Appalachian Trail hikers boost seasonal tourism in Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a tiny mountain community at the confluence of the French Broad River and Spring Creek. For centuries, this community surrounded by Pisgah National Forest has been famous for the reputed healing powers of its mineral-rich hot springs. Capitalizing on that belief, the town became a resort destination and started down the road toward becoming an ecotourism magnet. Home to about 540, it may be small, but when the wildflowers bloom in spring, or the leaves change in the fall, the area experiences an influx of hikers from the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Volunteers and repairs help Hot Springs bounce back from Helene
Hurricane Helene severely impacted Hot Springs in September 2024, damaging downtown businesses and disrupting essential infrastructure. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with bridge and road repairs, volunteer support and the partial reopening of local attractions, including Hot Springs Resort and Spa. The Appalachian Trail’s footpaths are open, but hikers should be wary of path erosion and dead, diseased or damaged trees that might fall.
Victorian and midcentury homes are rare but notable
Most of the properties for sale in Hot Springs are single-family homes or vacant lots. Houses range broadly from about $130,000 to roughly $1.2 million. Most single-family homes sell for less than $630,000, leaving a median price of about $462,500. Vintage homes are rare on the market. Occasionally, an eye-catching Victorian farmhouse from the late 1800s or a classic midcentury modern home will sell. The most common styles include contemporary cabins and cottages. Homebuyers need flood insurance for properties within special flood zones, which surround the area’s waterways. Many homes are at higher elevations, typically out of range, though landslides and wind damage can still be an issue. North Carolina’s average annual rainfall is roughly 50 inches. Summer days are hot and muggy, but the mountain air cools things off at night. Winters are warmer and much less snowy in the valley than in the highlands.
Local schools earn high marks and offer college credit options
Hot Springs is served by Madison County Schools, which has an A-minus on Niche. Hot Springs Elementary and Madison Middle also get A-minuses, while Madison High has an A. The elementary school is in town, while the middle and high schools are just outside of nearby Marshall, roughly 15 miles away. Students can apply to the high school’s early college program, which offers dual enrollment with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
Kayaking, hiking and luxuriating in the Blue Ridge Mountains
The mountainous Pisgah National Forest covers more than 500,000 forested acres. Between the hardwoods, kayakers tackle challenging whitewater rivers, and hikers photograph beautiful cascades and waterfalls. The trail runs by Lover’s Leap, a storied Hot Springs outcropping that overlooks the French Broad and the national forest. The rock formation gets its name from a Cherokee legend in which a young woman leaped to her death to join her late star-crossed lover. In the heart of the community, Hot Springs Resort and Spa covers 100 acres on the riverfront. Visitors can take restorative soaks in the hot tubs, some offering river views, and all pumped with naturally heated, magnesium-, calcium- and sulfur-rich spring water.
Locally owned shops and eateries anchor Hot Springs life
Hot Springs has a handful of locally owned eateries, such as The Grey Eagle Taqueria at Big Pillow Brewing. Blending craft beer and contemporary Mexican cuisine. The popular Artisun Gallery and Cafe’s building was flooded by Hurricane Helene, but they’re still selling pick-me-ups, handmade jewelry and collectibles at their new location: Artisun Emporium. There are a few places to grab groceries in town, including Dollar General and locally owned general stores like Sara Joe’s Station and Hillbilly Market. For big-box shopping, folks head roughly 40 miles down to Asheville, where they’ll find Walmart Supercenter, Aldi, Ingles and more.
Hot Springs is remote but reachable by two main highways
The main ways into car-dependent Hot Springs are U.S. Route 25 and North Carolina Highway 209. Hot Springs has a medical center, but for 24-hour emergency care, folks head across state lines to Newport Medical Center, roughly 25 miles away. Asheville has the nearest regional airport, about 50 miles away. Hot Springs' CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
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Written By
Micaela Willoughby
