tickets ahead.
Beech Mountain Ski Resort
As the highest ski and snowboard area in the eastern US, ride 17 slopes on 95 acres. Find runs for every skill levels, with a vertical drop of 830 feet and 80+ inches of annual snow. The… read more
As the highest ski and snowboard area in the eastern US, ride 17 slopes on 95 acres. Find runs for every skill levels, with a vertical drop of 830 feet and 80+ inches of annual snow. The Alpine Village has ice skating, brewery and even a mountaintop bar. Snow tubing and terrain park. Ski vacation packages and lessons.
