You know that piece of gear? The one you reach for hike after hike, season after season. It's spectacularly simple, beautifully functional, and has just the right amount of soul to make it unforgettable. That... is a legendary piece of gear.…

Whether you're just getting started hiking or trying to take your outdoor skills to the next level, figuring out what gear you really need can be a challenge. Fortunately our team of experts have tried it all. Seriously, you should see our gear…

Kiss gifting stress goodbye! Our team of experts has put together a list of gifts that are sure to wow with options for every budget. Gifts $20 and UnderSmall budget? No worries! These gifts are sure to make your buds feel special. They…

Whether your festival of choice is art, music, food, or a little of everything, it's hard to beat crisp fall weather and a day of enjoying the outdoors with like minded people. But the right gear can make your festy experience event better.From…

Devils Fork State State Park is best known for the beautiful Lake Jocassee. But even if you don’t have a boat, there's still plenty to do. Bear Cove Trail takes you out to the point of a cove on the lake. It’s a great place for a mid-hike…

Have you heard about Bears Bees + Brews? This grassroots community project was founded when a local resident decided to do something about the heated issue of urban black bears in western North Carolina. This nonprofit project seeks to inspire…

As a dog mom, I know how important it is to find safe, accessible, and dog friendly hikes. Dexter, my two year old golden retriever, is just as passionate about getting outdoors as I am! We go on a lot of adventures together, and thankfully…

The sunny days and balmy temps that we've been enjoying this month have us itching for a relaxing day on the water. Fortunately, the Greenville area is full of beautiful lakes, rivers, and even has a fantastic blueway. Here are three…

If you've looked for hiking footwear recently, no doubt you've noticed a dizzying array of options. Here's a quick guide to finding the right shoe for your foot in five easy steps.Which shoe type fits your terrain and hiking style?…

Tucked away in Marietta, SC at Jones Gap State Park, is an immensely beautiful 125' waterfall, Falls Creek Falls. The 1.7 mile out and back hike is strenuous as it ascends approximately 600 feet with a few flat stretches thrown in the mix.…

This one is for all the local history buffs out there! This hike takes you past the ruins of Rattlesnake lodge, built in 1904 as a summer retreat for Dr. Chase P. Ambler and his family. Dr. Ambler was an avid forest conservationist and is regarded…

Looking for a hike that's short enough to do in an afternoon, but challenging enough to keep the crowds at bay? You might want to give Frugal Backpacker Greenville Staffer, Marie's favorite hike a try - Rainbow Falls. Located in Jones Gap State…

As a family owned business, we believe in supporting the people who are working hard to make our communities better places. This holiday season, we’re excited to partner with two great organizations, Eblen Charities and Carolina High, to keep…

What better way to reward a vigorous effort on the trail—or up a summit—than by sitting back and soaking up the serenity of one of nature’s most beautiful shows? Fortunately, Knoxville has plenty of gorgeous sunset hikes right in its…

Imagine unloading your kayak or canoe and setting up camp on an island in the middle of a mountain lake. A brilliant Carolina sunset reflects on crystal clear water as you finish tying off your hammock. Or maybe you’ve reached a coastal…

The nearly 3,500 wild acres of Elk Knob State Park, which includes the second highest peak in Watauga County, was nearly lost to developers in the early part of the 21st century. The area was being considered for the construction of a summer…

In the heart of the Shining Rock Wilderness, high atop the Great Balsam Mountains, stands a peak of other-worldly beauty. Locals consider Shining Rock to be the “crown jewel” of the Appalachians. An elaborate network of Quartzite Rock…

Intro Art Loeb was a man who “deeply loved these mountains.” If you travel to the highest point on the trail bearing his namesake you will see a weathered plaque commemorating these words. On a clear day, from this high point, you will…

Intro Unique features are scatted throughout the Smoky Mountains, from deep valleys with quick rivers to steep summits with rocky slopes. Trails that explore this Appalachian diversity will stick in your memory and keep you searching for…

In a corner of the state inundated with undulating mountain chains and punctuated with soaring summits that include a generous number of 6,000-foot peaks, Yellow Mountain is far from western North Carolina’s loftiest summit at 5,127 feet…

