I’ll admit, when I penciled in a “summer weekend in Beech Mountain, NC,” I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect — other than a break from the August heat. Snow? Yeti sightings? A rogue ski patrol still making rounds in July? Instead, after a breezy four-hour drive, we were greeted by a spectacular mountain view and one very serious pizza craving. Thankfully, The Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria came highly recommended and lived up to the hype. Between bites, we caught up with Jimmy Acccardi, whose family has been keeping Beech Mountain visitors happily fed for generations.
Saturday was full throttle in the best way. We carb loaded at Fred’s Backside Deli (the biscuit and gravy-a highlight of the breakfast buffet) and then explored Fred’s General Mercantile — imagine Mast General Store but with more personality and fewer corporate vibes. Next up was Crafts on the Green where local artisans sold everything from mountain art to hand-carved spoons. Feeling empowered by waterproof hiking boots and misplaced confidence, we hit the Buckeye Lake Loop and Falls Trail and earned a flex after navigating the moderate trail all the way to the waterfall and back.
Beech Mountain Resort turns its slopes into a summer playground once the snow melts. Mountain bikers launched themselves downhill with their hair on fire (don’t worry, the lift is built to haul bikes) while calmer souls played disc golf along the ridge. We took the ski lift to the summit, grabbed drinks at the 5506’ Skybar and enjoyed live music by Preston Benfield — adventure level: chill.
Dinner at Alpen Restaurant meant perfectly cooked steaks and zero apology for dessert because hiking counts as cardio. Sunday wrapped with a jaunt through the Emerald Outback, a lush, green trail system that genuinely makes you feel like the Wizard of Oz might appear around the next bend. I dusted off my big camera lenses and happily snapped a few wildlife cameos.
Bottom line: Beech Mountain is a delightful summer surprise where you can mountain bike like a daredevil, hike like a champion, or simply ride the lift and pretend you “do this all the time.” And if it’s this good in August, just imagine it when the fall colors roll in.
At 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain is the highest town in Eastern America and a true four-season playground. Summer brings hiking, biking and cool mountain air, fall delivers stunning color, and winter transforms the slopes into a ski and snowboard haven. Just four hours from Aiken, it’s the perfect high-country escape year-round.