Smoky Mountain Towns
The seven counties that make up the Smokies in Western North Carolina offer unique and diverse landscapes for outdoor activities.
Clay County
Clay County (Hayesville/Brasstown) boasts scenic hikes, the John C. Campbell Folk School and Lake Chatuge for fishing and kayaking.
Macon County
Macon County (Franklin/Highlands, Cashiers) offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including the Appalachian Trail, Whitewater Falls, and mountain biking in the Tsali Recreation Area.
Visit Franklin
Visit Highlands, Cashiers, Glenville & Scaly Mountain
Haywood County
Haywood County (Waynesville/Maggie Valley) is home to the Cataloochee Valley, where you can spot Elk foraging through mountain fields.
Swain County
Swain County (Nantahala, Bryson City) offers river tubing and whitewater adventure in the Nantahala Gorge horseback riding, camping, hiking along the Appalachian Trail and waterfalls.
Graham County
Graham County (Fontana/Robbinsville) is home to the magnificent Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, and Lake Santeetlah where you can fish, paddle, and camp in a serene setting.
Cherokee County
Cherokee County (Murphy/Andrews) offers access to the Appalachian Trail, as well as the Ocoee River for whitewater rafting and kayaking.
Jackson County
Finally, Jackson County (Sylva, Balsam, Dillsboro, Cullowhee) boasts scenic hikes in the Nantahala National Forest, as well as the Tuckasegee River for fishing, tubing, and kayaking.
