Graham County Travel Brochure

Joyce KilmerMemorialForestTN

TN

NC

NC

Fontana

Dam

FONTANA

VILLAGE

Maple

Springs

Cheoah

Dam

Wolf

Laurel

P

P

TAPOCO

TOPTON

ALMOND

Yellow Creek

Oldfield

Gap

Yellow

BranchTuskeegee

Lake

Santeetlah

to Andrews, Murphy, Atlanta

to Bryson

City, Sylva,

Cherokee,

Asheville

to Maryville,Knoxville,

via Tail of the Dragon

Appalachian

Trail

to Tellico

Plains

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

NATIONAL PARK SWAIN COUNTY

SWAIN C

OUNTY

CHEROKEE COUNTYMasters

Mission

Dentons

Meadow Br.

Cheoah

River Nantahala

River

Stecoah

Valley

Center

East

Buffalo

Toba

cco

Bra

nch

Fran

ks C

reek

Bear

CreekAt

oah

P

Snowbird

Backcountry

BigSnowbird

Creek

Little

Snowbird

Creek

IU Gap

Santeetlah

Creek Rd

Lower

Sawyer Cr

Upper

Sawye

r CrSout

hFo

rk

Fontana Lake

Calderwood Lake

Cheoah Lake

Tsali

Cochran Creek

Appalach

ian T

rail WESSERWhitewater rafting

Whitewater rafting

MtnCr

OldUS129 Beech Creek

PinhookTOWN OF LAKE

SANTEETLAH

Tuckasegee River

LittleTennesseeRiver

Horse

Cove

Cheoah

Point

Gladdens Creek

P

Big Fat

Gap

Slickrock

Creek

P

Santeetlah

Dam

Tallulah

Swee

twat

er

Sweetgum

Cable

Cove Wolf Creek

Pant

her

Cre

ek

Mill

Creek

Dick

Branch

West

Buffalo

Hard

Slate

Hares

Creek

Jacks

Branch

129

129

129

129

Long

Cre

ek

143

143165

28

2828

Green

Gap

Orr

Branch Upper

Stecoah

Lower

Stecoah

19

19

P

74

74

Squally CrHuffman Cr

Coldspring

Gap

Porterfield

Gap

Tatham

Gap

143Bus.143

ROBBINSVILLE

143Rattler

Ford

P

P

STECOAH

EnglandBr

Masse

y BrJoyce Kilmer

Slickrock

Wilderness Area

N

SW

ENW

NE

SE

SW

Map by Ron Johnson

© 2000-2014

TailoftheDragon.com™

1974

GRAHAM COUNTY, NC

Rymers

Ferry

Anderson

CreekSnowbird

Begins HereAdventureWestern North Carolina

Your

The Blue Ridge Parkway The Parkway hosts the perfect diversity of beautiful and exhilarating scenery to enjoy while zipping down through the curvey road. Riders will find outstanding roads through the mountains of the Blue Ridge Mountains Parkway, which sits just a short ride from Graham County. Winding its way over mountaintops from Cherokee, North Carolina to Front Royal, Virginia, the 575 miles of asphalt road offers a unique perspective on the natural beauty of our area.

The Great Smoky MountainsTake a leisurely Sunday drive through the most visited National Park in the country, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Climbing 4,000 feet leaving Cherokee before reaching the Tennessee state line at New Found Gap, this roadway not only features scenes high atop the mountains, but the route is complete with wildlife habitats in the remote forests ranging from black bears, deer, fox, and elk that are often spotted in the distance.

Take a side route on the parkway to Clingman’s Dome. Standing at 6,643 feet, it is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.If you’re willing to make the steep half-mile hike to the observation tower on the summit of Clingman’s Dome, you’ll be treated to a spectacular 360° view of the Smokies and beyond.

The Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap (US 129)No need to imagine dragons, you’ll be riding one with this famous 11-mile trek of road! Complete with 318 curves and no two are alike, the Tail of the Dragon is considered one of the foremost motorcycle and sports car roads. With dangerous, hairsplitting turns said to resemble a dragon’s tail, this unique piece of blacktop is a challenge to all who come.

