New River State Park

 

The new Visitor Center at New River State Park in North Carolina is beautiful and spacious. What is really awesome is the deck out back for just relaxing, taking in the view, and contemplating life. The facilities here are mostly newer, especially the campground. Sadly, Hurricane Helene did some major damage here and some of the facilities including trails and roads were closed when we visited here.

Mount Jefferson State Park

The view from Mount Jefferson, North Carolina, is quite splendid, to put it mildly. It's quite a drive up the mountain, 1,600 feet above the town of Jefferson. One can see for many miles up here.

 

Rough Ridge Trail

 

The beginning of the Rough Ridge Trail is exciting and not very far north of the Beacon Heights Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's also just north of the iconic Linn Cove Viaduct which has a very interesting history. While the sights off the Linn Cove Viaduct are spectacular any time of year, for a real treat, visit in the fall during the yearly color show put on by the trees! On to the trail and sights on it...