Reimagined Destination McDowell Visitor Center Celebrates the County’s Outdoor Spirit
Center Marks a Milestone in the County’s Tourism Economy
OLD FORT, N.C. (Nov. 21, 2025) - Destination McDowell, the Tourism Development Authority for McDowell County, N.C., celebrated the completion of its reimagined visitor center in Old Fort with a ribbon cutting and press conference on Nov. 20.
The updated center ushers in a new chapter for McDowell County’s tourism economy, reflecting the region’s growing reputation as a hub for outdoor recreation and adventure.
The redesigned space serves as a modern, welcoming hub where travelers can discover information about the county’s abundant natural resources and plan their next outdoor experience - from waterfall hikes and mountain biking to fishing, camping, and exploring the area’s rich Appalachian heritage, food, and arts.
“This project was about more than updating a building,” said Shannon Odom, Executive Director for Destination McDowell. “We wanted the inside of our visitor center to introduce newcomers and returning visitors to the endless expanse of natural resources we have at our doorstep. It’s also about reimagining how we tell McDowell County’s story - one rooted in natural beauty, creativity, and community.”
“Our Secret is Getting Out!”
Omi Salavea, Marketing Director, says the visitor center is an essential economic and educational tool for the county.
“We have a great advantage being located so close to Interstate 40 in downtown Old Fort. Many folks who stop in on their way to the western mountains for a bathroom break and a map are pleasantly surprised to find us,” said Salavea. “We enjoy it when they stay for a while, and end up booking their next vacation in Marion or Old Fort. Our secret is getting out!”
A Community Effort to Reimagine and Renew
Odom and the team worked closely with community members and area designers to bring a vision to life. The centerpiece of the new design is a large-scale map of McDowell County and interpretive signs covering one entire wall that allows visitors to plot and visualize an adventure across the county. Created in collaboration with local design and content creators at Uproar Concepts and Pisgah Map Company, the map’s imagery features Catawba Falls, mountain biking trails and other key locations across the county that offer exceptional recreational opportunities. It pinpoints each town and attraction in the county, and incorporates the retro look of National Park Service signage.
“We think the wall map will be in many cases the first introduction visitors may have to the county. It will give the viewer a sense of the vast size of Pisgah National Forest and the gateway communities that surround it and the Blue Ridge Parkway,” Odom said. “Whether you’re discovering these areas for the first time or heading out on an epic day hike and want to reconfirm directions or road conditions, the visitor center will be your go-to source for local information.”
Johnsie Parker, Senior Operations Officer, worked with local artist Chuck Aldridge to select artwork created by regional artists to highlight the area’s most beautiful settings. Karen Allison of Artistic Designs created custom signage for the brochure racks, and a “Your Adventure Starts Now” sign over the front door.
The redesign of the center also represents a moment of renewal for the county. Following the damage caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024, the community rallied together to rebuild, reimagine, and refocus on the future. Many local businesses - some of them new ventures launched in the months since - reflect that same resilient spirit. The center’s redesign also follows the TDA’s late 2024 name change - from Blue Ridge Traveler to Destination McDowell - that welcomes the exploration of McDowell County’s depth and breadth beyond a simple trip along the Blue Ridge.
Tourism Remains a Cornerstone of McDowell County’s Economy
Tourism now stands as one of McDowell County’s leading economic drivers, supporting more than 600 local jobs and generating $108.8 million in visitor spending in 2024 through the county’s occupancy and sales taxes. While that represents a decrease from the previous year, given the impact from Hurricane Helene, visitation is growing, with July 2025 showing an 8-percent increase over the same month in 2024.
“The reimagined visitor center stands as both a symbol and a tool for our community’s future,” said Odom. “It connects visitors to our natural wonders and reminds residents that outdoor recreation is not only part of who we are - it’s our path forward.”
Additions this year to the local tourism landscape include Foothills Watershed, Modern Alchemist, Wunderland Resort, and Old Fancy. They join more than 20 new tourism-focused enterprises that have opened in Old Fort in recent years that include outfitters, breweries, cafes, art studios, galleries and lodging. Elsewhere in the county, new tourism businesses have opened, such as Table Top Inn, a boardgame-themed bed and breakfast in Marion, Bigfoot Books & Brews, and Marion Wines. Plans for a new, 100-room Marriott branded hotel in downtown Marion were announced in January of this year. All will contribute to a vibrant economy fueled by visitors drawn to McDowell County’s natural beauty and creative energy.
Looking Ahead: More Trails Coming, Blue Ridge Parkway to Fully Open
Long known for its manufacturing roots, McDowell County has been steadily building this new identity around outdoor recreation and entrepreneurship. That shift has been supported by initiatives such as McDowell Technical Community College’s Trail School, established in 2021 to train future trail professionals and bolster the outdoor economy. It’s part of the college’s Outdoor Economic Development program that trains students on building and maintaining trails, restoring natural areas and supporting the recreation economy. The school itself has a very visible location right in the heart of downtown Old Fort and steps away from Pisgah National Forest. The program is one of only a few offered at community colleges in the U.S.
Since the hurricane, miles of trails in Pisgah National Forest near Old Fort have been restored, led by groups like the G5 Trail Collective, a trail initiative of Camp Grier and a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. These groups will continue to expand opportunities for outdoor experiences that can be enjoyed by visitors and residents of all ages and abilities.
The county also eagerly anticipates when the Blue Ridge Parkway will be fully opened, predicted for summer 2026. Three access points throughout the county are available to travelers, though portions have been closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene.
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About Destination McDowell
Formerly known as Blue Ridge Traveler, Destination McDowell is the official tourism resource for McDowell County, dedicated to showcasing the beauty, culture, and outdoor adventure of this iconic Western North Carolina region.
About McDowell County, N.C.
McDowell County, N.C., is located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills of Western North Carolina. It is home to an abundance of natural beauty with nearly 200 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, charming small towns, and cultural experiences that celebrate its rich Southern Appalachian history. With easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the graceful bends and turns of the Catawba River, moments of awe and beauty are plentiful throughout the county. More information about McDowell County, N.C., may be found at www.destinationmcdowell.com.
