Mt Mitchell State Park Information

Mt Mitchell State Park is located in Burnsville NC Yancey County, 33 miles Northeast of Asheville North Carolina off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 355.4

Mt Mitchell State Park was established in 1916. It was the first state park in North Carolina.

The first European to climb Mt Mitchell was Andre Michaux in 1789.

Dr. Elisha Mitchell, whom the mountain was named, was a professor at UNC. He determined Mt Mitchell to be the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Dr. Mitchell fell to his death from above a 40 ft waterfall now called Mitchell falls. His body is buried next to the observation tower on the summit of Mt. Mitchell.

Mt Mitchell is apart of the Black Mountains. The black mountains have 6 mountain peaks over 6000 ft in elevation. They are: Mt Mitchell at  6684 ft, Mt Hallback at 6391 feet, Mt Craig at 6645, Mt Balsam Cone at 6691, Cattail Peak at 6511 feet and Big Tom at 6558 feet.

Mount Mitchell State Park - near Marion NC, 2nd highest mountain in North America, highest mountain peak east of the Rockies.

Mt Mitchell State Park has hiking trails from beginner to expert, an observation tower, spectacular views, a campground, picnic grounds, restaurant and a large parking lot.

Park office, concession stand, restrooms

Campground is for tents only - 9 sites with tables, toilet facilities, no showers

RV camping available on nearby Blue Ridge Parkway at Crabtree Meadows and Linville Falls.

Picnic grounds - 40 picnic tables, grills

Wildlife and Wildflowers

Bird watching

Hiking trails:

• Old Mitchell trail to the summit - moderate
• Mt Mitchell trail - main trail used to climb the mountain
• Balsam trail - short 3/4 mile nature trail
• Camp Alice trail - southside of Mt Mitchell - strenuous
• Deep Gap Trail - 3 miles to northern boundary of park - moderate to strenuous

Open year round weather permitting

Spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Black Mountains.

You can hunt and fish provided you have the permits to do so.

Craggy Gardens - South of Mt Mitchell, North Carolina Pictures

Craggy Gardens Pinnacle Trail begins at the overlook at the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, mile marker 364.1. Beautiful views elevation of 5840 ft. noted for its beauty when Rhododendron are blooming in Mid June.

Marion NC Hotels