Follow the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
Watch its journey from the National Forests in North Carolina to the U.S. Capitol. Live tracking begins November 5.
Watch its journey from the National Forests in North Carolina to the U.S. Capitol. Live tracking begins November 5.
Every year, a different National Forest provides a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. Use the map below to follow this year‘s U.S. Capitol Christmas tree on its journey from the National Forests in North Carolina and see where it will stop along the way.
Using FleetLocate by Spireon’s advanced trailer management technology, Capitoltreetracker.com provides real-time GPS location tracking of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree as it makes its way from the National Forests in North Carolina to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Schedule is subject to change.
Use the tabs below to take a closer look at the host communities and special places to check out along the way.
Join us as we celebrate the harvest of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the National Forests in North Carolina. The Tree will be harvested from the Pisgah National Forest, and this official send-off for the 2022 Tree takes place at the premiere event and convention center serving western North Carolina and more.
The Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes. Comprised of over 500,000 acres, the Pisgah is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls, and hundreds of miles of trails. This national forest is home to the first tract of land purchased under the Weeks Act of 1911, which led to the creation of the national forests in the eastern United States. It is also home to the first school of forestry in the United States, now preserved at the Cradle of Forestry in America historic site, and boasts two of the first designated wilderness areas in the east.
Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Murphy is an old town with its origin dating back to the 1830s.
Downtown is beautiful, with flower and tree-lined streets and many historic buildings restored to their original state. Murphy has restaurants, many unique shops, and other exciting establishments, all within walking distance in the heart of town.
Recreational activities are unlimited, from local trout streams to mountain biking, plus Hiwassee Lake — one of the most beautiful in the state, plus something for every sports enthusiast. If you are looking for a beautiful small town in the mountains, look no further. It is indeed small-town life at its very best.
Cherokee is the capital of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation and part of the traditional homelands of the Cherokee people. In the Oconaluftee River Valley, Cherokee offers natural beauty, family attractions, outdoor activities, and the rich history of the Oconaluftee (Great Smoky Mountains). It is located at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. In addition to the casino, it is the site of attractions such as the Cherokee Botanical Garden and Nature Trail, Trail to Mount Guyot.
Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village, and Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual.
Pisgah Visitor Center, located within the Pisgah Ranger Station and operated by FIND Outdoors in partnership with the US Forest Service, lies at the entrance to one of Western North Carolina’s greatest treasures – Pisgah National Forest. The Pisgah Ranger District is home to many waterfalls, scenic views, and miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Bordering Transylvania, Buncombe, and Haywood Counties, Pisgah Ranger District is a short drive from Asheville, Hendersonville, Brevard, and Waynesville. Lake Powhatan Recreation area and Bent Creek Experimental Forest are also included in the Pisgah District, providing visitors with more recreation opportunities.
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast looking for your next adrenaline rush on the waters of the Catawba River or interested in learning more about the art of craft brewing, there’s something for everyone in the City of Marion, “Where Main Street Meets the Mountains.”
Explore downtown shops and galleries. While at it, capture photos of yourself enjoying downtown and tag them on social media with #DiscoverMarionNC.
No matter what your interest, you’re sure to enjoy a stroll down Main Street.
Did you know: North Carolina has more than 850 growers producing approximately 50 million Christmas trees on more than 38,000 acres? Newland, located in Avery County, is known as the “Christmas tree capital” for supplying large numbers of the popular Fraser fir variety of trees used for this purpose (and now the official state Christmas tree). The North Carolina Christmas Tree Growers Association helps to host this special celebration, as we pick up the second truck carrying the 7,000 ornaments and companion tress to Washington, D.C.
From challenging mountain sports to cozy mountain cabins, from festivals and art galleries to Tweetsie Railroad Theme Park, Boone is where adrenaline junkies and leisure seekers alike flock for the perfect getaway any time of year. Watauga High School, home of the Pioneers, is located in the beautiful northwestern mountains of North Carolina.
Newton is located in Catawba County, positioned in the triangle formed by Asheville to the northwest, Winston-Salem to the northeast, and Charlotte to the southeast, all within an hour-and-a-half drive. The gently rolling terrain blends into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering residents and visitors an abundance of scenic attractions, a wealth of recreational options, and a temperate climate with four seasons that are as distinct as they are mild.
North Carolina-based Hardy Brothers Trucking will transport the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. With headquarters in Siloam, Hardy Brothers will bring the Tree home for a special visit before traveling to Washington, D.C.
As the gateway to the Uwharrie National Forest, Troy is a quaint community with a small-town atmosphere. Its historic downtown is a nucleus of connectivity and activity in the Uwharrie region. We welcome visitors and residents to our region, and our vibrant main street marketplace enhances the region's outstanding quality of life.
Legend has it that the streets of Troy are paved with solid gold. When the streets were paved, fill dirt was brought in from the gold mines in Eldorado, a once thriving mining community north of the town. Local citizens with sharp eyes found gold nuggets in the city‘s streets. Today, Troy still represents a golden opportunity for its citizens and visitors.