NC 28 - Moonshiner HighwayHeading east on NC 28 from US 129, the cooling waters of the Cheoah Lake is one of many wel-coming destinations. Along the drive, you’ll find the majesty of the Fontana Dam and Fontana Lake, and continuing east on NC 28 you will reach the historic Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center. NC 28 is also home to a stretch of pavement that is tailored perfectly for the driving enthusiast.

RoadsGateway to the roads you crave

Graham County is endowed with some of the highest rated motorcycle and sports car touring

roads in the world.

The Cherohala SkywayThe 36miles of scenic roadway known as the

Cherohala Skyway connects Robbinsville to Tellico Plains, TN and is one of the most gorgeous roads in NC. The Skyway is

considered to be the most expensive highway in NC; completed in the fall of 1996 after being under construction for some 34 years, this roadway carries a price tag of one billion dollars. Winding up and over 5,400 foot mountains for 15 miles in North Carolina before descending another 21 miles into the deeply forested backcountry of Tennessee, the road crosses through both the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests.


TN

NC

NC

Fontana

Dam

FONTANA

VILLAGE

Maple

Springs

Cheoah

Dam

Wolf

Laurel

P

P

TAPOCO

TOPTON

ALMOND

Yellow Creek

Oldfield

Gap

Yellow

BranchTuskeegee

Lake

Santeetlah


to Bryson

City, Sylva,

Cherokee,

Asheville



Appalachian

Trail

to Tellico

Plains



SWAIN C

OUNTY


Mission

Dentons

Meadow Br.

Cheoah

River Nantahala

River

Stecoah

Valley

Center

East

Buffalo

Toba

cco

Bra

nch

Fran

ks C

reek

Bear

CreekAt

oah

P

Snowbird

Backcountry

BigSnowbird

Creek

Little

Snowbird

Creek

IU Gap

Santeetlah

Creek Rd

Lower

Sawyer Cr

Upper

Sawye

r CrSout

hFo

rk

Fontana Lake

Calderwood Lake

Cheoah Lake

Tsali

Cochran Creek

Appalach

ian T


Whitewater rafting

MtnCr


PinhookTOWN OF LAKE

SANTEETLAH

Tuckasegee River


Horse

Cove

Cheoah

Point

Gladdens Creek

P

Big Fat

Gap

Slickrock

Creek

P

Santeetlah

Dam

Tallulah

Swee

twat

er

Sweetgum

Cable

Cove Wolf Creek

Pant

her

Cre

ek

Mill

Creek

Dick

Branch

West

Buffalo

Hard

Slate

Hares

Creek

Jacks

Branch

129

129

129

129

Long

Cre

ek

143

143165

28

2828

Green

Gap

Orr

Branch Upper

Stecoah

Lower

Stecoah

19

19

P

74

74


Coldspring

Gap

Porterfield

Gap

Tatham

Gap

143Bus.143

ROBBINSVILLE

143Rattler

Ford

P

P

STECOAH

EnglandBr

Masse

y BrJoyce Kilmer

Slickrock

Wilderness Area

N

SW

ENW

NE

SE

SW

Map by Ron Johnson

© 2000-2014


1974

GRAHAM COUNTY, NC

Rymers

Ferry

Anderson

CreekSnowbird

3,800-acres of virgin forestJoyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is home to virgin

trees that scrape the tips of the clouds at more than 100 feet tall and some 20 feet around. In this

most enriching, natural setting, we invite you to give up the necessities of everyday life and get lost in

the history and strength preserved at Joyce Kilmer.

Set foot in this virgin stand of old growth poplar unmarred by society. You can easily become engulfed in the fairy tale beauty of this forest.

Once used by the Cherokee Indians as an uncharted hunting ground, the beauty of the

forests extends beyond the trees, to an endless sea of natural treasures such as shrubs, vines,

ferns, mosses, and lichens.

The changing of the seasons brings new life and character to the forest with wildflower

blooms basking in the spring sunlight to the patchwork of colors descending to the forest’s

floor in the fall.

Nature enthusiasts of every age can become enthralled with the adventure of the countless

walking trails mapping out the forest’s boundaries. Stretching more than 60 miles, hiking trails provide an escape throughout

the 14,000 acre wilderness making up Joyce Kilmer. Meandering through fresh mountain

streams, misty waterfalls cascading over bold, sharp peaks and ridge tops, the hiking trails guide

you on an escapade through time.

