Tucked in North Carolina’s westernmost corner, you’ll find the storied Great Smoky Mountains. Discover their richness and beauty in the ancestral home of the Cherokee, or let Bryson City or Waynesville serve as home base as you explore trout streams and lush, protected forests.

Look & Feel

Highlights

  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Tail of the Dragon
  • Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
  • Fontana Dam
  • Rafting, Cycling & Fly Fishing
  • Gem Mining

Weather

Winter 51°
Spring 69°
Summer 84°
Fall 71°

Getting Around

Municipalities

Getting There

Interstate 40
U.S. Route 74
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
I-40 West Welcome Center

Things To Do

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Cabbage Rose Gift Shop

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Maggie Valley

Beyond the Guidebook: The Appalachian Trail

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Attractions & Activities in this region

Family Adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains

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4 Memorable Summer Golf Getaways in North Carolina

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Had a beautiful weekend in the mountains. Started with a treetop cabana soak, a little gambling in Cherokee, hiking, tubing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Not pictured my near death experience tubing 🦋🍃🍄🎰🏔🛁 #latergram #collectmomentsnotthings #lakeview #freakinnature

Explore North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains

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Waynesville Disc Golf

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Waynesville
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Places to Eat & Drink in this region

15 Ways to Honor Year of the Trail

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Events in this region

Uncover Mountain Mysteries on NC's Haunted Trail

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Kayaking this morning on Lake Nantahala ☀️ there were only a handful of people out on boats. It felt like our own little private spot.• • • • • • #nantahalalake #kayaking #summerfavorites #traveltogether #lakedays

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Spent a beautiful Saturday hiking in the mountains in the greatsmokynps. On the way out of the park we passed our first eastern elk for the year. #drivehikerepeat #freshairclub #visitmysmokies #theblueridgers #visitnc #goneoutdoors #blueridgemoments #beanoutsider #nationalparkgeek #wandermore #stayandwonder #staywild #instanature #instawildlife #usinterior #wildernessculture #nikonz7 #nikonglobal #smokymountains #scenicnc #friendsofthesmokies #national_park_photography #np10k #getoutsideandplay #naturenc #gsmnp #splendid_animals #wildplanet

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Mountain Trout Fishing in Western North Carolina

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North Carolina’s Mountain Gardens

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The island with the secret hatch. #fontanadam #secretsideofthesmokies #smokymountains #appalachiantrail #yournaturaldestination #visitnc #wnc #wanderlust #explmore

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11/7/2024 - 11/10/2024

Highlands Food and Wine

Highlands
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Mist on the lake at dawn #yes_busa #explore_skies #bestofthetarheelstate #hey_ihadtosnapthat2 #raw_usa #just_unitedstates #amazingshots_sunset #visitnorthcarolina #viewsofthesouth #exquisitepics20_travel #amazingshots_landscape #blueridgemountains #discoverthecarolinas #onlyinnorthcarolina #explore_landscapes #raw_waters #raw_skies #amazingshots_sunset #bestoftheusa_sunrise_sunset #bestoftheusa_water #visitnc #carolinacollectives #travel_drops #beautifuldestinations

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Firsts That Last

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7 Rustic & Mountain Wedding Venues

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Pack Your Sandals, Sneakers or Boots: Find Hikes for All Levels

Trips That Transform
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Winter Adventures Other than Downhill Skiing

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15 of the Coziest Spots to Eat and Drink

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See Sites from Critically Acclaimed Movies Filmed in North Carolina

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Haywood Smokehouse

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Waynesville
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