Peaceful living in Todd among the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains
Among the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the New River, the small community of Todd has scenery and recreation in North Carolina's High Country. About 13 miles from the larger towns of Boone and West Jefferson, Todd's rolling landscape and country charm invite a slower pace of life for long-time residents, retirees and vacationers. "The people that have been there a long time are very committed to the community," says Kent Zotter, a local Realtor with Ridgeline Properties. "When I say it's tight-knit, it's not that they don't let outsiders in. It's that they're very protective of Todd. There's a lot of history here."
Shopping and Dining
The Todd General Store operated for over 100 years along Railroad Grade Road and served as a gathering place for the community. The store's near-total destruction in a 2021 fire was a major loss for the community. While the store owners and residents work to rebuild the store, other local businesses and institutions continue to serve the area. The Todd Mercantile recently re-opened to sell handmade gifts, pantry staples and treats like pastries and flatbreads. South Fork Baptist Church has served the community since 1833, though the congregation's original wooden church house no longer stands.
For groceries, nearby West Jefferson has an Ingles and Walmart, among other businesses. Ashe Memorial Hospital is also about 15 miles away in West Jefferson, and Watauga Medical Center is 13 miles south in Boone.
Log cabins in the woods, overlooking mountains and valleys
Custom log cabins and A-frames dot the area, some deep in the woods and others perched on hillsides with sweeping mountain views. Steep, winding roads lead to these tucked-away properties. "Some areas up there are at 3,000 or 4,000 feet of elevation. Winter's always precarious, but most of it is very navigable," Zotter says. For between $230,000 and $490,000, homebuyers can find smaller cabins and ranch-style properties, while larger houses on more acreage can span up to $1.3 million. Zotter notes that many of his clients in Todd are either retiring to the area or purchasing a vacation home or investment property.
Cycling on Railroad Grade Road and tubing down the New River
Railroad Grade Road runs along the New River. Once a railway for the region's logging industry, this graded path is now popular among cyclists, runners and hikers. This 10-mile stretch of road between Fleetwood and Todd is also part of the annual Blue Ridge Brutal, a bike race held annually in August. "They bring in loads of cyclists from all over North Carolina and other states to compete," Zotter says. Locals and visitors enjoy tubing, kayaking, fly fishing and canoeing along the New River during the warmer months. Next to the community's post office and overlooking the water, RiverGirl Fishing Co. rents out cycling and watersport equipment.
Low-lying parts of Todd, particularly around the river, can be vulnerable to flooding. In 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the community. Extreme storm surges lifted homes and businesses off their foundations and flooded streets.
Todd's Liberty Parade and summer concerts bring families together
Todd celebrates Independence Day with its annual Liberty Parade. The Todd Community Preservation Organization, which puts on the event, provides colorful costumes, massive puppets and banners for families to pick out. Donning their vibrant and quirky attire, kids and adults march along Railroad Grade Road to Cook Park, with vendors, food and live performances for the event. Cook Park's bandstand also hosts live music throughout the summer for its free concert series.
Two school districts cover Todd
As Todd covers two counties, students may attend either Watauga or Ashe County schools, depending on their address. Students attending Ashe County Schools may begin at Blue Ridge Elementary, which has a B-plus rating from Niche, and continue to A-minus-rated Ashe County Middle School and B-minus-rated Ashe County High School. High schoolers can also apply to attend A-minus-rated Ashe Early College, just across the road from the traditional high school. Students attending the early college earn an associate degree, tuition free, by the time they graduate.
Scenic roadways to larger towns in Western North Carolina
North Carolina Highway 194, a state Scenic Byway, connects drivers 13 miles to Boone or 13 miles to West Jefferson. This rural area is largely car-dependent and has limited public transportation access. Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the closest international airport, is about 2 hours away by car.
