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If you’re coming to the mountains; a vacation here is unlike any other. If you are from the south where it’s warmer, you’ll appreciate the milder summer in Western North Carolina. If you are coming from a northern location, you may enjoy the heat. We are right in the middle of the eastern region of the United States, so we are that perfect middle ground for weather. This is just one element you’ll need to have the ultimate mountain vacation. However, we still recommend visiting Western North Carolina in the fall or winter, too. It may not be as warm, but the other seasons are still just as appealing. A mountain vacation in the fall is impressive. The mountain tops are covered in golden-yellow, burnt-orange and garnet-red leaves. In the winter, the mountains are covered in snow. If you haven’t seen snow before, you are in for a treat. No matter the season, we can help you prepare your packing list for a mountain vacation, so you can have the best North Carolina mountain vacation possible. Let’s get started!

Whether you have been coming here to the mountains for decades, or you’ve never set eyes on them, we can help you make a packing list for a mountain vacation that will ensure you have everything you need to make your trip a great one. This mountain vacation packing list guide will tell you how to prepare a mountain vacation packing checklist, what to wear, what not to forget, what you need for a vacation, and more. Once you decide on where you’re going to experience a mountain vacation, you’ll need a professional company to help you plan it and reserve a North Carolina vacation rental.

Keep reading to learn about everything you’ll need for your next vacation in the North Carolina mountains. We’ll help you prepare so you can focus on creating lasting memories with your loved ones. When you’re ready to pick out the perfect mountain cabin vacation rental, our team at Landmark is here to help.

Mountain Vacation Packing Checklist

mountain vacation packing checklist landmark vacation rentals

Here are some things you’ll need for your next mountain vacation.

This mountain vacation packing checklist will get you started:

  • Rain jacket
  • Hiking shoes
  • Backpack
  • Sunscreen
  • Bear spray
  • Insect repellent
  • First aid kit
  • cooler

A Rain Jacket

A little-known fact about the forests of Western North Carolina is that they qualify as a rain forest. We average enough rain each year to qualify as one, and those who live here know that to be true. Winter is definitely the wetter season, as we get much more rain than snow. However, summers can bring sudden storms, too. If you are traveling to Western North Carolina, you should definitely add a rain jacket to your packing list for a mountain vacation.

Hiking Shoes

If you are making the trip to the mountains, you are probably planning on doing some sort of hiking. Maybe you’re an avid hiker or you just want an easy stroll through our lush green forests. Regardless of how you spend your time outdoors, you’ll want to bring or buy a pair of shoes that are:

  • Waterproof or Water-resistant
  • Close-toed
  • Supportive

With that being said, some people do like to hike in Chacos or other outdoor sandals. We love our outdoor sandals and if that’s what you’re comfortable with, we say go for it! For an inexperienced hiker who isn’t used to the terrain, we recommend close-toed shoes to avoid an injury on the unfamiliar terrain. We imagine how inconvenient it would be to hobble back to the car if you’ve accidentally tripped over a tree root or stubbed your toe! so make sure you pack a sturdy pair of shoes when you are planning outfits for a mountain vacation.

Backpack

backpack mountain vacation packing list landmark

This can also be a useful item if you are doing anything outdoorsy on your trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains. With all of the things you might be carrying with you, the extra space a backpack provides can be useful. You may want to bring some extra water for your day trips, or maybe you want to pack some of the smaller items below in your backpack. You don’t necessarily need a large hiking pack unless you plan on doing an overnight hike. A backpack that allows you to store plenty of the necessities and keeps you hands-free while you’re on your adventures is perfect.

Sunscreen

This item is typically associated more with the beach, but you still need to protect your skin in the mountains! While the temperatures are cooler and shaded areas are more abundant, you’ll still want to make sure you have sunscreen on hand. Not feeling the intense heat that you would at the beach can make you forget that the sun can still do damage. Don’t neglect to add this one to the list!

Bear Spray

This is one of those objects you may not have a need for, but if you do get yourself into a situation where you come face to face with a bear, you may wish you had it! Bear spray is essentially pepper spray for bears. This is an item you should only seriously consider if you are going to a location that is not particularly populated. For example, Whiteside Mountain is a favorite local hike, and is so well-traveled that the odds of you seeing a bear are very low. But if you are walking a trail that’s near your secluded mountain cabin, you could potentially see a bear.

There are other ways to discourage a black bear from coming near you if you don’t have bear spray. If you see a single adult bear, you are supposed to make a lot of noise and make yourself look very large. If you do this they should go away. But if you can avoid a bear altogether, by turning around or walking in the opposite direction of wherever the bear is going, that is always ideal. Black bears are not aggressive and like to be left alone. If you do choose to pack bear spray, you should ONLY use it if a bear is acting aggressively towards you and never use it if the bear seems uninterested in you and is minding its own business.

