Mount Mitchell State Park is located at the end of NC 128 off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Burnsville, North Carolina. It includes the peak of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. From the parking lot, a steep paved path leads visitors to the summit and a raised observation platform with 360 degree views.
In addition to Mount Mitchell itself, the park encompasses several other peaks which top out at over 6000' in elevation, including Mount Hallback, Mount Craig (just 52 feet (16 m) shy of Mount Mitchell in elevation and the second highest peak east of the Mississippi River), Big Tom and Balsam Cone. Trails lead to all these summits save Mount Hallback, and their exploration takes visitors away from the crowds on Mount Mitchell but to places similarly spectacular. About 8 miles (13 km) of trails exist within the park in all.
Trails Map of the Black Mountains including trails of Mount Mitchell State Park (SP) and the Pisgah National Forest (NF) in North Carolina. Published by North Carolina State Parks.
Official Visitor Map of Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (NHT) in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) of the Appalachian Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest (NF) in North Carolina. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) of the Grandfather Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest (NF) in North Carolina. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Guide to North Carolina State Parks. Published by North Carolina State Parks.
Mount Mitchell SP
https://www.ncparks.gov/mount-mitchell-state-park/home
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Mitchell_State_Park
Mount Mitchell State Park is located at the end of NC 128 off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Burnsville, North Carolina. It includes the peak of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. From the parking lot, a steep paved path leads visitors to the summit and a raised observation platform with 360 degree views.
In addition to Mount Mitchell itself, the park encompasses several other peaks which top out at over 6000' in elevation, including Mount Hallback, Mount Craig (just 52 feet (16 m) shy of Mount Mitchell in elevation and the second highest peak east of the Mississippi River), Big Tom and Balsam Cone. Trails lead to all these summits save Mount Hallback, and their exploration takes visitors away from the crowds on Mount Mitchell but to places similarly spectacular. About 8 miles (13 km) of trails exist within the park in all.
Activities
Experience the Park!
On a clear day,
you can enjoy
spectacular views
and see as far
as 85 miles.
GPS: 35.7528, -82.2737
Mount Mitchell State Park
2388 State Hwy. 128
Burnsville, NC 28714
828-675-4611
mount.mitchell@ncparks.gov
Fun Facts
■■ Mount Mitchell was established as the first state
park in 1915,
■■ In 1835 Dr. Elisha Mitchell, a science professor,
journeyed to the Black Mountains to measure their
elevations. Using barometric pressure readings and
mathematical formulas, he estimated the highest
elevation to be 6,672 feet.
■■ In 1858, the highest peak in the mountain range
was named for Dr. Mitchell to commemorate his
discoveries.
■■ In the early 1900s, extensive logging operations
stripped most of the mountain range causing alarm
among citizens, including North Carolina Governor
Locke Craig.
■■ The Black Mountains were formed more than a
billion years ago. Once lofty and rugged, erosion
wore down the pinnacles to the rounded shapes we
see today.
■■ At 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the highest point
The Fraser fir, the most abundant tree along
the crest of the Black Mountains, was named
for John Fraser, an English botanist, who
explored the area in the late 1780’s.
91 species of birds have
been recorded in the
park including,
winter wrens,
red crossbills
and ruffed
grouse.
In the 1950’s, the balsam
woolly adelgid (similar to an
aphid) infested and killed a
large number of Fraser firs
and altered the forest ecology
of the Black mountains.
■■ Six of the Black Mountain peaks are among the 10
highest peaks in the eastern US.
■■ The Black Mountains’ climate is more like that of
■■ Due to the abundance of Fraser firs, many of the trails
at Mount Mitchell are said to smell like Christmas.
Mount Mitchell State Park
offers a restaurant near the
summit where you can enjoy
food and scenic
views.
Two regular visitors to the park
office are a pair of deer—Lucy and
Lucinda. In winter, they can be seen
licking the salt off vehicles in the
parking lot.
east of the Mississippi.
Canada than N.C., and many of the plants and animals
are similar to those native to more northern alpine
environments.
Blackberries, blueberries and
raspberries grow in the park.
Visitors can pick a few and
eat the berries when they
ripen, around August.
ncparks.gov
MNQPV
The park protects the
most extensive assortment
of rare plant and animal
species in the state park
system.
A birds-eye view shows
that the mountain range
bears the shape of the
letter “J.”
