Hoots & Haunts

Investigating The Brown Mountain Lights

Brown Mountain Overlook Along NC Highway 181 | October 21, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Posted Friday, October 30, 2026 11:01 am

By: Ashley Reep - Wise News Network

Newland, NC (WNN) - On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the Wise News Network team set out to the mountains of Appalachia in hopes of learning more about the Brown Mountain Lights. The trip was part of our Hoots & Haunts series, where we cover local legends, spooky stories and other Halloween-related events throughout October.

With the Blue Ridge Mountains practically in our backyard, it only made sense to take a trip up the mountain to learn more about one of North Carolina's most talked-about mysteries.

Years of the Unexplained

For generations, people have reported seeing mysterious lights appearing around Brown Mountain in western North Carolina. Some describe them as glowing orbs that appear over the mountain ridge, moving around before eventually disappearing.

Reports of the lights date back to the 1800s, with the mystery gaining more attention in the early 1900s. Over the years, people have traveled to the area hoping to see the lights for themselves, while others have tried to figure out what might be causing them.

Black and white photo of lights moving in the distance | Brown Mountain Overlook | October 21, 2026

There have been several attempts to explain the phenomenon, including the possibility of distant headlights, train lights and other ordinary light sources appearing unusual from far away. However, stories from people who believe they have seen the lights continue to be passed down through generations.

To learn more about the mystery, our team headed to Brown Mountain Overlook, a designated viewing area along North Carolina Highway 181, where visitors can look out toward the surrounding mountain ridges.

Long, Dark and Cold

October is often considered a good time to look for the Brown Mountain Lights, with the sun setting earlier, leaving more time to search the ridges after dark. As the sun went down, the area became increasingly dark due to the lack of light pollution affecting the area. While this made for a great atmosphere to investigate the mystery, it also made it difficult to tell exactly where the mountains met the horizon and what we were looking at in the distance.

A photo taken of the camera equipment set up at Brown Mountain Overlook with the stars lighting up the night sky | October 21, 2026

Our team began filming around 9 p.m. and continued until approximately midnight, watching the mountain ridge and the surrounding valley for any signs of the lights. The longer we stayed, the colder and darker it became. With several layers of mountains stretching into the distance, it was difficult to determine whether a light was moving, stationary or coming from something much farther away.

Interviews With Locals

We spoke with people who were familiar with the stories and some who believe they have seen them themselves. One resident from Lenoir, North Carolina, told us he had captured what he believed to be the Brown Mountain Lights on his phone over the summer. Liam Wallace said he saw them from the overlook around 10 p.m.

Liam Wallace explaining the lights he saw from the overlook this past summer | October 21, 2026

" I noticed there were blurs of light almost, or like brighter lights than the fireflies. And I reviewed it with my friends and we could notice it, like looking out. It was just there. It was really cool to see."

- Liam Wallace, local from Lenior, NC

He ended the conversation by sharing a theory he had heard about a high-quality quartz mine in the area that could potentially be connected to the lights. While he was unsure of their exact origin, he believes there is something behind the activity that has yet to be explained.

Another local passing by said he recalls his grandmother telling stories about the Brown Mountain Lights and how an encounter sticks with you once you experience it.

Hearing stories like these from people who have visited the area adds another layer to the mystery. Whether the lights have a scientific explanation or remain unexplained to those who witness them, the stories continue to be shared throughout the Appalachian region.

Hours of Footage, Few Answers

Despite having three video cameras set up and spending three hours at the overlook, our team was unable to capture anything that we could confidently identify as the Brown Mountain Lights. However, some of the photographs taken that night appeared to have unusual points of light in them.

Small tiny lights seen in areas of this photo | Brown Mountain Overlook Along NC Highway 181 | October 21, 2026

While it is difficult to say exactly what they were, we cannot rule out ordinary light sources or other photographic effects. Although we did not get the footage we had hoped for, it was still an interesting experience to visit the overlook and talk with people who have heard stories about the lights or believe they have seen them themselves.

View the Full Photo Gallery Here:

Brown Mountain Overlook Along NC Highway 181 | October 21, 2026

(use the above arrows to navigate the photo gallery)

The Brown Mountain Lights have been a part of Appalachian folklore for generations, and the stories continue to bring people to the mountains in hopes of seeing something they cannot quite explain.