Black Mountain: Walking Trails, Water and Culture

When looking for a hotel in Black Mountain, you can plan your stay around the interests that matter to you: walking trails and water, art and local history, or a seasonal market. The places and activities below offer some specific ideas to help you plan.

Walking Trails and Water

Lake Tomahawk Park covers 16.3 acres in a central location in Black Mountain. The park’s walking trail is 0.55 miles long, and non-motorized boats are allowed on the park’s water. This brings together a range of interests: a walk and non-motorized boating.

A 4.4-mile stretch of the Swannanoa River is classified as Black Mountain Mountain Heritage Trout Water. If you’re planning to fish on the river, check the fishing season and applicable regulations before your trip.

Flat Creek Trail is paved and level, with interpretive signs about streambank restoration. At Black Mountain Veterans Park, a relatively flat loop runs around the playing fields and connects Oaks Trail with Community Garden Trail. The trail information emphasizes different details: Lake Tomahawk’s trail length is specified, the Flat Creek Trail’s surface and grade are described, and the connection between two trails is noted at Veterans Park.

Art and History

Black Mountain Center for the Arts welcomes visitors to a historic building that was formerly Black Mountain City Hall. The Center offers classes for all ages in music, theater, dance and visual arts. Individual class offerings may change, so check in advance which classes are available during your visit. Exhibitions in the Upper Gallery take place year-round and are free to the public. Their content may change.

Swannanoa Valley Museum is housed in the former Black Mountain firehouse. Richard Sharp Smith, the chief architect of Biltmore Estate, designed and built the building in 1921. The museum’s Haunted History Walking Tour passes through Black Mountain’s historic downtown district. Check the scheduled tour dates before your trip.

Market and Sourwood Honey

Black Mountain Tailgate Market is a seasonal community market. Its offerings include organically and sustainably grown fruits and vegetables, plants, cut flowers and herbs, as well as locally produced meat, seafood, bread, baked goods, cheese and eggs, and locally handcrafted products. Farmers, food producers and artisans can sell their goods directly to consumers there. If you’re planning specifically around the market, check the seasonal details in advance, as they may change.

A festival celebrates local sourwood honey with arts and crafts, music and food vendors. Its tradition dates back to 1977. If the festival is the reason for your trip, check future dates in advance.

Explore more destinations: Weaverville, Asheville, Candler, Swannanoa, Arden, Leicester

Return to the regional travel overview: Buncombe.