If you are unsure about bears and it would give you peace of mind to have the bear spray, go ahead and add it to your packing list for a mountain vacation. Here is some more information about bears and bear safety in the mountains.

Insect Repellent

Insect repellent is definitely something you’ll want to keep with you in the mountains. It can get very humid, and if you are sitting around the campfire or the creek in front of your mountain cabin in the evening, you’ll be glad you brought it. If you forget your insect repellent once, you won’t forget it again!

First Aid Kit

Whenever you go on vacation, you should bring a first aid kit. But if you are planning on hiking, camping, fishing, or doing any activity that’s away from town, you should definitely remember to add a first aid kit to your packing list for a mountain vacation. Cell service here can be spotty, especially when you are out in nature. Making sure you have the means to temporarily mend wounds is important.

Cooler

Another item that is often associated with the beach, a cooler can be really helpful to add to your packing list for a mountain vacation. If you are spending the day on a pontoon boat on Lake Glenville, or if you are going on a picnic to Gorges State Park, a cooler is going to add to the list of activities you’ll be able to do while you’re here. You can even chill some champagne in it and spend the evening watching the sunset from one of the area’s many overlooks. Your cooler is going to be a huge help.

What Should I Wear on a Mountain Trip?

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According to REI, one of the keys to packing for a mountain vacation is layering. The other one is checking the weather. You’ll also want to bring two types of shoes with you: one for mountain hiking, another for other types of terrains you could encounter, like water-resistant shoes or sandals. Pro tip: rolling your clothing when you make it instead of folding it will help you save space. Remember to pack liquids in sealed plastic bags, too. (Contains can leak during altitude changes.)

Here are some things you’ll want to make sure are on your packing list for your next mountain vacation:

  • Wool socks
  • Hiking shoes
  • Wool shirt
  • Long-sleeved shirt
  • Raincoat
  • Sandals
  • Packable jacket(s)
  • Hat
  • Multipurpose pants
  • Hybrid shorts

What Should You Not Forget When Packing for a Trip?

what should you not forget when packing for a trip landmark vacations

We’ve all been there…forgetting something during a vacation and either having to go out of your way to go back for it, or having to replace it after you get to your final destination. The solution is not to forget anything again, but in the rush and excitement of getting ready to leave and catch a flight, it’s best to have a list to reference so you avoid the inconvenience of forgetting something during your next mountain vacation.

Here is our ultimate packing list so you don’t forget anything:

  • Toothpaste
  • Phone charger
  • Toothbrush
  • Laundry bag or bag for dirty clothes
  • Swimsuit
  • Lip balm or chapstick
  • Sunscreen and bug spray
  • Sunglasses
  • Umbrella
  • Jacket or sweatshirt
  • Hand sanitizer

One thing that works well is to make a list a few days before of what you think you’re going to need. Then go over it a day before you’re supposed to leave to see if you forgot anything.

What Do I Need for a Vacation Checklist?

From clothes to toiletries to other miscellaneous items, here is everything you need for a vacation checklist:

Toiletries

  • Brush
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Soap
  • Deodorant
  • Face wash
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Dental floss
  • Lotion
  • Contact solution
  • Contact lense case
  • Hand sanitizer
  • First aid kit
  • Medications

Clothing

  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Something to sleep in
  • Shirts
  • Shorts
  • Pants
  • Dresses
  • Fancy clothes
  • Jacket or sweater
  • Swimsuit(s)
  • Shoes
  • Laundry bag

Miscellaneous

  • Electronics chargers
  • Headphones
  • Extra pillow
  • Extra blanket
  • Gum
  • Water

What to Pack for a Cabin in the Mountains?

Here are some of the top things you’ll want to bring with you for a vacation to a cabin in the mountains. It can get cooler in the morning and at night, even in the summer. Bring a warm outer layer so you always have something to throw on when it gets cold. Even if you don’t plan on going hiking, you may very well want to once you see how beautiful it is in Western North Carolina. To save yourself time, buy a pair of hiking shoes and bring them with you. If you don’t wear them on this trip, you can always bring them out for the next one! Make sure you have a backpack for outdoor excursions. Bring plenty of sunscreen and bug spray. And don’t forget maps!

Landmark Mountain Cabin Rentals

We are experts in vacationing in the North Carolina mountains. We have helped hundreds of people plan their vacation to the plateau, so we know what you need to create lasting memories with your loved ones. If you have any questions about what activities you should do and how you should pack and plan for those activities, you can always ask us. We can help you figure out how to adjust your packing list for a mountain vacation to make sure you have a memorable trip here. Contact us when you’re ready to start looking for your next home away from home in the North Carolina mountains. Our team of professionals specializes in helping our guests find the perfect vacation rental. After all, home is where the heart is.

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