With more than 30 miles of public, non-motorized trails, Panthertown Valley is a distinctive part of exploring Jackson. Add to that rock art with a history spanning many centuries and a wide range of ways to discover the landscape and regional culture.
Trails, Parkway and River
Panthertown Valley has more than 30 miles of public, non-motorized trails. The Blue Ridge Parkway offers another point of reference: about 45 miles of the route lie within or border Jackson County. At Waterrock Knob is the highest-elevation visitor center on the Parkway, at 5,820 feet. The visitor center is open seasonally.
The Tuckasegee River also offers two different scales. It is the county’s largest body of water and flows for about 50 miles. The Tuckasegee River Greenway, by contrast, is about one mile long, runs alongside the river, and is designed for runners, walkers and cyclists. A long river and a shorter riverside trail thus offer two very different points of reference.
Those interested in fishing can find 15 selected fishing spots in Jackson County on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail®. These include spots for brook, rainbow and brown trout. At the Pines Recreation Area on Lake Glenville, options include swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing from a pier and picnicking. The choices range from fishing for several trout species to a variety of activities at the lake.
Cyclists also have different options: The Greenway is designated for bicycles, while the Jackson County Greenway Kids’ Bike Park offers a 750-foot-long bike track for beginners. Its features include tabletop jumps, rollers, banked turns and an inner gravel track. The designated beginner course and the riverside trail represent two different ways to enjoy a bike ride.
Rock Art and Regional History
Judaculla Rock is the best-known and largest example of Native American rock art in North Carolina. The petroglyphs were carved in several phases between about 500 and 1700 CE. This long span of time and the multiple phases are important to understanding the site: the rock art was not all created at a single point in time.
The Jackson County Courthouse, built in 1914, houses the public library. The building also features rotating exhibits on county history and mountain culture. The Mountain Heritage Center dedicates its exhibits to the history, culture and environment of the Southern Appalachians. Mountain Heritage Days offer another way to connect with regional traditions: for more than 50 years, the event has celebrated Appalachian music, stories and traditions.
Crafts, Markets and Seasonal Experiences
At the Jackson County Green Energy Park, methane gas from the old municipal landfill is used as fuel for artists’ studios. Public tours include a glassblowing demonstration and a guided walk with explanations of renewable energy use and the park’s history. Energy production, crafts and the park’s development come together as a shared theme for a visit.
The Jackson County Farmers Market in Sylva offers regional produce and farm goods, cheese, bread, plants and crafts. More than 35 vendors take part year-round; market dates may vary by season. For winter, Sapphire Valley Ski Area has a 1,600-foot main slope and a 500-foot snow tubing run. Operations are seasonal, so these two run lengths give an idea of the different options without implying year-round use.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Dillsboro, Cullowhee, Sylva, Cashiers, Whittier, Tuckasegee, Swain County, Forsyth.
For the broader travel overview: North Carolina.