Intro DuPont State Recreational Forest is a beautiful 10,000-acre outdoor playground in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With roughly 80 miles of multi-use trails meandering through dense forests, alongside mountain lakes, and next to cascading…

The Boone Fork Trail is renowned not only for the sultry beauty of the mountains it passes through but also the range of ever-changing terrain that one will encounter on this dynamic five-mile loop. The hike begins and ends in Julian Price…

Across the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, miles of interconnected trails meander through lush, green valleys, hug the banks of moss-laden, rocky creeks, and climb through thickets of mountain laurel and rhododendron to the blue-tinged…

Tubing the French Broad River is a quintessential Asheville experience, one which combines languid, fluvial enjoyment with artistic urban charm. You will float through forests, breeze past breweries, and find ample opportunity to shore…

The Blue Ridge Mountains are a paradise in the summer, alive with flowers and fireflies. But the blazing heat can sometimes feel brutal, driving many people indoors to the comfort of air conditioning. There's no reason to stay cooped up…

As summer temps heat up, we're always looking for refreshing hikes to help beat the heat. Moore Cove Falls offers beautiful scenery, solitude, and a great spot to cool off. You can even walk behind the cascading falls - how cool is that?Distance:…

On those days when you'd like to get a decent hike in, but don't have time to head too far out of town, head to the Bent Creek area and give this gentle loop a try.Difficulty: EasyDistance: 6-mile loopMap: USGS Bent Creek and SkylandDirections:…

With its namesake springs and abundance of incredible hikes, Hot Springs is the perfect spot to sneak away to for a daycation. Of course, the perfect way to start a day in Hot Springs is with a hike to Lover's Leap, a stunning rock outcropping…

When I have limited time, but am in the mood for a nice solo hike, I invariably turn to my childhood stomping grounds - the Carl Sandburg home. This lovely gem in Flat Rock offers the perfect balance of solitude and safety, lovely views, and…

Max Patch is just one of those hikes that everyone should try to do at some point in their life. It is one of the largest maintained balds in the Southern Appalachian mountain range and boasts incredible 360-degree views of equally beautiful…

An iconic rock formation in the northern section of Pisgah National Forest, Table Rock is a surprisingly moderate hike and great fun to explore. You will enjoy spectacular views of Linville Gorge and the surrounding peaks.Difficulty: ModerateDistance:…

The trail to Hawksbill is 1.5 mile out and back to one of the dominant peaks overlooking the beautiful Linville Gorge. At the summit, you will sit 2000 feet above the valley floor and its winding Linville River. On low haze days you can even…

Even after 54 years, the spirit of the mountains we call home continues to amaze. We issued a challenge to collect 300 coats during our annual Bundle Up for Good coat drive for Eblen Charities. You helped us blow past that goal by donating…

Last year, you helped us get over 200 coats to those in our community who need them most. This year, we’ve set a goal of 300 coats for Eblen Charities and you can score a discount for doing good.November 12-December 24, you’ll…

Your opportunity to experience a rare total solar eclipse in western North Carolina arrives on Monday, August 21. To make sure you’re prepared and packed for totality, the experts at Frugal Backpacker have assembled this helpful checklist.…

The struggle is real. Between busy schedules and the prevalence of digital entertainment, fewer and fewer kids are spending any significant time outside. Sadly, we’re seeing the results in the form of rising rates of obesity, depression, and…

We’ve partnered with our friends at Asheville Trails and Diamond Brand Outdoors for the WNC Trail Triple Crown Challenge.Visit Frugal Backpacker or any Diamond Brand Outdoors location to check out the awesome new Asheville Trails…

We're all too familiar with the winter challenge of trying to squeeze in a quick after-work hike before the sun sets. That's why we're always happy to find an enjoyable but relatively close to town hike like Mount Pisgah, that's. A 3-mile round…

One thing we’ve found to be almost invariably true is that people who love the outdoors also love food. Food is, after all, one of life’s pleasures, and is rarely appreciated more than when you can dig into a hot and satisfying meal around…

We truly live in an outdoor paradise. WNC offers hundreds of beautiful hiking trails and breathtaking overlooks. But to make the most out of your adventure, it’s vital to be well prepared and think about a few essentials for a rewarding (and…