Healing Springs

## Overview Healing Springs is a storied natural spring nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Ashe County, North Carolina, near the small community of Crumpler. Discovered in 1883, the spring quickly gained a reputation for its reportedly miraculous curative powers, drawing visitors from near and far who believed in the healing properties of its waters. During the late 19th century, Captain V. Thompson recognized the spring's commercial potential and shipped its waters across the United States between 1889 and 1899, spreading the spring's fame well beyond the mountains of western North Carolina. That era of nationwide distribution cemented Healing Springs as one of the region's most celebrated natural water sources. Today, the spring remains freely accessible to the public. Everyone is welcome to visit and collect water from Healing Springs at no charge, carrying on a tradition of open access that has endured for well over a century. ## Directions 1. From the town of Crumpler, NC, head toward **East Healing Springs Road**. 2. Follow E Healing Springs Road to the spring, located at or near **1192 E Healing Springs Road, Crumpler, NC 28617**. 3. GPS coordinates: **36.503147, -81.394989** — recommended for navigation, as the area is rural and signage may be limited. 4. Parking is available on-site at the spring. ## What to Expect Healing Springs is a public drinking spring set in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The spring is easily accessible from the road, with a dedicated parking area right at the site — no hiking required. Visitors have historically come to fill jugs and bottles with the spring water, which has long been reputed to have curative and restorative qualities. While no modern water quality analysis is referenced here, the spring has been used as a drinking water source by locals and travelers for well over 130 years. The surrounding Ashe County countryside is beautiful year-round, with lush greenery in summer and vibrant foliage in autumn. The area around Crumpler is quiet and rural, so plan accordingly — services and cell coverage may be limited. For those interested in learning more about the spring's colorful history, additional background has been documented by the Cabins at Healing Springs (cabinsathealingsprings.com).