Blue Ridge
Things to do in Banner Elk
Things to do in Banner Elk, North Carolina: public beaches, parks, and landmarks. Unchecked businesses stay off the list.
Last updated October 15, 2026.
Woolly Worm Festival
A long-running October festival of woolly bear caterpillar races. Local lore treats the 13 bands on the winning caterpillar as a folklore forecast for 13 weeks of High Country winter. The festival traces that public race to 1978. The Town of Banner Elk and woollyworm.com both list October 17 and 18, 2026, at Historic Banner Elk School, 185 Azalea Circle. Hours are Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival's own FAQ lists admission at $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6 to 12, and free for age 5 and under. Yes, the forecast comes from a caterpillar. That's the charm.
Lees-McRae College and Wildcat Lake
The college maintains Wildcat Lake for swimming, fishing, and picnics. Swimming is a summer season. Fishing requires a North Carolina fishing license. The lake is a local outing, not a backcountry lake. Current hours, fees, and the pet rule are on the college's page. On a hot afternoon you can hear kids before you see the water.
Sugar Mountain Resort
The nearby ski area, in the Town of Sugar Mountain. Winter sports in season, plus warm-weather recreation the resort publishes on its own calendar. The slopes are next door. The town line still matters. Check the resort for current hours, ticket prices, and which summer activities are running.
Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls
The two classic day trips. Use the state park for hiking and the separate attraction if you want the swinging bridge. Linville Falls is a Parkway waterfall, loud enough to end an argument about where to walk.