Beech Mountain
The Town of Beech Mountain is located a few miles from Banner Elk in Western North Carolina at an elevation of over 5000’. This ski town has become much more than that in recent years. Beech Mountain offers something for everyone year-round.
In summer, adventure seekers flock to the Emerald Outback at Beech Mountain, a trail park that features more than eight miles of gorgeous trails near the top of the mountain. Hiking, mountain biking, and trail running are prevalent in the Emerald Outback, as well as on several other miles of in-town trails maintained by the parks & recreation department. Downhill mountain biking trails, complete with lift service, are available during the warmer months at Beech Mountain Resort.
Also enjoy hiking to waterfalls, 100-mile mountain vistas, and taking in a round of mini-golf in mild temperatures that average in the low to mid-70s. The town’s Buckeye Rec center offers activities to include indoor & outdoor tennis, volleyball, and a state-of-the-art playground. There’s also a modern fitness center and indoor basketball. The Buckeye Recreation Area also features an official NC Birding Trail, home to nearly 130 species throughout the four seasons.
Check out the Land of Oz during your next trip to Beech Mountain. This enchanted old theme park – which operated from 1970-1980 – is now available for personal tours, birthday parties, and private functions from June through October. Options include exclusive tours of Dorothy’s house, leisurely strolls along the 44,000-brick yellow brick road, and picnic lunches at the Fountain of Youth and the Judy Garland Memorial Overlook.
If golf is your game, the manicured fairways of Beech Mountain Club provide some of the most spectacular scenery in Western North Carolina. Golfers can see four states from this ridge-top layout.
Fly anglers enjoy finding hidden trout streams across the mountain, while recreational fishing is available at Buckeye Lake and Coffey Lake, both of which are stocked annually. Coffey Lake also has a paved 1/8-mile trail around the lake that’s ideal for walking and jogging.
In winter, Beech’s high elevation and average annual snowfall of 84.6 inches create a snowy wonderland Beech Mountain Resort. Beech Mountain Resort, at 5,506 feet in elevation, is the highest ski area east of the Rocky Mountains. It has a nice variance of open trails that accommodate all levels of skiers, a high-speed detachable quad chairlift, and a modern terrain park with its own surface lift, lighting system, and regularly updated features that cater to snowboarders and freestyle skiers.
The resort is also home to something truly unique at the top of the mountain as you exit the chairlift, a round sky bar! Named “5,506” after the mountain’s signature elevation, the sky bar provides indoor food and beverage service, along with a 2,700-square-foot deck outside for relaxing with friends and even doing yoga. The sky bar complex includes heated restrooms, several picnic tables, and a Bald Guy Brew mini coffee shop.
Meanwhile, the Town of Beech Mountain operates a free youth sledding hill complete with its own snow gun. The sledding hill is for children 12 and under and is open daily at no charge, weather permitting.
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