Joyce KilmerMemorial Forest

Put boot to ground in Graham County with countless escape opportunities into the great outdoors. From hiking the 444 miles

of rugged wilderness trails, to zipping down any of the countless whitewater rapids found down the rivers, to something as tame

as enjoying a picnic alongside the banks of an untarnished creek bed, Graham County has plenty to offer.

Outdoorsand all it has to offer

Enjoy the

Fontana Lake & DamBuilt with the blood and sweat of true mountain men, the Fontana Dam was constructed in 1944 and remains the largest dam east of the Rockies. The serene waters of Fontana Lake have 12,000 acres of water surface and 240 miles of shoreline and provide numerous recreational opportunities for the outdoorsman. From boat rentals to public access boat ramps you can tour the open waters. Wait for the stars to come out and watch for them to fall beside a cozy campfire in one of the many campgrounds found around the lake.

Lake SanteetlahWith 80% of the 76 mile shoreline being National Forest, Lake Santeetlah will never be altered by private development. Located in the heart of Graham County, the lake’s natural beauty prompts Lake Santeetlah to be one of the most scenic mountain lakes in existence.Feel the sand beneath your feet on the shores of Cheoah Beach and kick back and enjoy the day with picnic tables, camping sites and public access into the waterways.

Cheoah Lake & DamThis hidden gem offers a quiet get-a-way for fishermen and boaters. Many people refer to the Cheoah Dam as Fugitive Dam because it was the location of Harrison Ford’s jump in the movie The Fugitive. At 225 feet in height, the dam was the highest overflow dam in the world when it was originally completed. The lake’s fish include lake, rainbow and brook trout, bass, crappie and bluegill.

Calderwood LakeCalderwood Lake, part of the Little Tennessee River, was formed in 1919 with the construction of Calderwood Dam. With a shoreline untouched by any man-made structure, the lake’s 8 mile long water surface is a peaceful, soul enriching experience.

Twice as many fish as Cheoah Lake and twice the size – steelhead!!


TN

NC

NC

Fontana

Dam

FONTANA

VILLAGE

Maple

Springs

Cheoah

Dam

Wolf

Laurel

P

P

TAPOCO

TOPTON

ALMOND

Yellow Creek

Oldfield

Gap

Yellow

BranchTuskeegee

Lake

Santeetlah


to Bryson

City, Sylva,

Cherokee,

Asheville



Appalachian

Trail

to Tellico

Plains



SWAIN C

OUNTY


Mission

Dentons

Meadow Br.

Cheoah

River Nantahala

River

Stecoah

Valley

Center

East

Buffalo

Toba

cco

Bra

nch

Fran

ks C

reek

Bear

CreekAt

oah

P

Snowbird

Backcountry

BigSnowbird

Creek

Little

Snowbird

Creek

IU Gap

Santeetlah

Creek Rd

Lower

Sawyer Cr

Upper

Sawye

r CrSout

hFo

rk

Fontana Lake

Calderwood Lake

Cheoah Lake

Tsali

Cochran Creek

Appalach

ian T


Whitewater rafting

MtnCr


PinhookTOWN OF LAKE

SANTEETLAH

Tuckasegee River


Horse

Cove

Cheoah

Point

Gladdens Creek

P

Big Fat

Gap

Slickrock

Creek

P

Santeetlah

Dam

Tallulah

Swee

twat

er

Sweetgum

Cable

Cove Wolf Creek

Pant

her

Cre

ek

Mill

Creek

Dick

Branch

West

Buffalo

Hard

Slate

Hares

Creek

Jacks

Branch

129

129

129

129

Long

Cre

ek

143

143165

28

2828

Green

Gap

Orr

Branch Upper

Stecoah

Lower

Stecoah

19

19

P

74

74


Coldspring

Gap

Porterfield

Gap

Tatham

Gap

143Bus.143

ROBBINSVILLE

143Rattler

Ford

P

P

STECOAH

EnglandBr

Masse

y BrJoyce Kilmer

Slickrock

Wilderness Area

N

SW

ENW

NE

SE

SW

Map by Ron Johnson

© 2000-2014


1974

GRAHAM COUNTY, NC

Rymers

Ferry

Anderson

CreekSnowbird

Relive the days of the pioneer with more than 400 miles of trails that can be found in our county. The trails winding through the county offer camping,

back road sightseeing, nature photography, trout fishing, hunting, birding, and endless outdoor activities.

