Leave it to Romantic Asheville to come up with a killer list of ways to keep cool this summer in the North Carolina mountains. Sure, it’s not as hot as other places, but our elevation definitely adds to the intensity of the sun’s rays. Whether you need to cool off or just looking for some fun adventures in the area, you’re going to have a blast!

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What's the best way to beat the heat in the mountains of North Carolina?

Since the city of Asheville is in a valley, it is usually only 5-8 degrees cooler than places like Charlotte or Atlanta. So high temperatures often reach 90 in the summer months. However, as you head up into the higher mountains, you cool a few degrees every 1,000 feet in elevation gain. So the highest mountain peaks can run 15-20 degrees cooler than Asheville! And most of the mountain swimming holes are fed by cool mountain springs. Here are 10 ideas to keep your cool (click the links for details):

1. Sliding Rock: The most popular natural waterslide in the South is near Brevard. Slide down a 60-foot smooth rock waterfall into a pool of chilly 55-degree water (photo at top) with lifeguards on duty. On the hottest days, especially weekend, they run out of parking. So get there early.

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