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Mount Mitchell State Park
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Mount Mitchell
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Campsites
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2388 State Highway 128, Burnsville, NC 28714
GPS: 35.7528,-82.2737
Mount.Mitchell@ncdenr.gov (828) 675-4611
8
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un
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Tra
ur
128
6
Picnic Shelter
Ranger Residence
5
3
1
Restrooms
4
2
Roads
Trash Bin
Water Spigot
North
Park
Office
0
75
150
300
450
Feet
6/10
Pettigrew State Park
South Mountains State Park – 2018 Park of the Year
Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve
North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation manages more
than 234,000 acres of iconic landscape across our state in our
parks, recreation areas and natural areas with a mission dedicated
to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system
welcomed more than 19 million visitors in 2017.
Discover More with a Ranger
Across North Carolina, state park rangers are proud of our parks
and eager to welcome you and your family. Come to our parks
to marvel at our state’s most beautiful natural resources, enjoy
your favorite outdoor activities and learn about the rich science,
culture and history that make our parks great.
Fun facts about North Carolina State Parks
■■ There are 41 places to visit, including 34 parks, four
recreation areas and three staffed state natural areas.
■■ The Division manages four state rivers, seven state lakes
and six state trails.
■■ There are about 581 miles of trail to explore in our parks.
■■ The
first state park created was Mount Mitchell State Park
on March 3, 1915. Fort Macon State Park was the second.
■■ The Division celebrated 100 years of being Naturally
Wonderful in 2016.
■■ Parks that welcome over 1 million visitors annually include:
Jockey’s Ridge, Fort Macon and William B. Umstead state
parks and Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake state
recreation areas.
■■ The Division employs over 1,000 people across the state.
■■ Some
www.ncparks.gov
M N P Q
Roy Cooper
Governor
unique activities you can do in our parks include:
wind surfing and hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge State Park,
cross country skiing and snow shoeing at Elk Knob State
Park, driving on the four-wheel-drive beach at Fort Fisher
State Recreation Area and rock climbing at Chimney Rock,
Crowders Mountain, Hanging Rock, Pilot Mountain and
Stone Mountain state parks.
Susi H. Hamilton
Secretary
75,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $10,707.92 or $0.14 each. 03/18
Did you know that many plants atop Mount Mitchell are rare
in North Carolina but common in Quebec? That the giant
sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge are constantly moving? Do you
know how to safely hold a crayfish? From fishing lessons to
astronomy programs and tree identification hikes to guided
paddles, parks offer programs for all ages. Visit our website for a
list of upcoming programs at each park.
Junior Rangers
The Junior Ranger program offers educational and skill-based
activities to encourage children to explore the outdoors. Children
can complete activity guides, geared for ages 6-12, and attend
ranger programs to earn a junior ranger patch unique to each
park. Ask about the program at a park office or download the
guide at: www.ncparks.gov/junior-rangers.
Environmental Education Learning Experiences
Parks have their own curriculum guides that are correlated to
the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Competency goals
in science, social studies, mathematics and English/language
arts are available. Each program includes pre-visit, on-site and
post-visit student activities that have measurable objectives,
background information, vocabulary, references and step-bystep activity instructions.
Passport Program
How many state parks can you visit? Use your passport as a guide
and collect stamps, earn prizes and make “Naturally Wonderful”
memories! Pick up your passport at a state park near you.
North Carolina State Parks 100-Mile Challenge
Can you hike, bike or paddle 100 miles in
a year? Join the N.C. State Parks’ 100-Mile
Challenge and log your miles online to earn
digital badges and redeem prizes as you reach
various milestones! This is a great way to get
outside, get moving and keep track of your
activity. Visit www.nc100miles.org to sign up.
■■ Several parks have educational trails, called TRACK trails, that
include activities for children to complete along the way.
William B. Umstead State Park
Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Friends Of State Parks
Join the Friends of State Parks to help support, promote
and advocate for the parks system as a whole, or join the
friends group of your favorite park. The group helps provide
funding for Junior Ranger and Youth in Parks – Environmental
Education programs, as well as grants for state parks projects.
You can also make a donation to help keep our parks around
for future generations. Learn more at www.ncfsp.org or
www.ncparks.gov/support-your-parks.
Merchandise
Want to show your N.C. State Parks pride? Visit the online
webstore and purchase products such as coffee mugs, prints,
t-shirts, pins, patches and Christmas ornaments. This exclusive
merchandise makes a great gift for special state parks fans,
including yourself. www.ncparkstore.com
N.C. State Parks License Plate
Show your support for state parks every time you drive your
vehicle! Purchase an N.C. State Parks license plate through the
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicl