What to Pack for Your Blue Ridge Mountain Vacation
Packing the right items for a vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains can significantly impact your enjoyment of your trip. We’ve all been there: having planned a picnic out in the park, and it starts to rain but you’ve forgotten your rain jacket. Or planning to spend a day at the lake, but you’ve left your coverup at home and relied on your ability to remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours. The mountainous terrain of the Blue Mountains and sometimes unpredictable weather call for careful consideration when selecting what to bring along. Failing to pack essentials such as proper footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, navigation tools, and camping gear could turn a promising vacation into a challenging and uncomfortable experience. And that’s not what you’re here for, right? To ensure a smooth and enjoyable stay in the Blue Ridge Mountains, thoughtful and strategic packing is essential. But it doesn’t need to be hard. Here’s a list of clothing and gear to consider bringing on your trip:
Clothing
Comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing layers. Think long sleeve, breathable items for hikes. Not only do these keep the sun off, they help protect you from any bugs as well. Shirts that have sleeves that you can roll up are perfect on these occassions.
Sturdy hiking boots or running/walking shoes. While you CAN hike in sandals, I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s more safe for your ankles to have some support. But for easier hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can get by with tennis shoes. You definitely want to avoid hiking in flip flops. They’re too slippery and unstable, especially if you’re exploring one of the many waterfalls in the area! Flip flops are fine if you’re exploring the town or checking out the farmer’s markets of Blue Ridge though.
Rain jacket or poncho. The weather can change quickly in the mountains - so best to bring this just in case.
Layers for cool evenings. The climate in Blue Ridge Georgia is awesome in the summer. Warm days rarely get above the high 80’s, and it cools down in the evenings to the mid to high 60’s. This is a climate where layering is key. Wear t tank top or light long sleeve top during the day, and bring a light sweater to toss on top in the evenings.
Swimsuit for any nearby water activities. This one is pretty obvious. There’s so many great water options around, you’ll definitely want to bring a swimsuit or two!
Gear
Backpack for day trips: with an abundance of hiking in this area, a “day trip” backpack will help you carry around all your gear while still allowing you to walk around comfortably. And so much better on your back than a purse!
Binoculars for wildlife viewing: there’s no shortage of wildlife in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is part of the charm of the place! You can expect to see black bears, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, skunks, weasels, otters, deer. Bird lovers will take a thrill in spotting red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, geese, wood ducks, herons, northern mockingbirds, and hooded warblers.
Portable charger for electronic devices: for those that want to spend most of the day away from the cabin exploring, a portable charger will mean you’re never left without maps or directions to your next adventure!
Camera to capture scenic views: while the iPhone has changed the way we all take pictures, the beauty of this place means sometimes only a camera will do. If you are lucky enough to still own one of these, bring it along! And if you post any of your photos to Instagram, don’t forget to tag us ;-) @kick_back_rentals
By packing thoughtfully and considering the specific activities planned for the trip, you can ensure a seamless and enjoyable cabin adventure in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains.