Oct 13, 2026
Black Bear Basics
Gorges State Park – Grassy Ridge Access & Visitor Center, Sapphire, NC
Black Bear Basics is a short ranger program on Tuesday, October 13, from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. at…
Family Outdoor EventsView event: Black Bear Basics
Events in Western NC
52 upcoming events
Festivals, fairs, ranger programs and outdoor events in the mountains around our campgrounds. Dates and details can change, so confirm with the organizer before you go.
October 2026
Oct 13, 2026
Pumpkin Carving
Grandfather Mountain State Park, Banner Elk, NC
A ranger hosts Pumpkin Carving on Tuesday, October 13, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Profile Parking…
Ranger ProgramsView event: Pumpkin Carving
Oct 15–31, 2026
Legendary Fears: Spearfinger’s Awakening
Oconaluftee Indian Village, Cherokee, NC
Legendary Fears: Spearfinger’s Awakening runs on select nights this fall at Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee: October 15-17,…
Local FestivalsView event: Legendary Fears: Spearfinger’s Awakening
Oct 15–31, 2026
Legendary Fears: The Sgili (Ghost) Hunt
Mountainside Theatre, Cherokee, NC
Legendary Fears: The Sgili (Ghost) Hunt runs on select nights this fall at Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee: October…
Local FestivalsView event: Legendary Fears: The Sgili (Ghost) Hunt
Oct 16–17, 2026
Cherokee Fall Rod Run
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds, Cherokee, NC
The Cherokee Fall Rod Run is a two-day vintage vehicle show on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October…
Local FestivalsView event: Cherokee Fall Rod Run
Oct 16, 2026
Outdoor Cooking
Bear Paw State Natural Area, Banner Elk, NC
Outdoor Cooking is a ranger program on Friday, October 16, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Bear Paw…
Camping EventsView event: Outdoor Cooking
Oct 17–18, 2026
Lake Lure Fall Arts and Crafts Festival
Adjacent to Lake Lure Inn, Lake Lure, NC
The Lake Lure Fall Arts and Crafts Festival fills the grounds next to the Lake Lure Inn on…
Outdoor FestivalsView event: Lake Lure Fall Arts and Crafts Festival
Oct 17, 2026
Valle Country Fair
The Valle Country Fair is a fall fair in Valle Crucis on Saturday, October 17, 2026, described by…
Local FestivalsView event: Valle Country Fair
Oct 17–18, 2026
Woolly Worm Festival
The Woolly Worm Festival fills Banner Elk with family fun on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18,…
Outdoor FestivalsView event: Woolly Worm Festival
Oct 17, 2026
Pumpkin Fest
Downtown Franklin, Franklin, NC
Franklin's 30th Annual PumpkinFest takes over downtown Franklin on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4…
Outdoor FestivalsView event: Pumpkin Fest
Oct 17, 2026
38th Apple Harvest Festival
Main Street, Waynesville, NC
The 38th Apple Harvest Festival is a street festival on Saturday, October 17, from 10:00 AM to 5:00…
Outdoor FestivalsView event: 38th Apple Harvest Festival
Oct 17, 2026
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area’s 70th Birthday
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, West Jefferson, NC
NC State Parks celebrates Mount Jefferson State Natural Area's 70th Birthday on Saturday, October 17, from 11:30 a.m.…
Family Outdoor EventsView event: Mount Jefferson State Natural Area’s 70th Birthday
Western NC at a glance
71 campgrounds