Fall Farm & Mill Tour in the Mountains of North Carolina
Experience authentic mountain farming with a family-friendly farm tour at Winding Stair Mountain Farm.
Just 12 miles west of Franklin, NC, our mountain farm team invites you to meet our animals, experience a demonstration of our working water mill, and see how sustainable farming comes alive.
Date: Saturday, October 25th
Time:
- Morning Tour: 10–11:30 AM (7 slots remaining)
- Afternoon Tour: 1–2:30 PM (SOLD OUT)
Tour Costs:
- Adults: $20
- Children under 10: $10
- Family Bundle available for 2 adults and up to 3 children
Location: Our mountain farm and mill are located 12 miles west of Franklin at 7984 West Old Murphy Road, Franklin. It is also home to our Campground.
🐑 Meet Our Icelandic Sheep & Heritage Poultry
Get up close with our free-roaming Icelandic sheep—famous for their high-quality wool and friendly personalities. Guests can feed them apples and treats provided by us!
You’ll also meet our heritage poultry flock, including chickens, ducks, and other fowl, all raised on sustainable, organic feed and free to forage across the farm. Our delicious eggs are sold daily at our Winding Stair retail location at 57 Saunders Rd in Franklin.
🏡 Explore Our Working Historic Water Mill
Our hand-built, fully operational water mill brings history to life. Powered by an 18-foot red water wheel, the mill was featured in Old Mill News in the summer of 2020 and highlights traditional Appalachian craftsmanship.
Built using traditional methods, the structure includes a cantilever beam roof—an old Appalachian design that sheltered livestock without support posts. Over half of the timber was felled and milled onsite, and key parts like pulleys and gears were carefully sourced.
During your tour, you’ll watch the bypass from Trough Branch release water, set the wheel spinning, and see the inner workings of two stone-burr mills come to life. We’ll also highlight our custom-built fish ladder, designed to protect local trout while honoring the spirit of mountain craftsmanship. The Mill is where we produce our 100% organic corn grits, polenta & cornmeal.
🌲 And More:
The farm and adjacent campground originally formed a logging site. We have transformed this pristine land into a thriving, sustainable retreat. Our tour includes historical insights and archival photos, showing how this land has evolved over time.