Pick Your Own Outdoor Path: 2 Days, 2 Ways in Graham County

1 Tsali Recreation Area or Cherohala Skway

High adventure: If your first day calls for a spike in adrenaline, start at Tsali Recreation Area, one of the Southeast’s premier mountain biking destinations. You'll earn your vistas here — pedal through hardwood forests, skirt the edge of Fontana Lake and take on twisting climbs with stunning Blue Ridge payoffs. Several loops offer options for intermediate to advanced riders.

Relaxed route: Opt for a slower pace when you cruise along the Cherohala Skyway, where sweeping turns and panoramic overlooks unveil layers of Southern Appalachia. Pull off at Huckleberry Knob — the highest point on the Skyway — a gentle mile-high hike with meadows, long views and plenty of space to relish mountain air.

2 Lynn's Place

See on map

Refuel midday with a classic Southern lunch at Lynn’s Place, a family-owned diner featuring homemade desserts like fried cheesecake. Afterward, grab a cold brew or iced matcha at Kin Cafe — a modern café with warm heart. A short stroll through town takes you to the Snowbird Matriarch Mural, a tribute to Cherokee culture and a meaningful reminder of this region’s rich Indigenous heritage.

3 Appalachian Trail or Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

High adventure: Lace up and head to the Appalachian Trail, where you’ll find some of its toughest (and most rewarding) sections running through Graham County. Even a short out-and-back can deliver dense forest, rocky ridgelines and moments of solitude.

Relaxed route: Looking for something gentler? Choose between two short and stunning trails. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest offers a rare look at old-growth trees, some over 400 years old, in a loop that’s peaceful and awe-inspiring. Or head to Yellow Creek Falls, where a brief forested walk leads to a beautiful, hidden waterfall — perfect for picnicking or dipping your toes.

As you explore, follow the Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Principles: Stay on marked trails, leave what you find and be mindful of others seeking their own peaceful escape.

4 Tapoco Lodge

See on map

No matter your path, you’ve earned a meal with a view. Head to Tapoco Lodge, where the Tapoco Tavern delivers local fare alongside the roar of the Cheoah River. Order trout, sip something local and watch paddlers power through the rapids — especially if you time your visit for a Cheoah River Release weekend.

5 Laurel Lounge

See on map

Finish off the evening at Tapoco Lodge by ordering a round at the onsite Laurel Lounge or catching a flick in Tin Can Theater, where a cool drink and community storytelling are always on tap.

6 Fontana Dam or Santeethlah Lake

High adventure: Hikers, this one's for you. Start day 2 early at Fontana Dam, the tallest in the Eastern US, and set out on the iconic climb to Shuckstack Tower. The 7-mile round-trip journey is steep but worth it — and your reward is a panoramic fire tower view that includes Fontana Lake, endless mountain ridges and even glimpses into Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Relaxed route: Wake slowly with the Tapoco Lodge breakfast buffet, then paddle your way into the day. Lake Santeetlah is calm and pristine, perfect for a self-guided or guided paddle. With more than 75% of the shoreline protected, you’ll likely have it all to yourself — just you, the wildlife and the lap of water against your kayak.

7 Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center

See on map

Pick up a pre-packed picnic basket at Snowbird Mountain Lodge (call ahead to order — the lodge prefers 24 hours’ notice) and head toward Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, where you’ll find a rotating display of local artwork, handcrafted gifts and exhibits that honor Appalachian creativity. Enjoy lunch on the lawn or in the adjacent Cherokee Garden, where native plants and quiet pathways offer space to reflect.

8 Disc golf or historic lake tour

High adventure: Try your hand at disc golf on the Fontana Village course, which winds through wooded hills and open fields. It's part sport, part nature walk, and all fun.

Relaxed route: Hop aboard Miss Hazel for a historic lake tour, offering stories and sights from a slower era. Learn about logging history, Fontana Village’s roots as a WWII construction town and the preservation of this region’s natural beauty.

9 Hazel’s Restaurant

See on map

Wrap up your visit with a hearty dinner at Hazel’s Restaurant before heading to a quiet overlook or back porch for some evening stargazing. With virtually no light pollution and high-altitude vantage points, Graham County offers one of the clearest night skies in the state.