DOG-FRIENDLY PARKS IN ASHEVILLE, NC

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains at 2,200 feet elevation, this city of 95,000 draws residents seeking four distinct seasons without weather extremes. January lows average 27°F while July highs reach the mid-80s—notably cooler than North Carolina's piedmont or coast. The mountains trap moisture, delivering 47 inches of rain annually plus occasional winter snow that rarely accumulates for long. Artists, retirees, and outdoor enthusiasts create a diverse population in this tourism-driven economy surrounded by national forest.