Graham County: Forests, Lakes and Special Roads

Graham County combines impressive forest landscapes, lakes, waterways and cultural sites with a variety of opportunities for active and discovery-filled vacation days. The county borders Great Smoky Mountains National Park, while the Appalachian Trail runs through Graham County. Those looking for a vacation rental or holiday home can therefore make their preferred travel focus the starting point for choosing a location: nature, water, culture or scenic drives each offer their own emphasis.

Hiking Trails Between Forest, River and Scenic Views

The county is home to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Slickrock Wilderness Area and Nantahala National Forest. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest contains 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. For a shorter hike, the Yellow Creek Falls Trail leads through the forest to a picturesque waterfall on Yellow Creek.

The Bartram Trail offers more elevation gain: It rises 3,000 feet from the river to Cheoah Bald. The paved, low-barrier Spirit Ridge Trail is also located along the Cherohala Skyway. The Medicine Trail near the Junaluska Memorial is approximately one-quarter mile long and has a gentle to moderate incline. Preserved sections of the Great State Road add a historical aspect to the landscape.

Lakes and Rivers for Different Vacation Days

Fontana Lake offers opportunities for boating and 27 miles of water to explore. Fontana Dam is 480 feet high. The Fontana Dam Visitor Center is located off NC 28 near the Tennessee–North Carolina border and is open daily from May through October. You can kayak on the Cheoah, while Big Snowbird Creek offers opportunities for fishing for native trout.

Lake Santeetlah also shapes the character of the region: The lake has 76 miles of mostly undeveloped shoreline and is 75 percent surrounded by forest. The Santeetlah Lake Trails are used by mountain bikers and horseback riders. The Tsali Recreation Area offers opportunities for mountain biking and horseback riding; its trail system includes four loop trails. Tsali Campground offers 40 campsites.

Experience Cherokee History and Culture

The Junaluska Memorial and Museum displays Cherokee artifacts and contemporary Cherokee art. The Junaluska Museum presents the history of Junaluska and the Snowbird Cherokee through educational programs, interactive exhibits and traditional demonstrations. The Junaluska Memorial Site and Medicinal Trail offer a short, shaded path with inclines. There, visitors can learn how the Cherokee used plants for medicine and food.

Stecoah Valley Center offers culinary workshops for adults. Stecoah Artisan Gallery provides more than 100 local and regional artists from various fields with a platform for selling their work and receiving support. Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center helps preserve the culture of the Southern Appalachians through music programs, festivals, classes and other events. The annual Harvest Festival includes, among other things, a pie competition and demonstrations of traditional heritage. The Grand Stage at Stecoah Valley Center was built in 1926 and is located across from a restored log hall.

Scenic Roads and Choosing the Right Starting Point

For a trip focused on landscapes and scenic drives, the Cherohala Skyway is a prominent point of reference. It is designated as a National Scenic Byway, connects Tellico Plains with Robbinsville and runs as a paved, two-lane road for more than 40 miles. The Dragon is an 11-mile section of U.S. 129 with 318 curves. The Tail of the Dragon is one of the designated motorcycle and sports car routes in the area surrounding Graham County.

When looking for accommodation, it is worthwhile to first determine your preferred daily rhythm. Those who want to focus on hiking trails and forest landscapes can orient themselves toward the corresponding nature experiences. For water activities, Fontana Lake, Lake Santeetlah and the Cheoah offer different starting points. Those interested in culture can include museums, galleries and Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center in their plans. This way, the vacation rental is chosen not only by the name of the county, but to match the experiences you want to shape your trip.

Other destinations at the same level: Granville County, Brunswick, Franklin County, Columbus, Rockingham County, Rutherford County and Davie County.

For the higher-level travel overview: North Carolina.