Authentically Alleghany

06/11/2026

WE ARE FINALISTS! It was truly an honor to be nominated for Blue Ridge Country's "Best of the Mountains"!

GO VOTE, vote, vote! 🗳️✅

WE ARE FINALISTS! It was truly an honor to be nominated for Blue Ridge Country's "Best of the Mountains" in the categories of Best Events: Arts & Crafts Show and Best Events: Heritage & Culture Festival. But now we've been notified that we are finalists in the voting - so don't delay, vote again today! And again tomorrow - let's unashamedly stuff those ballot boxes!

https://link.bestof.vote/6a22d9e27a7bc20767bb0fd0

We want to thank everyone for voting for us, but we noticed there are a lot of Sparta area finalists, so to be sure you get to vote for all of them. After you click the above link to vote for us you'll be taken to the main contest page and you'll see a link for voting on the central Blue Ridge area (TN-NC) - that's the one to click on to see all the categories; lots of great Sparta destinations in there including the Alleghany Historical - Genealogical Society, Inc., Sparta Candle Co., Alleghany Arts and Crafts, Doughton Park, The Blue Ridge Parkway, and more!

VOTING PERIOD
Nomination Round: April 23 - June 1st, 2026
Finalist Round: June 10th - July 12th, 2026

06/10/2026

Be beary, beary quiet 🤫
Keep your eyes open for our big furry friends. 🐻

They mean no harm. They live here too! Well before any of us.

🐻 BEAR ACTIVITY ALERT 🐻

The Alleghany County Sheriff's Office has received an increase in bear-related complaints throughout the county in recent weeks. Sheriff Glenn contacted the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and they have provided resources to help residents safely coexist with black bears.

Bears are often attracted to easy food sources around homes. Residents are encouraged to:

• Secure trash and garbage containers
• Remove bird feeders when bears are active
• Never feed or approach bears
• Avoid leaving pet food outdoors
• Clean grills and outdoor cooking areas regularly
• Secure livestock feed and other attractants
• Be mindful when letting your pets outside, especially during the early morning and nighttime hours when bears are most active.

For additional bear safety information and prevention tips, visit:

🐻 BearWise:
www.BearWise.org

If you are experiencing wildlife-related property damage, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission recommends contacting your district biologist through the following link:

🦌 NC Wildlife District Biologists:
https://www.ncwildlife.gov/wildlife-management/wmdistrictbiologistcontactspdf/open

For wildlife conflict assistance, the NC Wildlife Helpline can also be reached at 866-318-2401 during normal business hours.

The Alleghany County Sheriff's Office appreciates your help in keeping both our residents and North Carolina's wildlife safe. If you encounter an emergency situation involving a bear that presents an immediate threat to human safety, please call 911.

06/06/2026

HAPPY National Trails Day!
🥾
Alleghany is home to over 15 beautiful designated hiking trails, offering miles of terrain ranging from easy woodland loops to rugged mountain peaks and treks.

Our area features prominent trailheads connected to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Doughton Park, and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

If you’re a true “spirited” hiker, you can hike up here from Stone Mountain State Park. We dare ya! Quite a climb.

Find out what trail best suits you here!
https://www.spartatrails.org/trails
Alleghany Sparta Trail Association

Pictured below is Doughton Park - Mountains-to-Sea Trail
By Joanna L Davis

06/03/2026

🎭 

Save the Date: A Night for the Arts

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening celebrating creativity, community, and the arts.

Join us on Thursday, October 8, 2026 for A Night for the Arts, the Alleghany Arts Council’s annual fundraising event.

This special evening will bring together supporters, artists, community leaders, and friends of the arts for a memorable night dedicated to strengthening and growing the arts in Alleghany County.

More details, ticket information, sponsorship opportunities, and event announcements will be shared in the coming months.

For now, save the date and plan to join us for a night of inspiration, connection, and celebration.

Thursday, October 8, 2026
A Night for the Arts

06/03/2026

Another beauty, shot from Glade Valley!

This is Pilot Mountain at sunrise from my front porch in Glade Valley, NC. Some interesting facts about this iconic peak:
Thomas Jefferson’s father helped survey Pilot Mountain in 1751. The mountain was once privately owned and became a tourist trap until the state took it over in 1968 and made it a public park. For centuries this solitary mountain served as a navigational guide for Native Americans and European settlers traveling the Great Wagon Road.

06/03/2026

This Saturday! Join the fun! 🤩

06/03/2026

She hugs back. 🥰🫶🏾

The Hugging Tree has finally leafed out on Bluff Mountain Trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

06/01/2026

There is a new opportunity to lease Bluffs Lodge!

The Blue Ridge Parkway announced today a leasing opportunity for the Bluffs Lodge, a historic motor lodge located at milepost 241.1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Laurel Springs, N.C. The Request for Proposals process invites interested individuals, businesses and organizations to submit proposals for the rehabilitation and long‑term operation of this property. This is the first step in restoring this key visitor service.

Interested parties can access the RFP and related key dates at the Request for Proposals page on the NPS website. To learn more about upcoming site visit opportunities, interested parties should contact [email protected].

Completed in 1950, the Bluffs Lodge is a two-structure, two-story facility originally used as a 24-room hotel. The approximately 8000-square-feet facility has been vacant since 2010 and requires maintenance and repair.

The historic Bluffs Lodge is located at Doughton Park in north-western North Carolina, 21 miles southwest of the Virginia state line. This mountainous 6300-acre area on the Parkway is located in both Wilkes and Alleghany Counties. Between the late 1930s and mid-1950s, a total of 225 acres were developed to provide visitor services in the area. These visitor service facilities included Doughton Park Campground, Bluffs Coffee Shop, the Bluffs Lodge, Bluffs Picnic Area, Brinegar Cabin and local Parkway maintenance and office areas.

All questions related to this RFP should be directed to the Parkway’s commercial services office at [email protected]. See less