Appalachian TrailAs it meanders some 2,000 miles up and down the eastern United States, the Appalachian Trail passes through Graham County on its way from Georgia to Maine. The hiking trail from Stecoah Gap to Cheoah Bald features a 12.5 mile round trip along the Appalachian Trail. Benton MacKaye Trail The Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) drifts through the Appalachian Mountains for 288 miles. The Benton MacKaye Trail follows the border of Graham County with terrain designed for foot travel in the tradition of the Appalachian Trail. With multiple trailheads to access Benton MacKaye in Graham County, this route has been a destination for hikers for nearly 35 years.

Bartram TrailSection 7 of the North Carolina Bartram Trail allows hikers to climb out of the Nantahala River Gorge on the way to the summit of Cheoah Bald. The 6.6 miles of trail can only be described as legendary as it features views of the 50’ Bartram Falls waterfall.

Hiking & TrailsThe RiversWestern North Carolina offers some of the best whitewater rafting and kayaking east of the Mississippi. The Nantahala River barges through the mountains and has something that the entire family can enjoy. From guided trips or braving the crisp, cool mountain waters alone, the river is ready to be conquered by all. The rivers in Graham County are a perfect mix of hatchery supported streams and wild waters, making them the perfect fishing destination. Graham County features some of the most popular native trout streams on the east coast. The upper reaches of Big Snowbird Creek are top notch and not only provide the best fishing possible, the trek to reach

the creek adds a sense of time travel to an earlier, more

frontiersman way of life.

Points of Interest

Joyce Kilmer

MemorialForest

TN

TN

NC

NC

FontanaDam

FONTANAVILLAGE

MapleSprings

CheoahDam

WolfLaurel

P

P

TAPOCO

TOPTON

ALMOND

Yellow Creek

OldfieldGap

YellowBranch

Tuskeegee

LakeSanteetlah


to Bryson City, Sylva, Cherokee, Asheville

to Maryville,Knoxville,via Tail of the Dragon

AppalachianTrail

to TellicoPlains

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

SWAIN COUNTY

SWAIN COUNTY

CHEROKEE COUNTY

MastersMission

Dentons

Meadow Br.

CheoahRiver

NantahalaRiver

StecoahValleyCenter

EastBuffalo

Toba

cco

Bran

ch

Franks Creek

BearCreek

Atoah

PSnowbirdBackcountry

BigSnowbirdCreek Little

SnowbirdCreek

IU Gap

SanteetlahCreek Rd

LowerSawyer Cr

Upper

Sawyer Cr

South

Fork

Fontana Lake

Calderwood Lake

Cheoah Lake

TsaliCochran Creek

Appalachian Trail

WESSER

Whitewater rafting

Whitewater rafting

MtnCrOld

US129

Beech Creek

Pinhook

TOWN OF LAKESANTEETLAH

Tuckasegee River

Little

Tennessee

River

Horse Cove

CheoahPoint

Gladdens Creek

P

Big FatGap

Slickrock Creek P

Santeetlah Dam

Tallulah

Sweetwater

Sweetgum

CableCove

Wolf Creek

Pant

her

Cre

ek

MillCreek

DickBranch

WestBuffalo

HardSlate

HaresCreek

JacksBranch

129

129

129

129

Long

Cre

ek

143

143

165

28

28

28

GreenGap

OrrBranch

UpperStecoah

LowerStecoah

19

19

P

74

74

Squally Cr

Huffman Cr

ColdspringGap

PorterfieldGap

TathamGap

143Bus.

