When I did an ascent to the highpoint of North Carolina (Mount Mitchell) in the Pisgah National Forest I was reminded of the jaw dropping beauty and the opportunities to experience outdoor adventures east of the Mississippi River. The several days I spent in North Carolina and Tennessee and driving past spots in Kentucky constantly reminded me of the beauty on the East Coast. In this article I share four East Coast USA Hiking Spots. I would recommend all of them if you haven’t given them a whirl.
The top of Mt Mitchell hinted that very “East Coast” slogan as the summit sign proclaimed “Highest Peak East of the Mississippi.” Afterwards it had me thinking about some of the great spots I have experienced in this region of the Planet. As someone who has spent a majority of their time over the past four years on the West Coast. And before that most of my hiking in the mountains of Colorado and Canyons of Utah it’s easy to neglect the East Coast (Hence why Wu-Tang Clan is always reminding us of its greatness!) The West is unbelievable, there’s no doubt.
But there are definitely INCREDIBLE spots to see and witness in the Eastern portion of the United States. Here are four East Coast USA Hiking Spots I love.
It’s a privilege to go hiking on public lands. Especially while you are taking a trip, on vacation, or on a holiday somewhere you don’t live. Giving love and respect to the culture is vital and while we are at it…Leave No Trace and Pack Your 10 Essentials :)!
East Coast USA Hiking Spot One:
Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina.
Asheville North Carolina is the “Boulder” of the Mountain West and the “Sedona” of the American Southwest. A place of jaw dropping beauty built by hippies and artists now being somewhat overtaken by massages, retreats, and expensive restaurants. Nevertheless outside of Asheville and its surrounding towns lays this epic National Forest.
You can find it via the Blue Ridge Parkway or via several other entry points. Some must adventures include the summit to the High Point of North Carolina (Mount Mitchell and its 12 mile RT 3,700 foot elevation gain day hike), Looking Glass Rock, Sliding Rock, Catawba Falls, doing a section hike on the Appalachian Trail and a summit of Hump Mountain, or visit the remains of Rattlesnake Lodge. Just to name a few.
Finish your adventure with one of dozens of amazing tent camping spots or grab a lodge in the lesser known but equally epic mountain towns like Hot Springs or Boone North Carolina.
East Coast USA Hiking Spot Two:
White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire.
While Acadia in Maine and the Long Trail in Vermont get a lot of chatter amongst hikers and backpackers in the Northeast the coldest, windiest, and most dangerous mountain of them all resides in between the two states. Welcome to Mount Washington and the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Some of the best East Coast USA Hiking around. Gorgeous for summer backpacking, beautiful to leaf peep and trail run in the autumn foliage, and downright wild to experience on cross country skies or gaiters in the winter the White Mountains has it all. They cover about a quarter of the state and they have huts available for rent. This is a wilderness that makes you grateful for the freedoms of open spaces in the US’s parks and forests that amplifies the state slogan of NH “Live Free or Die.”
East Coast USA Hiking Spot Three:
The Upper Peninsula, Michigan.
The UP for short is the reason the Pure Michigan commercials exist. From the largest island on Lake Superior and the least visited lower 48 US National Park in Isle Royale to shoreline hiking to beach bluff sand dune hiking to rugged mountains in forests it has it all. The bottom line is the UP of Michigan will make you be curious about what world you have just accidentally entered.
This magical splice of the US is harder to reach than most realize. From my old space in Columbus Ohio it was a 12 hour drive to the upper reaches of the UP, while Detroit was within three hours. Its far off on the beaten path and a tranquil area. My time hiking and backpacking on Isle Royale was one of my favorite National Park experiences to date. A night on Grand Island was tough to match as well. Setting up shop in Marquette, Munising, or Copper Harbor are all great “base camps.”
East Coast USA Hiking Spot Four: Northern Georgia.
Wait, hiking in Northern Georgia? Oh yes. And more of it than you might ever have imagined. It has the highest waterfall East of the Mississippi River in Amicalola Falls State Park. Blood Mountain (a tough and rugged approach to a spot overlooking on the Appalachian Mountains at 4,458 feet high. And Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia.
The hiking here is as rugged as the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and the snow can be just as vicious and come in unexpected. Let the mountains of Northern Georgia inspire, challenge, and surprise you!
Whether you are coming from the West Coast, overseas, or reside in the East but typically save your adventures for places like Montana, Alaska, Arizona or other “West Coast Hiking Spots” these might just be hidden gems for your next trip!
In every nook and cranny in the US and in all countries lies Outdoor Adventure. Even in the Eastern portion of the US that gets much less hub than its brothers and sisters out West and in the Mountain Regions in the middle. Nonetheless the charm is there, the adventures await, and if you have an open mind that adventure is everywhere it will allow you to experience “east of the Mississippi” as a special place more than one might have ever imagined!
Thanks for reading and supporting Happy People Hike, comment below with any questions about these East Coast USA Hiking Spots or tell us your favorite hike East of the Mississippi River!
Happy Hiking,
Mike R
