On The Road
Borrowing the name from Jack Kerouac’s classic beat generation tale of travels across the country, intermittently we’ll post accounts about our life on the road. Whether you’re traveling by motorhome, fifth wheel, trailer, camper, van, or SUV, there is so much out there to explore, and we want to bring you the very best to consider for your next adventure. Read on for our most recent excursion to Banner Elk in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
Banner Elk
High in the hills of epic Blue Ridge Mountains sits Banner Elk in an area of western North Carolina aptly called the High Country. A quick 30-minute drive from neighboring Boone, Banner Elk is a quintessential small Appalachian town. With world-class dining options, boutique shopping, artisan crafts, and more, Banner Elk offers something for everyone. Plus, it is situated only five minutes away from Sugar Mountain Resort and 15 minutes from Beech Mountain Resort, offering some of the top skiing, boarding, and snow tubing options in the southeast. Last but not least, Banner Elk is about 20 minutes from Grandfather Mountain Nature Park & Swinging Bridge, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the High Country. Boasting a pedestrian suspension bridge peaking at 5,280 feet above sea level, Grandfather Mountain has so much to offer, from its nature preserves, to its stunning 360 views, to its two gift shops, over 100 picnic tables and more!
Town of Beech Mountain
Any winter sport enthusiast will appreciate Beech Mountain Resort and the surrounding town that bears its name. Sitting at an elevation of 5,506 feet above sea level, Beech Mountain is the tallest mountain town on the East Coast and has activities to offer year-round. Beech Mountain Resort boasts the highest skiable terrain in the eastern U.S., with 17 trails, 10 chair lifts, and two terrain parks across an expansive 95 acres. With a vertical drop of 830 feet and snowmaking capabilities, there is little wonder why Beech Mountain is a favorite among visitors and locals alike. If you need to gear up before you go, skiers will appreciate the offerings and rentals available at Ski Country Sports. For boarders, check out the boards, gear, and tune up services at Edge of the World, one of the country’s oldest family-owned snowboard shops.
Downtown Boone
Known for its mountain scenery and college-town vibes, Boone has much to offer for all ages and is centrally located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Downtown Boone draws visitors in with its historic King Street, a pedestrian-friendly tree lined street adorned with shops, art galleries, cafés, restaurants, and more. The neighboring campus of Appalachian State University (familiarly referred to as “App State”) is also worth a tour, with its stately buildings, meticulous landscaping, and ever changing foliage. Skiers and boarders will enjoy Boone in the winter months as it is conveniently located less than 20 minutes from nearby Appalachian Ski Mountain.
Where to Stay
RV parks and campgrounds abound in the Blue Ridge, so consider where you will be exploring. For convenience seekers, try the Boone KOA located right outside of town. Beech Mountain typically has a town-operated campground but according to its website, it is temporarily closed due to Hurricane Helene. However, Grandfather Mountain offers an RV resort with cabins about a 30-minute drive from Beech Mountain.
Before You Go
Before you go, make sure you’re prepared with all the RV care, RV maintenance, and RV restoration accessories you’ll need. RVbyLIFE’s Life-Calk® polysulfide RV sealant and Life Seal® silicone/polyurethane RV sealant are two staples to have on hand for any quick on the road repair. The Stick scrapping tool also comes in handy and works well with our Release Adhesive & Sealant Remover. Of course, no trip would be complete without a bottle of all-purpose sanitizer. Our Sanitizer for Hands and Surfaces is made with only Benzalkonium Chloride and iodized water, so it won’t leave an odor or irritate the skin on application. It also continues working on surfaces once dry unlike alcohol-based sanitizer. For all other RV repair and maintenance needs, visit our website for our full product catalog.
Make sure to check out our other travel tales to find your next RV travel destination. Happy RV travels!
