This page lists all of the things to see and do on the North Carolina side of Viking Mountain Lodge.

In order to use this guide, simply click on the button below each description that says, "Get Directions from VML" and your browser will open a new tab or window showing a detailed map and driving directions from the cabin as well as distance and approximate travel time.  

Clicking on the name or picture of the place you are interested in will take you the establishment's webpage providing additional information like hours of operation, menus, specials, and contact information. 

Keep in mind, there is no internet access or cell phone service at VML, so if there is anyplace on this page you'd like to go, please print these directions using the printer icon at the top of the map and take them with you to VML. 

 Downtown Hot Springs, NC

15.2 miles from VML, about 24 minutes

A quaint little mountain town boasting the only natural hot spring this side of the Mississippi and the place where the French Broad River and Appalachian trail cross.  There are numerous bars, restaurants, and shops along with a campground, the Hot Springs Resort & Spa, and Huck Finn Rafting Adventures all located on the main street.  The majority of these places are listed below with a description and directions.

 Big Laurel Creek 

6.7 miles from VML, about 12 minutes

Catch brook, brown, and rainbow trout all along this tributary of the French Broad.   There is a large gravel parking lot here with easy access to the water.  It's located about halfway between VML and Hot Springs.

 Laurel River Store

10.2 miles from VML, about 18 minutes

 Great little cafe featuring coffee, baked goods, and locally produced arts and crafts.  It's located right at the turn off for Hot Springs when coming from the cabin.

 Hot Springs Resort & Spa

15 miles from VML, about 24 minutes

Treat yourself to the luxurious hot tubs filled with mineral water from the only natural hot spring in the eastern United States.  The tubs are strategically located right on the bank of the French Broad River.  This is one of my favorite things to do after a long, grueling hike or whitewater rafting.  They offer massage and full spa service too.  The Spa is located on the main street in downtown Hot Springs.

Iron Horse Station Restaurant & Tavern 

15.1 miles from VML, about 21 minutes

Great food, cold beer, and a fantastic old fireplace. Located just off of the Appalachian Trail in downtown Hot Springs. 

 ArtiSUN Gallery & Marketplace

15.1 miles from VML, about 25 minutes

ArtiSUN is hip art gallery that features the works of local artists and craftsmen.  They also serve coffee, ice cream, and baked goods.  You can shop for jewelry, paintings, woodcarvings, glasswork and more in this shop located in the old Iron Horse Station in downtown Hot Springs.

Still Mountain Restaurant & Pub 

15.1 miles from VML, about 21 minutes

Still Mountain offers beer, live music, and a plethora of diverse food choices.  There's lots of outdoor seating directly on the main street in downtown Hot Springs.  As an added bonus, the building is a log cabin!

 Bluff Mountain Outfitters

15.3 miles from VML, about 25 minutes

An outdoor shop and shuttle service located directly on the Appalachian Trail in downtown Hot Springs. They stock all kinds of gear for camping, backpacking, and hiking and have a pretty substantial natural foods section too.  You can also pick t-shirts and other gifts to commemorate your trip to Hot Springs.  If you hike from the cabin to Hot Springs, Dan will drive you back for a small fee.  He can also take you up to Max Patch so that you can hike back into town. 

  Huck Finn Rafting Adventures

15.2 miles from VML, about 24 minutes

Huck Finn offers whitewater rafting, tubing, and float trips.  They are located directly on the main street in downtown Hot Springs.   Reservations can be made online through their website.

Spring Creek Tavern 

15.1 miles from VML, about 24 minutes

Spring Creek Tavern is a restaurant/bar located on the main street in downtown Hot Springs.  It's large covered deck with plenty of seating overlooks Spring Creek.  They have wood fired pizza on the menu and host live music most nights. 

Smoky Mountain Diner

15.3 miles from VML, about 25 minutes

This is a home style restaurant located in downtown Hot Springs on the Appalachian Trail. They have friendly staff and make a killer patty melt. They've got rocking chairs on the front porch and an outdoor seating area on the deck out back.

 French Broad Rafting & Ziplines 

16.3 miles from VML, about 26 minutes

Offering both whitewater rafting and ziplining, French Broad has got you covered for river fun and tree canopy adventure.  They are located just south of Hot Springs in Marshall, NC.  Visit their website to read about their packages and book online.

 Max Patch Mountain

32.9 miles from VML, about 1 hour 6 minutes

360 degree views from this awesome bald mountain along the Appalachian Trail just outside Hot Springs. It's about a 12.5 mile hike from downtown, and if you're interested in doing it, have Dan at Bluff Mountain Outfitters shuttle you up to the top.  Bring some chow and soak up the scenery before walking back to town.

 Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

43.9 miles from VML, about 1 hour 8 minutes

Wolf Ridge is a ski and snowboarding resort in the western North Carolina Mountains that caters to beginners and experts alike.  Check the website to view rates, season information, and hours of operation.

 Blue Ridge Parkway

45.5 miles from VML, about 59 minutes

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile, mostly two lane road that runs from Great Smoky Mountain National Park in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.  Well known for it's spectacular views, the parkway runs along the Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that's part of the Appalachian Mountains.