Graham County brings together several travel-planning highlights: forests, water, trails, and Cherokee culture. The county borders Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Graham County is also home to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Slickrock Wilderness Area, and Nantahala National Forest. You can tailor your search to the experiences that interest you most.
Forest trails with different features
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is home to trees up to 450 years old. The Joyce Kilmer National Recreation Trail is two miles long and consists of two loops. There is a flush toilet and picnic tables at the trailhead. The stated length describes the trail as a whole; the two loops describe its layout.
The Spirit Ridge Trail along the Cherohala Skyway has a different character: it is paved and accessible. The Bartram Trail, in turn, is designated a National Recreational Trail and climbs 3,000 feet from the river to Cheoah Bald. The trails therefore differ in the features specifically described: trail surface and accessibility on the Spirit Ridge Trail, and elevation profile and endpoint on the Bartram Trail. Check current road and trail conditions before your trip.
The Medicine Trail is located at Junaluska Memorial. It is about a quarter-mile long and has a gentle to moderate slope. Preserved sections of the Great State Road are still visible, adding a historical element of the region to its hiking trails.
Lakes and water activities
Lake Santeetlah has 76 miles of mostly undeveloped shoreline and is 75 percent forested. Fontana Lake offers 27 miles of water to explore and opportunities for boating. The two descriptions emphasize different things: Lake Santeetlah’s shoreline and forest landscape, and Fontana Lake’s recreational use on the water.
Fontana Dam is 480 feet tall. The Appalachian Trail crosses the dam and then enters Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Fontana Dam Visitor Center is located off NC 28 near the Tennessee–North Carolina border. It is open daily from May through October; check current opening days and hours before your visit.
Cycling, horseback riding, and short outings
Tsali Recreation Area offers opportunities for mountain biking and horseback riding; its trail system includes four loops. The Santeetlah Lake Trails are also used by mountain bikers and horseback riders. Visitors can kayak on the Cheoah, while Big Snowbird Creek offers opportunities for fishing for native trout. These different activities can help you choose the focus of an outing: trails on land, kayaking, or fishing.
A short path through the forest leads to Yellow Creek Falls. Trail conditions and access can change seasonally, so check before your trip.
Cherokee culture and Stecoah
The Junaluska Memorial and Museum focuses on Cherokee artifacts and contemporary Cherokee art. The nearby Medicine Trail adds a short walk with a gentle to moderate slope to a museum visit. This allows culture and a walk to be considered different parts of the same theme, while keeping each trail description in view.
At Stecoah Valley Center, the Grand Stage was built in 1926 and is located across from a restored log hall. Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center helps preserve Southern Appalachian culture through music programs, festivals, classes, and other events. Stecoah Artisan Gallery provides more than 100 local and regional artists with a platform for sales and support; participating artists may change.
Stecoah Valley Center offers culinary workshops for adults, with dates and registration details varying. The annual Harvest Festival includes a pie contest and demonstrations of traditional heritage. Since dates and programming are subject to change, checking before your trip is recommended.
A designated scenic byway
The Cherohala Skyway is a designated National Scenic Byway connecting Tellico Plains with Robbinsville. The paved, two-lane road is more than 40 miles long. Its endpoints and length provide concrete guidance when planning a drive; check current road conditions in advance.
Discover more destinations: Robbinsville, Mcdowell, Duplin County, Durham, Craven County, Granville County, Carteret County, Mitchell County.
For the overview of the wider region: North Carolina.
