The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is a federally designated National Heritage Area encompassing the twenty-five westernmost counties of North Carolina, which are associated with the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The designation provides a framework for the promotion and interpretation of the area's cultural and historic character, and the preservation of the natural and built environment.
The Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is also within the National Heritage Area.
[2] The National Heritage Area includes Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey counties.
[3] The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area was established 10 Nov 2003 by Public Law 108-108.