hello- new STOL tw owner based in Charlotte with some land near Boone NC. Any strips / destinations ppl could recommend along the blue ridge, anywhere in NC? also interested in southern Virginia and easter TN. Thank you

Join the RAF. https://www.theraf.org

They are helping to protect and open access to airfields with recreation. Then go look at their Airfield Guide

https://airfield.guide/filter_airports.asp

Another great resource. Requires creation of an account.

https://www.funforpilots.com/unpaved-airstrips/

I like Hendesonville NC (0A7) They have a little museum at the airport and the town is nice. Several good restaurants downtown.

Jackson County NC (24A) is a cool little mountain top airport to fly into. It's unattended but there is a college at the bottom of the hill so I expect you could get an Uber to take you to Sylva for lunch.

In East TN there is McMinn County (Athens) (MMI). The Swift museum is at the airport and I think they have a lunch occasionally. It would be worth a phone call to find out.

If you are a hiker or cyclist, the Virginia Creeper Trail starts in Abingdon, VA. -- Virginia Highlands airport (VJI)

None of these are backcountry or require STOL skills but they are worth a visit.........

I got my glider rating about 15 years ago (!) flying out of Chilhowee Gliderport in eastern Tennessee (92A). Good people and very taildragger-friendly... I'd definitely check it out if I were you.

https://www.chilhowee.com/index.html

Lots of little grass strips in the area. On the other end of the scale is Triple Tree aerodrome that has 7000’ of grass. You’re 7miles from Acme Aero. Laneys is a friendly grass strip. There are numerous fly-in’s throughout the year. Not real friendly at NC26 or 14A for that matter but most other airports/grass strips are.

Welcome to the area!