BestOf, Oak Creek Cabin

BEST OF – LOCAL TROUT FISHING

There are creeks, lakes and ponds all over beautiful high country. Depending on what you are looking for the perfect fishing spot isn’t too far from Oak Creek Cabin. If you ask the locals where the best trout fishing is they will tell you to head over to the Watauga River. This is one of the farthest spots from our house but it could make for a great family day trip with a fun local park for the kids and The Mass General Store all within close proximity.

Recommended by the locals:
Valle Crucis Park on the Watauga River – ~30 minutes from the cabin
Species of Fish: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout
Shore Accessible Only
Address:
2918 Broadstone Rd.
Valle Crucis, NC 28691

Closest spot to our cabin:
Roby Shomaker Park on the North Toe River- ~5 minutes from the cabin
Species of Fish: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout
Shore, Pier, & Handicap Accessible
Directions:
Railroad Rd.
Newland, NC 28657

All in-one fishing experience:
Grandfather Trout Farm
Species of Fish: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Redbreast Sunfish
Address:
10767 Highway 105 S,
Banner Elk, NC 28604828

Additional Info on NC trout fishing here: https://www.visitnc.com/story/uySP/mountain-trout-fishing-in-western-north-carolina

NC Trout Varieties: https://www.ourstate.com/mountain-trout/

For more details on licenses, catch limits and seasons see the NC Wildlife page here: https://www.ncwildlife.org/learning/species/fish/trout/trout-fishing

Best Of – Local Snow Tubing

Posted 2 years ago by oakcreekcabin

Best Of – Local SNOW TUBING

Check out our list on best snow tubing options in the local area. Our list contains places within ~30 minute drive of Oak Creek Cabin visiting mountains such as Sugar, Beech, and Appalachian Ski Resort.

What you should know:

There are 4 snow tubing options in the area ranging from 15 minutes away to 35
minutes away from our cabin.
All 4 places have conveyer belts to whisk you back up the hill so you can do multiple
runs.
Tubing is for everyone age 3+
Hawksnest is the only operation that allows your small children to ride in the tube with you.
 Beech and Sugar Mountain have discounted weekday rates.
 Jonas Ridge offers kids rate and adult rates.
 Advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended for all tubing experiences.

Hawksnest – $35 – The largest snow tubing operation in the area with 30 lanes. All participants
must purchase a ticket but little ones can ride in the tube with their parents. ~30 minutes from
the cabin

https://hawksnesttubing.com

Sugar Mountain – $33-$40 – They offer both daytime and nighttime tubing under the lights.
Check out the ice skating rink or skiing options as well for an additional fee. The lodge is close
by, so hot cocoa, snacks, and even beers are easy to find after your time in the snow. ~20
minutes from the cabin

http://www.skisugar.com/tubing/

Beech Mountain – $32-$38 -This is the newest snow tubing run in the area. The runs are extra
long and have small moguls. While you are there enjoy the other activities at the ski village like
shops, restaurants, and the nearby brewery. Note, the road to the top of Beech Mountain is
very curvy and steep, 4WD is highly recommended. ~35 minutes from the cabin

https://www.beechmountainresort.com/mountain/tubing/

Jonas Ridge – Adult $30, Kids $20 – This is the closest most affordable option. They do require
kids to have their own tube but encourage parents to hold onto the tubes of their kids as they
go down the hill. This is a smaller operation but still lots of fun. ~15 minutes from the cabin

https://jonasridgesnowtube.com/

Best Of – Local Things To Do – Fall

Posted 2 years ago by oakcreekcabin

Best Of – Local Things To Do Fall

Check out our list of fun things to do in the area. Our list contains places within ~30 minute drive of Oak Creek Cabin visiting cities such as Boone, Banner Elk, Linville Falls, Elk Park, Roan Mountain, Blowing Rock and Grandfather.

Grandfather Mountain – NC largest attraction, amazing biodiversity and scenic beauty that towers 5,946 feet and is 300 million years old!

https://grandfather.com/

Fall Foliage – Enjoy the dramatic displays of fall foliage as you drive the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway

https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/

Altapass Apple Orchard – Apple Picking, Hayrides, Live Blue Grass

https://www.altapassorchard.org/

Harvest Pumpkin Farm in Valle Crucis – Pumpkin patch, corn maze, Hayrides

https://harvestfarmwnc.com/

Apple Hill Alpaca Farm Tours

https://seesugar.com/apple-hill-farm/

Laurels Pumpkin Barn – Pick your own pumpkin

https://laurelspumpkinbarn.com/

Sugar Mountain Ski Lifts – Enjoy the peak fall foliage in an open air ski lift

https://seesugar.com/summer-bike-lift/

Local Festivals

Newland Fall Harvest Festival – Typically the first Saturday in October (Free to attend)

Sugar Mountain Oktoberfest – Typically the second weekend in October (Free to attend)

Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk – Typically the third weekend in October (~$6/adults, $4/children to attend)

Posted 3 years ago by oakcreekcabin

Best Of – Local WINERIES, BREWERIES, & BOTTLE SHOPS

Below is a list of our favorite local wineries, breweries and bottle shops.

Linville Falls Winery — https://www.linvillefallswinery.com/

Grandfather Vineyard & Winery — https://www.grandfathervineyard.com/

Lost Province Brewery in Downtown Boone (Great Pizza too!, 35 mins away) — https://www.lostprovince.com/

Peabody’s Wine and Beer Merchant — https://www.peabodyswineandbeer.com/

Best Of – Local Things To Do With Kids

Posted 3 years ago by oakcreekcabin

Best Of – Local THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS

With our own creek and trail the kids should have plenty to do here at Oak Creek Cabin. If you feel like venturing out here are a few of our favorites.

Easy hiking trials include Elk River Falls and Roan Mountain Riverside Trails.

Tweetsie Railroad – Wild West theme park adventure

https://tweetsie.com/

Mast General Store Annex Candy Shop

https://www.mastgeneralstore.com/vallecrucis

Downtown Banner Elk Tate-Evans Park

http://www.townofbannerelk.org/recreation/town-parks

Downtown Blowing Rock Park

https://www.visitnc.com/listing/XgQQ/blowing-rock-memorial-park