Old Fort, NC

Surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest, Old Fort is a small quaint town easily accessed from Interstate 40's Exit 73, just east of Asheville and Black Mountain. Old Fort is one of fifteen NC Mountain Heritage Trout Cities and is known for its pre-Revolutionary War era history, mountain biking, hiking, and waterfall trails. (Banner Image: Blue Ridge Traveler)

Here's a sampling of what you will find:

Visitor Center: Less than a half mile from I-40 at exit 73 is the McDowell County Visitor Center at 91 South Catawba Avenue. Stop there for all sorts of maps and brochures about things to do.

Adjacent to the Visitor Center is the Mountain Gateway Museum, the state museum exhibiting mountain lifestyle and history from the earliest inhabitants to the twentieth century. Summer music programs, festivals and a variety of other activities are held there and at their outdoor amphitheater on Mill Creek. Free. Read more.

Located next to the Visitor Center, Arrowhead Gallery and Studios features works by 50+ artists and artisans, offering a wide variety of arts and crafts, as well as classes and workshops. They are open year-round, 7 days a week - 77 Catawba Avenue, Old Fort.
 

Hillman Beer courtesy of McDowell Tourism Authority

Enjoy some brews and grab a bite at Hillman Beer (78 Catawba Avenue, Suite F) where you can sit creekside on their patio.

The Point Lookout Trail is a unique, paved greenway that follows a former road up the ridge, so it's a constant walk or bike ridge for 3.6 miles. It takes you through Pisgah National Forest with mountain views along the way. Read more. 

The Old Fort Gateway Trails, created in 2024, bring 14 miles of beginner-friendly mountain biking, hiking, and trail running to Pisgah National Forest—with more miles under construction as part of a 42-mile expansion. This stacked loop system offers easy, flowing terrain that's rare in WNC. The trails connect directly to Curtis Creek Area and are accessible from two parking areas. 

Other mountain bike trails include Kitsuma Peak and Jarrett's Creek. Woods Mountain Trail is a multi-use trail just north of Marion designated for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrian use. In the Curtis Creek Area, near the campground, is Snook's Nose - great for hiking or mountain biking.  Also in the Curtis Creek area is Newberry Creek Trail. This former forest service road is ideal for beginning hikers, with a trout stream running in and out of the trail.  

Located 9 miles east of Old Fort on US Highway 70 is the very historic Carson House. Today, it's a fascinating museum covering 200+ years of regional history. Read more.

Fishing: Anglers will appreciate the four mountain trout streams, Mill Creek, Curtis Creek, Newberry Creek, and the upper section of the Catawba River. Mill Creek flows through downtown Old Fort, bordering the Mountain Gateway Museum. To fish in a stream that is designated as a Mountain Heritage Trout Water, purchase a 3-day license for $5.

Old Fort Arrowhead Monument: In the center of Old Fort, built in 1930 this hand-chiseled granite monument served to honor the peace finally achieved between the pioneer settlers and the Native Americans (pic at top of page). At the unveiling, over 6,000 people attended including chiefs from both the Catawba and Cherokee tribes. These two tribes had never smoked a pipe of peace together until that day.