For Smoky Mountain Views, Head To This Crowd-Less Park Alternative
By Hillary Louise Johnson
VACATIONS
Pisgah National Forest is an under-the-radar alternative to the Great Smoky Mountains, where you can hike, bike, fish, hunt, or paddle through gorgeous areas in solitude.
Pisgah and the Smokies differ greatly while offering similar natural beauty. As a national forest, Pisgah has easier access and opportunities to hunt, off-road, and wild camp.
The Appalachian Trail passes through the Pisgah, and on Max Patch Mountain, you'll discover views for miles. Linville Gorge is a 2,000-foot-deep canyon with old-growth forests.
You can see various waterfalls at Pisgah's "Land of Waterfalls," such as the roadside Looking Glass Falls, a 60-foot plunge into a pool fit for summer splashing.
After a waterfall ride, you can experience a manicured version of nature at Biltmore Estate's lush gardens, designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
The Pisgah Inn, at the parkway's highest point, has sweeping views from every table, and Pisgah's Granite City is one of the best places to tackle beginner-friendly bouldering.