Wilkes: Granite, Trails and Music History

Wilkes brings together striking natural features and music and regional history. Stone Mountain State Park, located in Wilkes and Alleghany counties, is home to a 600-foot granite dome designated a National Natural Landmark. At W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, water sports, wildlife and trails come together in the surrounding landscape. Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro complement these natural attractions with museums, music and events.

Granite, Water and Trails

The 1,475-acre W. Kerr Scott Reservoir offers opportunities for boating, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. White-tailed deer, black bears and cottontail rabbits live in the hills around the reservoir. So there is more to enjoy by the water than a variety of activities—the landscape is also shaped by the surrounding hills.

The trails vary in length, character and activity. The six-mile Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail has a trailhead at Bandits Roost Campground. The family-friendly Call Farm Loop combines agricultural landscapes with the scenery of the foothills. By contrast, the Dark Mountain Trail is known for its challenging singletrack: this nationally rated mountain biking trail system features many miles of such trails. The Yadkin River Greenway in Wilkesboro is suitable for walking, cycling and running along riverbanks and wooded paths. This gives you a range of options—from trails through agricultural landscapes to routes along riverbanks and challenging mountain biking trails.

Music, Museums and Regional History

The Old Wilkes County Courthouse now houses the Wilkes Heritage Museum. The Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame is part of the Wilkes Heritage Museum in historic downtown Wilkesboro. Through its exhibits and an annual celebration honoring its inductees, it shares the music history of the Blue Ridge as well as the stories of musicians from the region. At MerleFest, numerous artists perform on twelve stages over the four-day event. The music scene ranges from regional history and exhibits to a multi-day festival.

The Overmountain Victory Trail also has a direct connection to Wilkesboro: there, the trail follows a historic route from the American Revolutionary War. North Wilkesboro Speedway offers another glimpse into regional history. Its first race took place on May 18, 1947, on a 5/8-mile dirt oval, before NASCAR was founded. After an extensive restoration, the speedway returned to the NASCAR Cup Series schedule on May 21, 2023, and hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race in Wilkes County.

Fall Festivals and Apple Harvest

Every year in September, Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery hosts Festa Italiana during the third week of September. Wine, food, music and Italian-inspired culture are all part of the celebration. The annual Brushy Mountain Apple Festival takes place on the first Saturday in October in North Wilkesboro, celebrating the apple harvest from the nearby Brushy Mountains. Visitors can drink apple cider and sample dishes made with apples; handcrafted goods such as pottery and baskets are also part of the festival. Check the exact festival date before your trip. On weekends in September and October, Perry Lowe Orchards, on the border between Wilkes and Alexander counties, offers apples for picking.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

When choosing a hotel, it helps to first sort out your travel interests: nature trails, music history, motorsports or a visit centered on the fall festivals each offers a different focus. This way, you can choose a hotel that suits the experiences you want to shape your stay in Wilkes.

Discover more destinations: Wilkesboro, Chatham County, Burke County, Buncombe, Henderson, Rutherford County, Greene County, Lenoir.

For the broader travel overview: North Carolina.