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Burke County Tourism

Upcoming Events

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Sep
21
10 AM

Riverfest at Lake James State Park


10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Lake James State Park

Celebrate the Catawba River with Eco-tours, paddling, exhibits, crafts, live music and more.
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Sep
28
11 AM

Commemorative Crossing of the Catawba River with the Overmountain Men


11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Judges Riverside Restaurant

Experience the reenactment of the 1780 river crossing which led to the battle of Kings Mountain and ultimately the defeat of the British.
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Oct
10
11 AM

Fall Color Tours on the Ridgeline Trolley


11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Burke County Tourism

See the Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Falls and the Brown Mountain Overlook.
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Oct
11
11 AM

Fall Color Tours on the Ridgeline Trolley


11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Burke County Tourism

See the Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Falls and the Brown Mountain Overlook.
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Oct
12
7 PM

Concerts at the Rock: The True Grass Band with Sideline


7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Old Rock School

The Old Rock School in Valdese, North Carolina has become well-known throughout the nation for its outstanding bluegrass concerts.
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Oct
12
11 AM

Fall Color Tours on the Ridgeline Trolley


11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Burke County Tourism

See the Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Falls and the Brown Mountain Overlook.
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Oct
19
1 PM

Oysters and Shrimp Fest


1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Courthouse Square

he Annual October Oyster and Shrimp Festival, an annual fundraiser for the Burke Arts Council, will take place on Saturday, October 19th on the Old Court House Square and the Burke Arts Council property at 115 E Meeting Street in Downtown Morganton.
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Oct
31
4 PM

Valdese Treats in the Streets


4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Downtown Valdese

The Downtown merchants transform into all sorts of spooky creatures to fill the kiddos pumpkins with candy!
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Nov
8
4 PM

2019 Christmas in November Craft & Gift Show

- Nov 9, 2019
4 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Old Rock School

From wood crafts to quilts, you are sure to find something for everyone on your Christmas list this year (and maybe a few things for yourself!)
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Dec
7
10 AM

Valdese Annual Christmas Parade


10 a.m. - noon
Downtown Valdese

Enjoy our small town at its finest!
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Jan
11
7 PM

Concerts at the Rock welcomes Darin & Brooke Aldridge


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.
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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
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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
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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

Inn at Glen Alpine
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
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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
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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
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Hotels

Sleep Inn

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

2400a S Sterling St, Morganton, NC, 28655
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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
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Hotels

Comfort Inn

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

1273 Burkemont Ave, Morganton, NC, 28655
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Hotels

Days Inn & Suites

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

1100 Burkemont Ave, Morganton, NC, 28655
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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
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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
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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
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Bed & Breakfast

Fairway Oaks Bed & Breakfast

In addition, the Silver Creek Plantation Clubhouse features Papa’s Bar & Grill, which serves lunch and dinner.

4640 Plantation Dr,, Morganton, NC, 28655
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Cabins & Cottages

Robardajen Woods Cabins

Robardajen Woods is a place full of Southern Hospitality that will carry you “back to the slower days of front porch living.”

Morganton, NC
#BurkeOut
Spring is in the air. #discoverburkecounty #naturesplayground #burkeout
Live View! #linvillegorge #burkeout
Third Thursday Cruiser tonight at @overmountaincycles Meet at the shop at 6pm for a leisurely cruise around Morganton. Don’t have a bike? Don’t sweat it! OMC can hook you up with a sweet bike rental, including this new E bike! #discoverburkecounty will be there and we hope you will be too! #burkeout
What an amazing way to start the day! Absolutely stunning image by @cathyandersonphoto #discoverburkecounty #naturesplayground #burkeout
So much character and charm to experience in @downtown_motown Check out this Beautiful capture of the #historicmorgantoncourthouse by @e.nicolas7 #morgantonnc #discoverburkecounty #natureplayground #magicalmorganton #smalltownusa #historicburkefoundation
With highs near 80° all weekend we are dreaming of our favorite swimming holes! Time to #BurkeOut in true summer fashion! 📸: @whiteblazemarketing #naturesplayground #swimminghole #naturebound #visitnc
Trail and area closures are in place as firefighters respond to a fire burning in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area on the US Forest Service Grandfather Ranger District in Burke County, NC. The Brushy Ridge fire was reported on Sunday afternoon. The fire is located in a remote area near the Linville River at the end of the Brushy Ridge trail on the northeast side of the Linville Gorge. The suspected cause of the fire is an abandoned campfire. The estimated size as of this morning is 5 acres. Firefighters hiked in last night to assess the fire and determine strategies for suppression. The fire is in a hard to reach location, 2.5 miles down into the Gorge. Firefighters returned this morning and are working to contain the fire to a small area. Additional resources are arriving on scene. Firefighters are dealing with steep terrain and thick vegetation as they search for control points. The US Forest Service has issued an emergency closure for the area within the Linville Gorge Wilderness north of the Hawksbill trail and east of the Linville River. This closure includes the Brushy Ridge Trail (TR #235), The Jonas Ridge Trail (TR #245) and the Devils Hole Trail (TR #244). Drone use is prohibited in the fire area. The Hawksbill Trail (TR #248) remains open at this time. Visitors in the Linville Gorge Area are asked to use caution, as firefighters will be using area roads to support suppression operations. Hikers can expect to see and smell smoke. Additional trail closures may be put in place if conditions change. The US Forest Service response effort is supported by the Jonas Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and the North Carolina Forest Service.
The fire is 100% contained! 🙌. All trails are open *except for Brushy Ridge*. Thank you to all that help project our beloved wilderness areas! Job well done! 📸 @nicholasreedmassey LEAVE NO TRACE, PUT OUT YOUR CAMPFIRES! #BurkeOut responsibly!