Discover Bakersville: Trails, Culture and Festival

Bakersville brings together nature, local history and crafts with an annual festival. As you plan your trip, you can consider the section of Cane Creek classified as Bakersville Mountain Heritage Trout Water, Paulus Path, the Creek Walk, the McBee Museum and the Penland School of Craft campus as different themes. If you’re looking for a hotel in Bakersville, you can first decide whether trails, culture or the NC Rhododendron Festival will shape your stay. The festival date is a planning factor in its own right. For trails and cultural sites, their duration, terrain and history can help with planning your day.

Trails and waterways

The out-and-back walk on Paulus Path takes one to one and a half hours. The trail also connects with other marked trails. The round-trip time provides a concrete reference point for planning your day.

The Creek Walk is a 0.6-mile paved greenway with accessible fishing piers and a pavilion. By comparison, Paulus Path offers a timeframe for the out-and-back walk, while the Creek Walk’s length and surface provide the planning reference. Here, walking and fishing come together.

A 0.5-mile section of Cane Creek is classified as Bakersville Mountain Heritage Trout Water and is a delayed-harvest trout water. If fishing is one of your travel interests, this waterway classification offers a distinct connection to nature alongside the trails.

Local history at the McBee Museum

The McBee Museum is housed in a historic building in downtown Bakersville dating to the 1890s. The house originally served as Dr. Prestwood’s medical office. This brings two uses together in one specific building: its current use as a museum and its former medical function. For a trip focused on local history, this connection offers a clearly defined theme.

Crafts on the Penland School of Craft campus

The Penland School of Craft campus offers a self-guided tour featuring historic buildings, artist installations, studio visits, a café and an art supplies store. This brings together several interests in one offering: you can focus on the historic buildings and installations, include studio visits, or enjoy the café and store as part of the campus experience.

Penland Gallery & Visitors Center

The Penland Gallery & Visitors Center is located at 3135 Conley Ridge Rd, Bakersville, NC 28705. If you’re planning a visit, check the opening hours before you set out.

NC Rhododendron Festival

The NC Rhododendron Festival takes place every year on the third weekend in June. The program includes an arts and crafts market with food vendors, activities for children and live music throughout the day.

Discover more destinations: Spruce Pine

Go to the main travel overview: Mitchell County.