My Perfect Summer Road Trip Route in North Carolina

Located just 40 miles north of Charlotte, Lake Norman State Park sits on the northern shores of the beautiful Lake Norman. Home to one of the best mountain bike trails in North Carolina, mountain bikers of all skill levels will thoroughly enjoy tackling the 31-mile Itusi Trail. It's one of the more under-appreciated state parks in North Carolina, but I think it's worthy of being the first stop on our summer road trip.

Folks on foot can enjoy nearly 40 miles of hiking trails, boating (seasonal boat rentals available), fishing, and swimming. There are no fees to enter Lake Norman State Park if you’re entering for the day, which is perfect for budget travelers. The sandy beach swimming area at the park is the perfect way to begin a summer road trip, so bring your bathing suit!

Our next stop, Lake James State Park, is about an hour away. While this region is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, you’ll still be able to hike or bike most of the trails. There are several waterfront trails here, which I just adore. The 4.3-mile loop trail is a good one if you’ve got the time! Fingers crossed you visit this park on a clear day, because the water turns a Caribbean blue that just makes your soul sing. 

About an hour away from Lake James, heading north, we reach Linville Gorge, the deepest gorge in the eastern United States. Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the East, the steep walls of the gorge enclose the Linville River for about 12 miles. The river begins at Grandfather Mountain (which we will get to in a minute) and famously enters the gorge at the iconic Linville Falls. 

The Linville Gorge Wilderness Area is a playground for nature lovers. You could fill up an entire weekend exploring the hiking trails here. It’s just overflowing with side quests! 

The final stop for the day is Grandfather Mountain State Park. Another natural playground, you could easily spend an entire day here. Admission to the park is $28, so make sure you give yourself enough time to get your money’s worth! The Mile High Swinging Bridge (if you’re not afraid of heights) and the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery are both must-see attractions at Grandfather Mountain State Park. 

The hiking trails at Grandfather Mountain State Park will test your stamina and endurance, but they will take you to some of the best views in North Carolina. The Raven Rocks Loop, in particular, is an incredibly scenic trail, but it’s not for beginners. 

After a long day of incredible adventures, check in to the Hampton Inn & Suites in Boone, North Carolina. It’s only 20 miles (about 35 minutes) from Grandfather Mountain State Park and nine miles (20 minutes) from our next destination, making it the perfect central spot to call it a day. I'd highly recommend taking the scenic route from Grandfather Mountain State Park over to the hotel, so you can enjoy one of the most iconic parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The hotel offers a complimentary hot breakfast, an indoor pool, a fitness center, plus pet-friendly rooms. 

Rise and shine, my fellow road warriors! After fueling up on the hotel’s hot breakfast, hop back in the car for 20 minutes and travel to one of my favorite scenic destinations in North Carolina—Blowing Rock. The village in Western North Carolina sits on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and is named after the famous rock formation known for its majestic views. Admission is around $10, and you can purchase tickets on The Blowing Rock website.

The Glen Burney Trail is a fun side quest trail that leads to some beautiful waterfalls. It’s a 2.2-mile out-and-back trail that takes about an hour and a half to complete, which is the perfect way to start the day!

Our final destination on this epic North Carolina road trip is 1.5 hours northeast, where we will find Stone Mountain State Park. Known for the iconic 600-foot granite dome and the historic Hutchinson Homestead, this 14,000+ acre state park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails to explore. 

The Stone Mountain Trail is a 3.4-mile scenic hike that leads you along the edge of the Appalachian Mountains. If you’ve got the stamina, the more challenging loop trail does it in five miles, so choose your own adventure. Regardless of what trail you take, the panoramic view from the summit of Stone Mountain is a well-earned reward and an idyllic endpoint for this summer road trip. 

You could spend a lifetime exploring the sights in this region, but this South Carolina road trip gives a solid foundation on which to build your own epic adventure! Share this article with someone you want to plan the perfect summer road trip in North Carolina with.

Photo credits (from top to bottom): Tess Wise/AllTrails, Kellie Melissa McCall/AllTrails, Skiserge1/iStock/Getty Images, JillLang/iStock/Getty Images, Pattarisara Suvichanarakul/iStock/Getty Images, Daniel Piraino/Flickr, Daniel Richardson/AllTrails