Beauty Spot on Unaka Mountain
Located on a lower bump of Unaka Mountain, the Beauty Spot is known for its stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Tennessee and North Carolina mountains. The Appalachian Trail passes right over the top giving views for 10 minutes while hiking (a rare treat). But the thing that makes Beauty Spot great is that you can camp anywhere on this grassy knoll. The highest part of Unaka Mountain is forested so if it is stormy, the camps on the summit of Unaka are also nice, a spooky Spruce-fir forest.
WillhiteWeb.com
Beauty Spot
Elevation: 4,438 feet
Prominence: 119 prom
I stopped early this day (5 p.m.) because this site was just too good to pass up. A few other AT hikers did the same right after I got my tent up. There is also pretty good access for day hikers here so we had some visitors on foot and mountain bikes arrive for sunset. There is a gravel parking area not far off the trail but I think it was still closed for the season when I was there.
My Visit:
Unaka Mountain
Elevation: 5,170 feet
Prominence: 1,459 feet
Someone camping on Unaka Mountain summit
Camping on top of Beauty Spot
Camping on top of Beauty Spot
Beauty Spot with Unaka Mountain in the distance
Looking East to the sunrise over Roan High Knob. By nightfall, in 24 miles I would camp there.
Spruce trees on Unaka Mountain summit.
City lights from Beauty Spot
Evening from Beauty Spot
Evening from Beauty Spot
One of the few times I used my flip flops before I ditched them.
Fellow hikers enjoying the sunset with me
This is the Appalachian Trail as it climbs to the top of Beauty Spot.
Open slope of Beauty Spot
Celo Knob from Beauty Spot
FarOut app showing route over Beauty Spot and where the nearest water is located.
To Unaka
Mountain