Beat the Heat: Cool Summer Escapes in the Carolinas

It’s the height of summer, and the sun is blazing over the Carolinas, scorching everything in its path. During these blazing hot days, everyone starts looking for ways to beat the heat – but where? Guess what, we’ve got some great suggestions for places to visit and activities to help you stay cool. So, instead of sitting cooped up inside with the AC, let’s step outside and enjoy some sunshine – in moderation of course.

Just Head for the Mountains

Grandfather Mountain View - landscape view from a high vantage point featuring lush green coniferous trees in the foreground and layers of rolling hills fading into the distance under a vast sky with scattered clouds and a slight haze on the right side — *The Appalachian Mountains have long offered weary travelers a break from the Summer heat*

For over a hundred years the rich folks in Charleston have made their way to the Western North Carolina mountains to get some relief from the heat down south. In fact, Flat Rock, North Carolina was once known as “Little Charleston in the Mountains” because of all the Charlestonians who summered there. So you can probably guess that I’m going to suggest a trip to the mountains to beat the heat – and you’d be right.

Some of the highest peaks are below 70 Degrees

Evergreen forest in the foreground with multicolored fall foliage in the distance. Looking down at a road cut through the forest. — *Looking out from Mount Mitchell on 10/14/2021.*

The higher up you get, the cooler it’s going to be, and if you’re in the Carolinas, you can’t get any higher than Mount Mitchell. It’s the highest point in North Carolina (and the highest point on the East Coast for that matter) at 6,684 feet above sea level and has an average July high temperature of -get this- just 66°. You can drive to within a quarter mile of the peak and head out on foot from there. Fair warning though, the path is steep and the air is thinner than most of us are used to. So if you’re huffing and puffing when you reach the top, don’t worry too much about it.

Mount Mitchell - a stone observation platform with a metal railing. Several individuals are standing on the platform, looking out at the view. The platform is elevated and appears to have a base structure that could be a closed-off fireplace or monument with an inscription plaque. The ground is covered in gravel, and the sky is overcast with clouds. — *The Observation Tower at Mount Mitchell is a short but steep walk from the highest parking lot*

Once at the top, you’ll have the most amazing view of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. If you’re up for more of a hike, you’ll find trails rated from easy to strenuous. There are even picnic facilities near the peak.

Grandfather Mountain is another option for getting up where the air is cool and crisp even in the middle of Summer. With an average July high temperature of only 68°, it’s almost as cool as Mount Mitchell, but Grandfather Mountain will cost to get into the park and up to the top of the mountain. Once at the top, walk out onto the signature “Mile High Swinging Bridge”, although it’s only 80 feet above the chasm below, it is about a mile above sea level. Great views are had along the bridge, but crossing it to the rocky summit of Linville Peak will make you feel just like a mountain climber.

Grandfather Mountain Trails - a suspension bridge partially obscured by dense fog. The bridge extends from the bottom left towards the upper right of the image, disappearing into the mist. Lush green foliage surrounds the base of the bridge on both sides — One of the biggest attractions at Grandfather Mountain Attraction is the “Mile High Swinging Bridge”.

There’s some hiking around the highest parking lot. Some of the hikes aren’t for the faint of heart, but the trail to the parking lot just below the peak is pretty easy and a great natural experience. Plus, you get a great view of the swinging bridge from below. Picnic tables are plentiful at the park as well as a number of enclosures where animals once native to the mountain have been brought back and can be seen in their natural habitats.

Grandfather Mountain Trails - A misty mountain path with uneven rocky terrain leading towards a large rock formation resembling a profiled face on the left. The fog obscures the distance, creating an ethereal and mysterious atmosphere around the natural landscape. — Journey into the Mist – Grandfather Mountain’s peak is literally in the clouds – So what mist seem like mist is really a cloud.

