LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Mount Mitchell State Park

In 1915, a bill was introduced in the state legislature establishing Mount Mitchell as the first state park. Through this legislation, the North Carolina State Parks System came into being. Today the forest on this peak is in decline due to natural and man-made factors. The educational program offered by park rangers introduces students to the forest types of the Blue Ridge Mountains, focusing on the potential causes for forest decline in the mountains and at Mount Mitchell.

Preview your trip on the web: Mount Mitchell State Park

Learn more

  • North Carolina Geological Survey Explore the geological maps of North Carolina, learn about the minerals that can be found there, and check out the questions that students are asking geologists.
  • North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission - Wildlife Species and Habitat Information A North Carolina Wildlife Resources site with detailed information about wildlife resources and management in the state. Information about animals such as the wood duck, white-tailed deer, beaver, wild turkey, quail, sea turtles, and predators such as various owls, osprey, black bear, wild boar and the gray fox is found here.
  • Explore the Fantastic Forest An interactive map and a virtual forest take kids through a treasure hunt for special forest "finds." After answering a mystery question, kids can assemble their own forest setting.
  • Lesson plan: No magic borders Students identify some of the causes and effects of pollution and discuss whether borders effectively keep pollution out of public lands.
  • Lesson plan: Nature's Checks and Balances This Unit introduces students to several essential understandings. They will learn that plants and animals depend on one another for survival and organisms interact within nature to create a balance. They will also learn that humans can influence and manipulate nature.

Related pages

  • Jockey's Ridge State Park: Experience a world of the shifting sands and a barren, desert environment as well as an estuarine environment of the tidal waters of the Roanoke Sound at Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head, North Carolina.
  • Eno River State Park: Students will learn about the plants and animals found in Eno River State Park as well as the importance of water quality and stewardship to their local watershed.
  • Lake Waccamaw State Park: Students will learn about the Carolina Bays, "one of the greatest geological mysteries of the eastern United States" when they visit Lake Waccamaw State Park.

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"In the crest of the timeworn Black Mountains lies the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi. Breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, rolling ridges and fertile valley can be seen from its summit."

Rangers hold regularly scheduled educational and interpretive programs about Mount Mitchell State Park. To arrange a special exploration of the park for your group or class, contact the park office at (828) 675-4611. Educational materials about Mount Mitchell State Park have been developed for grades 4-6 and are correlated to North Carolina’s competency-based curriculum in science, social studies, mathematics and English/language arts. The Mount Mitchell program introduces students to the forest types of the Blue Ridge Mountains, focusing on the potential causes for forest decline in the mountains and at Mount Mitchell. Accompanying the program is a teacher’s booklet and workshop, free of charge to educators.

Each state park and recreation area has an EELE curriculum guide that includes on-site activities, pre- and post-visit activities, student information pages, worksheets, fact sheets, vocabulary, and references. The EELE for Mount Mitchell State Park is in a PDF format.

The North Carolina State Parks website offers a search feature for finding the plants and animals that can be found at each state park. Using the drop-down menus, you can choose a park and either an amphibian, bird, reptile, mammal, fungus, insect, or vascular plant. You can search within each group by family, scientific name, or common name. There are photographs from the state parks and fun facts for some of the species.

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