Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster is North Carolina’s first alpine roller coaster, providing thrilling outdoor adventure in Banner Elk.

Wilderness Run is built by Germany’s top alpine coaster company and modeled after popular coasters in Europe. The track’s length of 3,160 feet includes three circular loops, a series of waves and several twists and turns for plenty of excitement.

Guests navigate the track in individual carts that are designed to accommodate up t... Read More

Closed the summer of 2020 due to COVID-19

For other outdoor adventure in Banner Elk, click here

Wildcat Lake is a premier attraction in Banner Elk, particularly in warmer months. The 13-acre lake is the centerpiece of a public-access facility that includes a white sand beach, swimming pier and fishing dock.

The most popular activities at W... Read More

Just a short drive from Banner Elk is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the NC mountains.

Elk River Falls, also known as Big Falls, features large volumes of water dropping 50 feet over a rock cliff into a picturesque oval pool.

The trail to the falls is an easy-to-follow trail, but there are ample rocks and roots along the way. It is about a third of a mile to get to the falls (0.6 miles roundtrip).

The falls can be viewed from an area near the top of the falls... Read More

*Tours by Appointment Only*

One of the best kept secrets in the North Carolina High Country is the Apple Hill Farm, located just outside Banner Elk.

Apple Hill is a working alpaca and llama farm, with a popular gift store, that offers tours year-round to visitors.

The tours are guided, educational walking tours that generally last about 45 to 60 minutes. On each tour, v... Read More

Sky Valley is a treetop zip-line adventure. Located between Boone and Blowing Rock, the property covers more than 140 acres of old-grown forest. The course includes 10 zip lines, as well as a swinging bridge over a 35-foot waterfall and a cliff jump.

The journey starts with an ATV ride through the river and up the mountain. “Ground School” is an informational session before the zip-line tour where rangers explain the equipment, give zipping instructions and allow participants to tra... Read More

Hawksnest features four miles of zip-line cables for riders to cruise over trees, lakes and creeks, taking in panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The attraction is located just off of Highway 105 South between Boone and Banner Elk, high atop Seven Devils.

Whether you are a first-time zip-liner or you have several rides under your belt, Hawksnest is a fun place to experience the thrill of a zip line while surrounded by mountain scenery.

The most popular option is the ... Read More

High Mountain Expeditions, which opened in 1986, helped pioneer whitewater rafting guide service in the North Carolina mountains. The focus is on providing reliable, knowledgeable and experienced guides.

High Mountain Expeditions has four outposts in the NC mountains, including one in Banner Elk on Tynecastle Highway. The company specializes in rafting adventures on the Nolichucky River, Watauga River and rugged Wilson Creek, as well as tubing on the gently-flowing New River.

Grandfather Mountain is a popular tourist attraction located atop one of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Each year, it attracts about 250,000 tourists who spend the day hiking, viewing animals, visiting the nature museum and picnicking.

One of the mountain’s best-known pastimes is a walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge. At one mile above sea level, the bridge is the highest suspension footbridge in the country. A journey to the end offers 360-degree views of the ... Read More

This downtown Banner Elk outfitter specializes in white-water rafting, kayaking, rock climbing and rappelling. The family-run business encourages getting outdoors as a family unit.

White-water rafting trips are popular group excursions as groups board buses in Banner Elk and head to Elizabethton, Tenn., about 45 minutes away. Rafting takes place on the Watauga River with the trip downriver lasting about three-and-a-half to four hours, including lunch. The outfitter serves tasty lunc... Read More

View the Blue Ridge Mountains via horseback at Banner Elk Stables. This Banner Elk attraction offers one-hour guided rides on rustic trails perched along the mountain ridges.

Rides are available year-round, weather permitting to people of all ages. The farm has a large stable of horses suitable for a variety of riding abilities.

Some guests get to ride atop movie stars. Horses from Banner Elk Stables have appeared on the big screen in “For Richer or Poorer,” “Shallow Hal,” “C... Read More

Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park is an extreme playground for cyclists in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park occupies 185 acres just east of Boone off U.S. Hwy. 421. Eight miles of custom-built trails weave through the forest, offering a one-of-a-kind way to explore the High Country.

Single-track trails accommodate all skill levels, from the moderate 1.5-mile Rocky Branch Loop to the three-quarter-mile Ol’ Hoss Trail exclusively for experts. The trails are also accessible to hikers and... Read More

The Emerald Outback Trail Park, located near the summit of Beech Mountain, is a multi-use trail system created by the Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation Department. The Emerald Outback stands out as one of the highest trail parks east of the Rockies, with elevations up to 5,400 feet above sea level.

The trail system consists of seven trails covering about eight miles of terrain. Five of the seven trails are rated as moderate to advanced in degree of difficulty, while two trails are... Read More

From early June through late September, ski slopes become downhill mountain biking trails at Beech Mountain Resort.

The Beech Mountain Bike Park provides chairlift service to the top of the 5,506 peak, allowing riders to choose from a variety of trails back down to the resort village.

There are 10 trails in total, ranging from easy to intermediate to advanced to expert only. Read More