Home - Burke County Tourism

Thermal Valley Hang Gliding

Enjoy a unique aerial adventure that will change the way you think of flying and the sky. Free flight will enrich your life.

Find your wings

Say "I DO" to Burke County

Find the perfect wedding venue for your Big day!

Wedding Venues

Catawba Valley Wine Trail

Enjoy the sweet taste of Burke County at our 5 unique wineries.

Connoisseurs

Renew, Relax, Refresh

James State Park

#BurkeOut

Upcoming Events

Dec
5
3 PM

J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center Christmas Parade

Dec 5, 2019
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center

Gates close at 2:30 to make sure the road is clear prior to the parade starting so get there early to get a good spot!

Dec
7
10 AM

Valdese Annual Christmas Parade

Dec 7, 2019
10 a.m. - noon

Downtown Valdese

Enjoy our small town at its finest!

Dec
7
2 PM

Glen Alpine Christmas Parade

Dec 7, 2019
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Town of Glen Alpine

Join the town of Glen Alpine in welcoming Santa to the area during their annual Christmas Parade.

Dec
11
9:45 AM

Winter Boat Tour of Lake James

Dec 11, 2019
9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Lake James East Picnic Shelter

Ranger Clay Veasey will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas.

Dec
13
6 PM

Christmas in Valdese

Dec 13, 2019
6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Old Rock School

Tree-Lighting Ceremony and Christmas carols by the Valdese Elementary School students.

Dec
31
9 PM

New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball

Dec 31, 2019 - Jan 1, 2020
9 p.m. - 1 a.m.

City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium (CoMMA)

We’re pulling out all the stops with a Champagne toast at midnight, a DJ, Dancing, Heavy Hors d’oeuvres and casino games.

Jan
11
7 PM

Concerts at the Rock welcomes Darin & Brooke Aldridge

Jan 11, 2020
7 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Old Rock School

Husband and wife duo Darin & Brooke Aldridge draw on the traditions of their native North Carolina, the savvy of a young, gifted band and their own dedication to ingenuity to create the most adventurous album of their career with their latest critically acclaimed release, Faster & Farther.

Lake James State Park

Lake James State Park offers a full menu of activities. Along with boating, swimming and fishing in the beautiful, clear waters of the 6,812-acre lake, there are 25 miles of trails, 15 of which are open to mountain biking.

Explore

Linville Gorge Wilderness

Linville Gorge is one of Eastern America's most scenic and rugged gorges, created by the scouring action of the Linville River. Sometimes it is referred to as the "Grand Canyon of Eastern USA." The steep walls of the Gorge enclose the Linville River for 12 miles.

Discover

South Mountains State Park

North Carolinas largest State Park, in one of the state’s most rugged areas, South Mountains State Park features elevations to 3,000 feet, an 80-foot waterfall, mountain streams and more than 40 miles of trails for hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers.

Visit

Featured Attractions

Bed & Breakfast Inns

Inn at Glen Alpine Bed & Breakfast

It is centrally located in Western North Carolina and just minutes from hiking, parks, fishing, historic towns, museums, wineries and breweries, shopping, restaurants and much more!

105 Davis St, Morganton, NC, 28655

Campgrounds Cycling Fishing Hiking Parks & Forests

South Mountains State Park

The largest state park in North Carolina with more than 40 miles of trails and an 18-mile mountain bike loop. Elevations up to 3,000 feet and an 80-foot waterfall provide excellent views. Located just south of Morganton and Valdese. Activities include equestrian camping, primitive camping, trout fishing, mountain biking, picnicking and hiking.

3001 South Mountain State Park Road, Connelly Springs, NC, 28612

Boating Campgrounds Camping Canoeing & Kayaking Cycling Fishing Hiking Parks & Forests

Lake James State Park Paddy's Creek Area

Tucked away in rolling hills at the base of Linville Gorge, Lake James includes 6,510 surface acres with more than 150 miles of shoreline. Swimming, canoeing, fishing and hiking. Picnic areas, bath house and rest rooms. Trails, camping and guided ranger tours and activities. 83 campsites range from boat-in only to car and walk-in sites.

2693 Park Trail, Nebo, NC, 28761

Hotels

Sleep Inn

Free Continental Breakfast. Swimming pool. Interstate 40, Exit 105.

2400a S Sterling St, Morganton, NC, 28655

Hotels

Quality Inn

The Quality Inn hotel in Morganton is conveniently located off Interstate 40, exit 105 and close to area attractions and businesses, including Lake James and Linville Caverns.

2400 S Sterling St, Morganton, NC, 28655

Hotels

Comfort Inn

The Comfort Inn & Suites hotel is located off of Interstate 40, exit 103.

1273 Burkemont Ave, Morganton, NC, 28655

Hotels

Days Inn & Suites

Experience warm southern hospitality and great value at Days Inn & Suites Morganton hotel.

1100 Burkemont Ave, Morganton, NC, 28655

Hotels

Hampton Inn

Experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains when staying at Hampton Inn Morganton. Centrally located in the Piedmont Region, this hotel provides easy interstate access. Visit the Pisgah National Forest located in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. Interstate 40, exit 105. One hour from Asheville, Boone and Charlotte.

115 Bush Dr, Morganton, NC, 28655

Campgrounds

Steele Creek Campground

On-site camp store, game room and snack bar plus water slide and swimming area with two diving boards.

7081 Nc-181, Morganton, NC, 28655

Campgrounds Camping Fishing

Rose Creek Campground

Take Highway 181 North from Morganton toward the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina, and turn left at the first campground you spot. Take the gravel road past the nursery to Rose Creek Family Campground.

3471 Rose Creek Rd, Morganton, NC, 28655