Hike, bike, paddle, and more in McDowell County, North Carolina
Updated October 1, 2026 11:56AM
North Carolina mountain towns enjoy a special place in outdoor culture: They welcome you with Appalachian hospitality and fill your cup with adventure. That’s exactly what you’ll find when you visit McDowell County. Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Marion and Old Fort are a dream for active travelers, offering easy access to hiking, backpacking, biking, paddling, and more.
What makes a getaway here so satisfying is a product of partnership: Residents, local leaders, and community organizations have joined together to expand, improve, and steward the county’s wild spaces. That collaborative spirit permeates the whole area, from the parks and preserves to the county’s base camp towns. So whether you want to hike to Catawba Falls or mountain bike the steep descent on Heartbreak Ridge, you’ll find top-tier trails and adventure infrastructure. And the fall color? As good as it gets.
Find Your Adventure
Connecting with nature in McDowell County is easy—choosing where to start is the real challenge. The county has more than 140 miles of trails, inviting rivers, and public land in every direction. Here are some local favorites:
- Hike (easy): Take the two-mile loop trail to the base of Tom’s Creek Falls. The 100-foot waterfall is one of the easiest to access in the Blue Ridge foothills. Kids will love splashing in the shallow pools below the falls.
- Backpack (challenging): Experience pristine wilderness on the 22-mile Linville Gorge Loop. Treat yourself to views of stunning cliff faces, and find out why the area is called the “Grand Canyon of the East.”
- Paddle: In spring, summer, or fall, rent a kayak, paddleboard, or canoe to explore Lake James. If the water level allows, you can paddle the Catawba River’s flatwater from downtown Marion to Lake James.
- Mountain bike: As a testing ground for Cane Creek, McDowell County knows good mountain biking terrain. Rip laps in the massive Pisgah National Forest mountain bike trail system. There’s something for all skill levels.
Want to extend your adventure? Four state trails cross through McDowell County: the 1,175-mile Mountains to Sea Trail, the Fonta Flora and Wilderness Gateway Trail, and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
To Base Camp and The Outpost
Old Fort has a legacy of protecting its natural resources. Local advocates protected the watershed here in the early 1900s, on land that would become the Pisgah National Forest. And if you like history, the area is steeped in it. Check out Old Fort at the Mountain Gateway Museum and Little Switzerland’s North Carolina Mining Museum at Emerald Village.
When you’re ready to relax, town awaits with classic barbecue, craft brews, and comfortable accommodations: Retreat into the mountains at the Switzerland Inn, stay trailside at Copper Ridge at Grier Village, glamp or park your RV at Wunderland Resort, or end your 22-mile wilderness trek at the nearby Linville Falls Lodge and Cottages.
Destination McDowell is the official tourism resource for McDowell County, North Carolina, located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina. With nearly 200 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, charming small towns, and rich Southern Appalachian culture, McDowell County offers abundant opportunities for exploration and adventure.