Foray into the Far West
Foray into the Far West: The Great Staycation
(Left) Whitewater Falls near Cashiers; (right) Camp Gray Fox.
Much of the seven counties in the Far West lies within Nantahala National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s a prime spot for outdoor adventure, with many miles of untamed wilderness where you can truly get away from the everyday hustle.
Whispers of Waterfalls
With rivers at every turn, you don’t need to travel far to see spectacular waterfalls. After following the trail through a tunnel of mature rhododendrons at the popular Graveyard Fields, you will arrive at Yellowstone Prong, a good place to pause on the rocks by the river. Beyond this point, choose to continue to Upper Falls or take the steep stairway to Lower Falls. Both reward you with enchanting falls.
Nantahala National Forest is home to Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. A paved walkway leads to an accessible overlook of the falls that tumble 411 feet. Continue down 154 wooden steps for a closer, mistier view that shows the cascade’s massive scale.
Take a drive on the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway from Highlands to Almond to see more of the area’s natural wonders. The byway parallels the Cullasaja Gorge for seven miles, passing three dramatic waterfalls: Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.
Outside Escapes
Pile the crew into a whitewater raft for a thrilling, family friendly river run with Nantahala Outdoor Center. The center also offers ziplines; guided hikes and kayak, SUP and mountain bike rentals from its campus beside the Nantahala River.
Take your hiking game to a new level at Kuwohi, the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you’ll see panoramic views of North Carolina and Tennessee from the 6,643-foot summit. Another remarkable place to explore, the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, allows visitors to walk within one of the largest tracts of old-growth forest in the eastern United States. Take the looping trail and you’ll pass under massive, 300- to 400-year-old poplars, sycamores, oaks, and basswood.
With more than 4,600 miles of pristine waters stocked with 90,000-plus trout each year, it’s no wonder that anglers flock to Jackson County. The NC Fly Fishing Trail highlights 15 prime spots within the county, pointing the way toward waters ripe with brook, brown and rainbow trout. Venture out on your own or go with local experts like Carolina Trout Guides who can help make your trip memorable.
In Andrews, the Historic RailBike Tour allows visitors to experience the landscape in a unique way. Four-seater pedal-assist rail bikes depart from the historic train depot on old train tracks, crossing nine trestles before reaching the destination, a hand carved 1894 tunnel.
Dining and Drinking Downtown
Encircled by the Great Balsam Mountains, the shops and restaurants lining Waynesville’s Main Street create a lively downtown. Visit galleries, boutiques, and gift stores, and don’t miss two stops a block off Main: the used bookseller Wall Street Books and The Funky Fern Emporium, a quirky, retro shop. Downtown’s also a great place to grab a meal, whether you’re looking for an intimate, elegant dinner at The Chef’s Table or a casual bite at Dough Boys Pizza and Wings located in Mad Anthony’s Tap Room.
If you’re in Clay County when dinnertime rolls around, dine at The Copper Door, where steaks and seafood are prepared with classical French techniques and hints of Louisiana flavors. Nocturnal Brewing, just a block away, serves casual bar fare and its own brews like The Hayes, its flagship hazy IPA.
Stylish Sleeps
The beautifully renovated and remodeled Hotel Sylva puts travelers in the center of downtown Sylva in comfortable, light filled rooms. At Gray Fox, outside of Robbinsville, you’ll find glamping at its finest. Its dome tents are outfitted with heating, air conditioning, luxurious beds, private decks, smokeless firepits, and wood-fired hot tubs.
Resources
Visit Cherokee (800) 438-1601; visitcherokeenc.com
Clay County Chamber of Commerce (828) 389-3704; claychambernc.com
Graham County Travel (828) 479-3790; grahamcountytravel.com
Visit Haywood (828) 944-0761; visithaywood.com
Discover Jackson County (800) 962-1911; discoverjacksonnc.com
Experience Franklin experiencefranklinnc.com
Explore Bryson City (828) 488-7857; explorebrysoncity.com
Nantahala National Forest
(828) 257-4200; fs.usda.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(865) 436-1200; nps.gov
Nantahala Outdoor Center
(828) 785-5082; noc.com
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
5410 Joyce Kilmer Rd., Robbinsville
(828) 479-6431; fs.usda.gov
Carolina Trout Guides
(828) 507-0425; carolinatroutguides.com
Historic RailBike Tours
345 Locust St., Andrews
(828) 557-4021; visitandrewsnc.com
Wall Street Books
163 Wall St, Waynesville
(828) 456-5000; wallstreetbooksnc.com
The Funky Fern Emporium
233 Wall St, Waynesville
(828) 593-1246; funkyfern.shop
The Chef's Table
30 Church St, Waynesville
(828) 452-6210; thechefstableofwaynesville.com
Dough Boys Pizza and Wings
180 Legion Dr., Waynesville
(828) 246-9249; doughboyspizza.us
Mad Anthony's Tap Room
180 Legion Dr., Waynesville
(828) 246-9249; madanthonys.bar
The Copper Door
2 Sullivan St., Hayesville
(828) 389-8460; thecopperdoor.com
Nocturnal Brewing
893 US-64 BUS, Hayesville
(828) 371-6577; nocturnalbrewing.com
Hotel Sylva
756 W Main St., Sylva
(828) 307-3100; hotelsylvanc.com
Camp Gray Fox
7006 Tapoco Rd., Robbinsville
(828) 827-1100; campgrayfox.com