The metamorphic rocks that seem to jut out over cliffs are referred to by geologists as gneiss (pronounced "nice"). When the Blue Ridge was forming, strong pressure on the rock in the earth's crust produced many of the aesthetic features seen today at Blowing Rock. A U.S Geological survey says this gneiss in particular was formed 1,055 million years ago.

Away from science, Blowing Rock also has plenty of myths and legends. Most notably, the story of the Chickasaw Chieftain's daughter. Worried a white man was advancing on his daughter, he moved her to the remote location of Blowing Rock in care of a squaw mother. One day, she saw a brave Cherokee hunting - she shot a bow and arrow at him as a form of flirtation, and it worked; the two fell in love. One day, the sky grew red and the maiden and her brave love worried trouble was to come. She begged him not to leave, but torn by his duty, he leaped from the rock and into the woods. Heartbroken, she prayed daily to the Great Spirit, until one day, the sky reddened again and from the bottoms of the gorge her love returned - a gust of wind blew him back onto the rock. From that a day, a strong wind has blown upwards from the rock and this story is at least how some describe the strange phenomenon of Blowing Rock.