On June 9, 2023, I was finally able to make it to Brasstown Bald for a night time hike. I headed out with a few friends around 9:00. We made the short but steep hike up to the viewing tower. It was surprisingly chilly for a June evening. Thankfully we all had jackets. It’s always cooler and windier at the top.
Around 9:30 or 10:00, we were able to see what looked like thousands of stars. It was pretty incredible to just lie down on our backs and look up at the unobstructed night sky. This has been on my list of things that I’ve wanted to do for a while. Even if you don’t consider yourself an outdoor person or a hiker, this is something that everyone can appreciate and enjoy.
On the drive there, we saw a bear. It was crossing the road in front of us and then walked into the woods on the side of the road. Between seeing the bear and the incredible sky, all four of us agreed this was a great night, and it was all free. If you go to Brasstown Bald during the day, there is a parking fee. At night, the park is officially closed but the gates are left open and you’re allowed to drive up with no parking fees.
If you’re looking for something simple, yet different and memorable, I highly recommend viewing the stars from here. It’s about a 40 minute drive from Freedom Finder and Memory Maker. The drive itself is beautiful as well. Make sure to pay attention to your surroundings. In addition to the bear crossing the road, there were a couple of coyotes and a deer.
Pack a flashlight, a jacket, and some water. Enjoy a million dollar view for free!