Randy Johnson

Randy Johnson
Feb 2024
Exploring the national parks of Western North Carolina

Nov 2023
Western North Carolina’s clear skies offer plenty of sites to catch an amazing, unpolluted view of the cosmos. Check out these epic locations to view the night sky, along with tips and resources for stargazing hobbyists.

Sep 2023
The life and legacy of celebrated bluegrass musician Earl Scruggs gets a standing ovation in his native Shelby

Sep 2023
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jun 2023
North Carolina celebrates the Year of the Trail

Mar 2023
Western North Carolina is a roadtripper’s dream

Dec 2022
WNC’s guide to camping out during nature’s starkest season

Dec 2022
The reimagined and revitalized Southern metropolis of our northern neighbor

Aug 2022
Elk Knob is a towering, meadow-topped peak more than a mile high and conveniently close to Boone

Jun 2022
A mountain man who led the way to our outdoor life

May 2022
Grandfather Mountain touts newest enhancement to environmental education

Mar 2022
The game-changing Nantahala Outdoor Center turns 50

Dec 2021
Even in the depths of the cold season, these lower-elevation routes keep the wheels turning

Aug 2021
Banner Elk’s LP on Main rebrands and expands its enduring reputation in a new location

Aug 2021
High Country gallery shines in autumn group exhibition

Dec 2020
Indoors and out, there’s no shortage of options for family fun in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

Dec 2020
Find great shopping, dining, and family-friendly skiing in the quaint village of Blowing Rock

Dec 2020
Eastern America’s highest town is all about snow play

Dec 2020
A former instructor offers tips on learning to ski and snowboard

Sep 2020
Banner Elk’s new Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster offers downhill thrills

Sep 2020
Daniel Boone Scout Trail

Aug 2019
The time’s right to take in this small town’s elevated offerings

Aug 2019
25 fall foliage adventures that are big on color and light on crowds

Jun 2019
Distance: 4.2 miles round-trip - Difficulty: moderate

Apr 2019
Driving down memory lane along the High Country’s first scenic byway

Apr 2019
A visionary effort to create a statewide trail has been 40 years in the making. With the path now finished in Western North Carolina and a groundswell of support rising in the East, the completion of North Carolina’s most monumental natural treasure is on the horizon.

Feb 2018
A new trail guide puts mountain flower hikes into lovely focus

Dec 2017
Asheville’s Shoji Spa & Lodge offers Japanese wellness without the frequent flyer miles

Dec 2017
Chill out with outdoor activities as well as indoor fun and games

Dec 2017
Adventure seekers, nature lovers, kids, adults, grandparents: We’ve got your ultimate guide to seasonal fun in the mountains

Aug 2017
Holloway Meadow Loop

Jun 2017
Distance: 7.6 miles round-trip; Difficulty: Strenuous

Jun 2017
Tweetsie Railroad celebrates 60 years as a kingpin of mountain family tourism

Feb 2017
Great hiking routes in the town of Seven Devils

Dec 2016
25 new, novel, and fun ways to get in shape

Oct 2016
Distance: 2.5 miles round-trip, Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Apr 2016
After a century of state parks, Western North Carolina’s are more popular than ever

Apr 2016
The winding route to Plumtree through far western Avery County on U.S. 19 East is the very definition of a road trip. It’s the kind of byway most people would take only if this out-of-the-way hamlet were the destination itself. But for fans of beer and scenic beauty, a thriving brewery and a cluster of outdoor options are enticing reasons to tour the North Toe River valley’s flower-filled fields.

Dec 2015
Check in to these lodges where après-ski combines a room, dining, and drinks