20180118_Gear

Keep Your Gear Like New: Cleaning, Repair, and Storage Tips

After a few days in the great outdoors, one the last things you want to do when you get home is tackle the task of cleaning your gear. But, as any outdoor enthusiast knows, gear is pricey stuff — and that’s if you only buy it once. However,…

Gear Picks for Outdoor Dates

From gorgeous waterfalls to breathtaking vistas, WNC is full of great places to get outside and explore with your main squeeze (like these romantic excursions). This Valentine's Day, ditch the chocolates and head outside with our top gear picks…
Image for French Broad Paddle Trail

Paddling the French Broad Paddle Trail

The French Broad Paddle Trail is a series of campsites along the French Broad River connecting over 140 miles of river. It was created by MountainTrue, a non-profit in Western North Carolina that houses the French Broad Riverkeeper, who works…
Image for Pigeon River

Paddling the Pigeon River

Primarily a popular whitewater rafting destination, the Pigeon River is a dam controlled river that winds its way through North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee before emptying into the French Broad River.What Makes It Great Situated along…
Skinny Dip Falls

Hiking Skinny Dip Falls

The waters of Yellowstone Prong spring from the peaks of the Great Balsam Mountains and gather themselves in Graveyard Fields. Born from springs above 6,000 feet and purified through the 5,000 foot meadow, these waters run crisp and clean. The…
Romantic hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains

7 Romantic Excursions in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Lovely evening light settles over the ski slopes. Timo Newton-Syms 1. Share Some Powder Love birds by day, powder hounds by night: Hit the slopes of one of Western North Carolina's ski resorts after dark for an out-of-the-ordinary romantic…

2018's Best Outdoor Company

Thank you! Diamond Brand Outdoors has been named Best Outdoor Company in Blue Ridge Outdoors' annual roundup of readers’ favorite places, people, events, businesses, and organizations from Maryland to Alabama. We’re excited to be…

How to Select the Perfect Sleeping Bag

It’s the coldest time of year, but that’s no reason to not get outside and camp. With the right knowledge and gear, anyone can spend a cozy night out in the wilderness! So, we here at Diamond Brand would like to give you all the necessary…

Hiking Doughton Park

Doughton Park, located between milepost 238 and 246, is the largest recreation area along the 469 mile of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It also happens to be one of the most spectacular locations to soak up fall color changes in area.It’s easy…
Just out of frame to the left is the welcoming Spring Creek Tavern and Inn

Visiting Hot Springs

On any given summer weekend in Hot Springs, North Carolina, pack-laden hikers and paddlers in wetsuits can be seen traversing the sidewalks of this tiny, no-traffic-light Appalachian Trail town, population 575. Acoustic music drifts from the…