A Mountain Drive

Highway bearing to the left into a tunnel along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Fall leaves of various colors can be seen in the foliage beside the road and a brown sign reads "Rough Ridge Tunnel" — *Popular during the Summer and Fall, a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway is a great way to spend the day away from the supper heat. Photo taken 10/14/2021.*

Mount Mitchell and Grandfather Mountain are only 60 miles apart linked by the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. And that brings us to another way to beat the heat. Take a drive along the higher elevations of the Parkway. Between Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchel, and then to Asheville and beyond there are plenty of overlooks where you call pull off of the Parkway. Most of the overlooks are at least 4000 feet high with the Richland Balsam overlook – the highest point on the Parkway – reaching 6,053.

Blue Ridge Parkway - a stone sign that reads "6053 FT. HIGHEST ELEVATION BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY MOTOR ROAD." The sign is mounted on a low stone wall beside a paved road that curves gently to the right and disappears into the distance. The sky is clear and blue, and there are trees and grassy areas visible on both sides of the road, suggesting a mountainous landscape — Richland Balsam Overlook, the highest pint along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Every overlook has an amazing view and many have picnic tables as well as hiking trails. There are also lots of places just off the Parkway with more options for picnicking and hiking. It may not be as cool as the mountain peaks, but after a day’s drive through the mountains, you’ll be in for a shock when you get home and step out of your air conditioned car.

Partake of some cool mountain waters

If you really want to cool down this summer, there’s no better way than under the cool running waters of a waterfall. And as luck would have it, you can fund some great spots not far from the Parkway.

Waterfall flowing into a rocky stream with a Stone cliff wall to the right — *Looking Glass Waterfall is one of the most popular sights at Pisgah National Forest. It’s best to arrive early or just be lucky of you want a parking spot.*

Pisgah Forest is the first place that comes to mind when folks think about playing in waterfalls. First, you’ve got Sliding Rock – a sort of natural waterside where people have been going to cool off for generations. The fee for sliding rock is $5 a person, but not far away is a proper waterfall with a pool underneath — Looking Glass Falls. While playing under the waterfall is not encouraged, it’s not forbidden either. A few flights of steps lead down to the base of the falls. Just be careful as the rocks will be slippery. And just to be clear —- NEVER PLAY AT THE TOP ANY WATERFALL.

A sheet of water flows down onto rocks below with a wooden platform, a small trail, and lots of flora visible on the other side. — *View looking out from behind Moore Cove Falls. The viewing platform to the left lets you get a great view of the waterfall in safety.*

If you want to keep dry and are up for a short hike, visit nearby Moore Cove Falls. The water flow over Moore Cove is much less intense than other falls and the pool is really small, but you can easily walk behind the waterfall. A cool breeze normally flows here, cooled by the waters of the mountain stream flowing over the falls. There’s plenty of room to sit back and enjoy nature in this naturally cool environment.

a serene lake reflecting the lush greenery of the surrounding forest. A sandy beach is visible along the water’s edge, leading to dense trees and rolling hills in the distance. The sky above is partly cloudy, suggesting a calm and peaceful day in this natural setting. — *Lake Powhatan swimming beach is probably one of the best ways to cool off in Summer*

The northern part of Pisgah Forest is home to Lake Powhatan and its swimming area. The sandy beach is a great place to cool off in the mountain lake, but with picnic tables nearby it’s a great place to spend the day with the family.

Just down the road from Pisgah is DuPont State Recreational Forest with it’s numerous waterfalls. The main one that people frolic in to cool off is Hooker Falls. Standing just 12 feet high, it’s much lower than the other waterfalls in the forest and just a short walk from the parking lot.

long but short waterfall seen from near the base - green trees are above and behind the fall rock faces are on either side — Hooker Falls at DuPont Forest

High Falls and Triple Falls both have side trails that lead along the river bank to the base of the falls, but these falls are much larger and more intimidating. It doesn’t stop people from getting as close as they can to the falling waters.

High Falls at DuPont State Forest - Large Waterfall seen from the base. The waterfall splits in two on the way down and a small ledge with a tree grows in between flows. The river and riverbed can be seen in the foreground with many rocks visible. — From the spur trail it’s an easy walk to the base of the falls.

These are some great ideas if you’re looking for a way to both get outside and avoid the oppressive heat this summer. But sometimes you just have to surrender to the weather and head out hot or not. Whatever you do, remember to stay hydrated and never forget that a day outside is always better than a day at the office.