The North Carolina Zoo protects wildlife and wild places and inspires people to conserve the natural world. Located on 2,600 wooded acres in the state of North Carolina, it is the world‘s largest natural habitat zoo. Home to more than 1,700 animals of 225 species and 52,000 plants, it welcomes more than one million guests each year. The Zoo‘s conservation work goes far beyond its 2,600 acres and is actively involved in conservation and research projects locally and globally. Visit nczoo.org for your next adventure!
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and staff will honor and recognize our veterans with a special stop at the North Carolina Veteran‘s Home in Kinston on Veteran‘s Day. Kinston is located in the coastal plains region of Eastern North Carolina. It is home to the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center, an educational museum that tells the story of the Civil War in the United States, and the CSS Neuse, one of 26 ironclad ships commissioned by the Confederate navy.
Something special happens when you visit New Bern, NC. Our state’s colonial capital is deeply rooted in three centuries of history, with a charming nod to the past visible along our streets. But, where the easy feel of our small town comes to life, you’ll also find the cosmopolitan spark of a city.
Step back into the past at Tryon Palace to trace the steps of a colonial governor, experience life during the Civil War at the site of the Battle of New Bern, and visit the old drug store where Pepsi Cola was born. Enjoy a picturesque waterfront and some of the country’s most inspiring recreational opportunities. Here, the Neuse and Trent rivers are alive with boating, fishing, and paddle boarding nearly all year, while our two riverfront parks are always full of the familiar sounds of seasonal sports and family fun. Whether after traditional cuisine or untraditional culinary innovation, our culinary scene is a hub for food lovers, served with a gracious side of southern hospitality.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site protects and preserves known portions of England‘s first New World settlements from 1584 to 1590. This site also preserves the cultural heritage of the Native Americans, European Americans, and African Americans who have lived on Roanoke Island.
If you love Small Town Charm, Eco-Adventure, Performing & Visual Arts, History, Festivals, Boutiques, Chef-Owned Restaurants, Recreation, Golf, Guided Tours, and Peanuts — you’ll love Suffolk, Virginia. As Virginia‘s largest City, Suffolk is 430 square miles of rich land with woods, lakes, rivers, and rolling terrain.
84 Lumber Company is the presenting sponsor of the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative. As the nation’s leading privately held supplier of building materials, building supplies, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single- and multi-family residences and commercial buildings, 84 Lumber is proud to offer brand name, quality building supplies to building professionals, commercial contractors, home builders, remodelers, developers, and do-it-yourselfers.
A driving enthusiast’s dream, the Cherohala Skyway is a 40-mile National Scenic byway that crosses through the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee and the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. The twisting mountain road ranges in elevation from 900 feet above sea level at the Tellico River in Tennessee to over 5400 feet above sea level at the Tennessee-North Carolina state line at Haw Knob.
This old-growth forest contains magnificent examples of more than 100 tree species, many over 400-years-old, and some more than 20 feet in circumference and 100 feet tall. Set aside in 1936 as a memorial to Joyce Kilmer, author of the poem “Trees,”, who was killed in action in France during World War I, the forest is part of the Joyce Kilmer-Slick Rock Wilderness. The only way to see this forest is on foot. A 2-mile trail loops through giant trees.
Wayah Bald offers unbeatable views of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, Tennessee, and both North and South Carolina. The roof of the fire tower was destroyed by wildfire in 2016 and later rebuilt with the help of local volunteers. Visitors have easy access to two famous trails in North Carolina, the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail, both crossing the bald at the fire tower. The area is also home to the first ranger station in the Nantahala National Forest, the Wilson Lick Ranger Station, built in 1913.
Step into the past when you wander through the trails of the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest. This 6,500-acre site was the site of the first forestry school in America, run by Dr. Carl Schenk from 1898-1914. See what it was like to be a student at the Biltmore Forest School by visiting the schoolhouse and barracks on the Biltmore Campus Trail or see the 1914 Climax logging locomotive along the Forest Festival Trail. *There is an entry fee at the site.
Outdoor opportunities abound in the Badin Lake Recreation Area where off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding, camping, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, boating, mountain biking and fishing are available. Located in Uwharrie National Forest, there are 17 miles of OHV trails, 40 miles of hiking, biking, and horse trails, and a large picnic area located near the 5,350-acre lake. Take your pick of recreation activities year-round!
Located in the East’s only true coastal forest, the Tideland National Recreation Trail is one of Croatan National Forest’s treasures. This trail meanders through salt marsh via a boardwalk, and through the adjoining forest on two loops. Take time to watch the herds of fiddler crabs scuttling back and forth to the water‘s edge. Listen to the wind swaying the Spartina grass and the gentle music of slow-moving water. Be alert for egrets, deer, fish, and other wildlife — large and small — that live here.