The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jackson County serves as the eastern gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Events already planned include the June 13-15 75th Anniversary Weekend Celebration and the Sept. 2 Rededication Ceremony. Franklin D. Roosevelt came to Western North Carolina for the original dedication, and park officials are working hard to attract the President or other top officials for this ceremony. Even if you don’t make either of these, the 800-square-mile park is a treat in itself as it’s considered one of the most ecologically diverse places on earth. The Great Smoky Mountains get their unusual name from the mist-like blue haze that often covers the peaks. This haze is produced by the moist environment of streams and waterfalls interacting with the thick vegetation. The Cherokee name for the area, Shaconage, means “place of blue smoke.” Outdoor activities are popular in the park, which is the only one in the national system that does not charge an entrance fee. Visit www.nps.gov/grsm/.

The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway may be the most scenic road in America, and its highest point is in Jackson County. The Parkway reaches a height of 6,053 feet at Richland Balsam Mountain, and a sign at the overlook marking the spot is a popular location for photographs. The Parkway runs 469 miles and was authorized in the 1930s as a Depression-era public works project. Construction lingered for more than half a century, and the road was the nation’s first, and ultimately longest, rural parkway, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The Jackson County portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway runs from the scenic route’s southern end near Cherokee to Waterrock Knob — the Parkway’s highest peak (a trail at this parking area leads to the top of the mountain). The Parkway is an excellent place to spend a day touring with a picnic in tow. Visit www.nps.gov/blri/.

Walk out and about

There is no better way to explore the mountains than to spend a few hours out in the woods on a hike. There are trails for all abilities that will take you from the valley low to the mountain peak. Panthertown Valley in southern Jackson County is among the most stunningly scenic places in the eastern United States, and hiking and biking are allowed year-round in this 6,700-acre valley (view the map starting on page 17 for some recommended hikes here in Jackson County). There’s also plenty more information to be had at one of our local bookstores where you’ll find hiking books authored by those who have tread the trails and knowledgeable guide books to local flora and fauna to help you make the most of your trek. The famous 2,175-mile-long Appalachian Trail runs through the mountains of Western North Carolina. Several smaller trails cross portions of the AT.

Spend the night

For those wanting to spend some time up close and personal with nature, Jackson County has excellent RV and tent camping. You can build your campfire in one place and explore the region or make a journey of it. There are national forest lands, private campgrounds, backcountry sites and outdoor resorts that will make a great home away from home. Many of these places in the great outdoors now offer online reservations for campsites, so you’ll know before arrive that you’ve got the site you want (Visit www.recreation.gov/welcome.do?topTabIndex=Home). Some of the best family memories are made catching fireflies, roasting marshmallows and counting stars.

Falls, streams, rivers & lakes

The tallest waterfall in the east, Whitewater Falls, is located about 10 miles south of Cashiers along one of the most scenic drives in the region. There are hiking trails to the top and bottom of the falls. Waterfalls are plentiful in Jackson County and make a beautiful place to relax and refresh oneself. Many can be reached fairly easily (see map page 17). Jackson County’s lakes offer family recreation. Swimming, boating, fishing and picnicking are popular activities at Bear, Cedar Cliff, Glenville and Wolf lakes. And for those looking for a thrill, whitewater adventure can be found on several Western North Carolina rivers.

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina are among the oldest mountains on Earth. The 25-county region that comprises the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is steeped in historical and cultural traditions that make it truly unique. Explore this region using the BRNHA’s special Go Blue Ridge card, which includes admission to 25 of the best attractions, tours and outdoor activities around. For more information, visit www.blueridgeheritage.com or call 828.298.5330.

Hook & line

Jackson County is home to the nation’s first dedicated trail for fly fishermen, which isn’t surprising considering its reputation for trout fishing and the popularity of the Tuckasegee River. “The Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail” debuted this spring, directing anglers to some of the best fly-fishing waters in the state. The trail consists of 15 stops that provide a variety of options for catching brook, brown and rainbow trout. Whether searching for quantity or size, open water or small streams, the WNC Fly Fishing Trail has it all! Complimentary detailed trail maps are available by calling 800.962.1911 or visiting www.flyfishingtrail.com. Just outside of Jackson County, the Oconaluftee River flowing out of the national park and into Cherokee is great for anglers. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians also runs its own trout hatchery, stocking some 30 miles of stream. Cherokee also has three well-stocked ponds. A one-day license is available for $7 for adults; kids under 12 are free with a permitted adult. Call 800.962.1911 for a free WNC Fly Fishing Trail Guide.

Great shopping

Jackson County’s stores and shops offer everything from keepsake jewelry to outdoor gear for enjoying the mountains of Western North Carolina. A favorite for many visiting the area is antique hunting, taking advantage of the hand-made traditions that define the region.

Distinctive downtowns

Sylva is a great place to spend the day. You can do some shopping, grab a latte at one of the coffee shops, have a nice lunch, and visit the historic buildings, such as the Jackson County Courthouse that overlooks Main Street. In nearby Dillsboro, families can visit one of the many craft stores or get a root beer float at Bradley’s General Store. And Cashiers is a fine spot to stretch your legs as you visit the beautifully landscaped Village Green and several shops within walking distance. All three communities have local bookstores and cafes which are great places to pass time and get timely information about local events or places to see.

Food & drink

Local chefs are mixing culinary influences with foods native to the area, and people are noticing: Jackson County’s restaurants have been written up in Southern Living, Our State magazine, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Be it blackberry wine, stoneground grits, sweet potato fries or seasoned collard greens, you’re sure to get a taste of Western North Carolina while you’re here. Many restaurants put an emphasis on organic and sustainable agriculture, bringing seasonal items to their menus. Also, with North Carolina’s growing wine industry, you’ll find some of the state’s finest wines available on local wine lists and in stores. Brew aficionados will want to visit Heinzelmannchen Brewery in Sylva for German style beers and homemade root beer — so good it’s the key ingredient to the Biltmore Estates’ signature root beer float. Our restaurant directory: click here.

Mountain heritage

Jackson County embraces its Appalachian roots. Local festivals celebrate the Scots-Irish history and Cherokee history that shaped our modern culture. The annual Mountain Heritage Day held in September on the campus of Western Carolina University offers a sampling of everything from cornhusk dolls to frybread, homegrown apples to Indian stickball demonstrations, ballad singing to blacksmithing. Dillsboro’s Art and Music Festival is every June, and in August the Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring concerts every Saturday night at the Bridge Park Pavilion. The WNC Pottery Festival held each November in Dillsboro is one of the largest of its kind. Check the Chamber of Commerce web site at www.mountainlovers.com to find out about all the cultural events held each month in Jackson County.

Arts & culture

The relative isolation of mountain life helped the settlers nourish and preserve many traditions, especially music and handmade crafts. The area has become the center of handmade art and craft in America, with a rich legacy of both traditional and contemporary craft schools and more than 4,000 working craftspeople. In Jackson County you’ll find traditional crafters as well as those working on taking traditional mediums in new directions — be it mountain music, pottery or dance. Every first Friday of the month from May through December the galleries of Sylva host a Gallery Stroll, staying open late for special openings and exhibits, often attended by the featured artists.