Mountain Landscapes
Chimney Rock
South Mountains
The South Mountains rise from the foothills just south of Morganton and encompass nearly 100,000 acres including portions of Rutherford, Burke, Cleveland, McDowell, Catawba, and Lincoln counties.
Photo by Aaron Dahlstrom.
When thinking of the natural wonders of western North Carolina, many people envision Chimney Rock. The towering spire rises from rocky cliffs and overlooks scenic Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure in western Rutherford County.
Linville Gorge and Lake James
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains of the Southern Appalachian Range are one of the most majestic, frequently visited, and well-known natural wonders of the eastern United States. Four of Foothills Conservancy’s eight service counties — Rutherford, McDowell, Burke and Caldwell — are home to the eastern slopes or escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains and give rise to the headwaters of the Broad, Catawba, and Yadkin rivers.
The picturesque views and clear mountain waters encountered during a visit to Lake James and the Linville Gorge National Wilderness Area are unparalleled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills region. Many of us visit, play, relax, or live in the area, and it is hard to imagine a more beautiful place deserving of permanent protection than the lands surrounding Lake James and the Linville Gorge.