Mars Hill
North CarolinaWelcome to Mars Hill
Mars Hill is a town located 15 miles due north of Asheville with an elevation of 2,310 feet. It is home to Mars Hill University, a private, liberal arts college with just over a thousand undergraduate students. The town has a rich music history as it was the birthplace of Bascom Lamar Lunsford, the “Minstrel of the Appalachians.â€
There are several great food options downtown! Start your morning off right with a delectable simple black coffee, a fancy espresso, some fruity tea or a refreshing smoothie, with your pastry from Camden’s Coffee House. Or gather with friends and family to enjoy a cold beer, live music or a movie at Mars Theatre Brewing Company at the Mars Hill Theatre. This renovated theatre boasts an impressive selection of brews and makes some excellent dishes including pulled-pork sandwiches and nacho platters!
There are tons of great hikes just minutes from downtown! Check out this list thanks to AllTrails.
Take a day trip to Hot Springs Resort and Spa. They feature jetted hot tubs, positioned outside along the banks of Spring Creek and the French Broad River; tubs are supplied with a continuous flow of World Famous Natural Hot Mineral Waters.
Want to stay around town and enjoy some live music? Check out this event calendar!
Planning to stay a while? Check out these farmers markets and stock your pantry with local produce and products.
Featured Listing:
MARS HILL, NC 28754
$349,000
This private, dreamy home set amongst rolling pastures and long-range mountain vistas provides convenience to downtown Mars Hill with a rural experience. One-level living with several accessibility features such as grab bars, and a deck ramp make this a home run for everyone. This property checks so many boxes, which is what makes it so magical. The covered rocking chair back deck offers ample outdoor space to enjoy time with family and friends. The view is so incredible and private, you’ll want to make a postcard out of it. Minutes from Main Street, a dream-find for Nature Lovers seeking the pleasures of city life! Don’t forget to explore the standing crawlspace and attic, both offering plenty of additional storage space. This one-owner home with impeccable maintenance history is now available for the first time available ever! Ask for details on the list of upgrades. Make it yours today. Only 30 minutes from the well-known town of Asheville.
Homes for Sale in Mars Hill
278 Kelses Valley Drive $559,900 Subdivision:  | Back to Property List | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Escape to the serenity of this secluded Mars Hill mountain retreat, offering approximately 38 acres at elevations of 3,300 feet and above, with beautiful mountain views and a peaceful wooded setting. This distinctive 2-bedroom, 2-bath home features SIP construction, extensive custom woodwork, artistic millwork, built-ins, recessed niches with glass shelving, and warm wood floors throughout. The lofty, open-concept main level is filled with natural light and features a spacious kitchen centered around a large granite-topped island with plenty of room for cooking, gathering, and entertaining. Step outside onto the expansive wrap-around deck to take in the mountain views, sunsets, and surrounding forest. The lower level offers radiant floor heating, generous recreation and living space, and a large bedroom with walk-in closet and en suite bath. Thoughtful systems include solar-assisted hot water and a two-stage radiant heating system utilizing a storage tank and instantaneous water heater. Additional improvements include a durable metal roof and doors replaced approximately 2.5 years ago. Fiber-optic internet provides modern connectivity and convenience in this mountain setting. The vinyl-sided exterior offers easy maintenance, while a large detached shed, previously used as a woodworking shop, provides excellent storage or workshop potential and can be connected to electricity. The backyard also features wonderful gardening space, a fire pit and a chicken coup. There is an additional well on the property which has been capped, but could be revived for low pressure irrigation. Convenient to Mars Hill and within reach of Asheville, this one-of-a-kind property combines substantial acreage, craftsmanship, mountain views, and a wonderfully secluded Western North Carolina setting. | Basic Information
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 | Listing courtesy of: Keller Williams Professionals - jakemossman@gmail.com The data relating to real estate on this Web site derive in part from the North Carolina Mountain Multiple Listing Services, Inc. IDX program. Brokers make an effort to deliver accurate information, but buyers should independently verify any information on which they will rely in a transaction. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither Alexandra Schrank nor any listing broker shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, or misprints, and they shall be held totally harmless from any damages arising from reliance upon this data. This data is provided exclusively for consumer -- personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties they may be interested in purchasing. © 2026 North Carolina Mountain Multiple Listing Services, Inc. Data updated October 3, 2026. |