143 ROBBINSVILLE143

Rattler Ford

P

P

STECOAH

England

Br

Massey Br

Joyce KilmerSlickrock

Wilderness Area

N

S

W ENW NE

SESW

Map by Ron Johnson© 2000-2014


19 74

GRAHAM COUNTY, NC

RymersFerry

AndersonCreek

Snowbird

GrahamCountyTravel.com 828.479.3790Town of Robbinsville 828.479.3250Fontana Dam Visitor Center 828.498.2234StecoahValleyCenter.com 828.479.3364Junaluska Museum & Memorial 828.479.4727Cheoah Ranger Station 828.479.6431

Contact Info

Miles to Robbinsville from: Asheville = 96; Atlanta = 160; Chattanooga = 120; Charlotte = 206; Knoxville = 75; Nashville = 240; Raleigh = 337

1 2 3 4 5

A

B

C

D

E

Fontana Dam

Tsali Recreational Park

Santeetlah Bike Trails

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Cheoah Beach & Campgrounds

Yellow Creek Falls

Tail of the Dragon

The Overlook at Maple Springs

The Appalachian Trail & Stecoah Gap

Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center

Yellow Branch Cheese & Pottery

Junaluska Memorial and Museum

Cherohala Skyway & hiking trails

Slickrock Wilderness Area & Hiking Trails

Snowbird Picnic Area

The Swinging Bridge

Cheoah Ranger Station

B6

C10

E4

D3

D4

C4

A3

D2

D8

E2

E4

E5

C4

A5-E10

B7

C3

F

G

H

D1-E3

Graham County, NC

Joyce Kilmer

MemorialForest

TN

TN

NC

NC

FontanaDam

FONTANAVILLAGE

MapleSprings

CheoahDam

WolfLaurel

P

P

TAPOCO

TOPTON

ALMOND

Yellow Creek

OldfieldGap

YellowBranch

Tuskeegee

LakeSanteetlah




AppalachianTrail

to TellicoPlains


SWAIN COUNTY

SWAIN COUNTY

CHEROKEE COUNTY

MastersMission

Dentons

Meadow Br.

CheoahRiver

NantahalaRiver

StecoahValleyCenter

EastBuffalo

Toba

cco

Bran

ch

Franks Creek

BearCreek

Atoah



SnowbirdCreek

IU Gap

SanteetlahCreek Rd

LowerSawyer Cr

Upper

Sawyer Cr

South

Fork

Fontana Lake

Calderwood Lake

Cheoah Lake

TsaliCochran Creek

Appalachian Trail

WESSER

Whitewater rafting

Whitewater rafting

MtnCrOld

US129

Beech Creek

Pinhook


Tuckasegee River

Little

Tennessee

River

Horse Cove

CheoahPoint

Gladdens Creek

P

Big FatGap

Slickrock Creek P

Santeetlah Dam

Tallulah

Sweetwater

Sweetgum

CableCove

Wolf Creek

Pant

her

Cre

ek

MillCreek

DickBranch

WestBuffalo

HardSlate

HaresCreek

JacksBranch

129

129

129

129

Long

Cre

ek

143

143

165

28

28

28

GreenGap

OrrBranch

UpperStecoah

LowerStecoah

19

19

P

74

74

Squally Cr

Huffman Cr

ColdspringGap

PorterfieldGap

TathamGap

143Bus.

143 ROBBINSVILLE143

Rattler Ford

P

P

STECOAH

England

Br

Massey Br


Wilderness Area

N

S

W ENW NE

SESW



19 74

GRAHAM COUNTY, NC

RymersFerry

AndersonCreek

Snowbird

Joyce Kilmer

MemorialForest

TN

TN

NC

NC

FontanaDam

FONTANAVILLAGE

MapleSprings

CheoahDam

WolfLaurel

P

P

TAPOCO

TOPTON

ALMOND

Yellow Creek

OldfieldGap

YellowBranch

Tuskeegee

LakeSanteetlah




AppalachianTrail

to TellicoPlains


SWAIN COUNTY

SWAIN COUNTY

CHEROKEE COUNTY

MastersMission

Dentons

Meadow Br.

CheoahRiver

NantahalaRiver

StecoahValleyCenter

EastBuffalo

Toba

cco

Bran

ch

Franks Creek

BearCreek

Atoah



SnowbirdCreek

IU Gap

SanteetlahCreek Rd

LowerSawyer Cr

Upper

Sawyer Cr

South

Fork

Fontana Lake

Calderwood Lake

Cheoah Lake

TsaliCochran Creek

Appalachian Trail

WESSER

Whitewater rafting

Whitewater rafting

MtnCrOld

US129

Beech CreekPinhook


Tuckasegee River

Little

Tennessee

River

Horse Cove

CheoahPoint

Gladdens Creek

P

Big FatGap

Slickrock Creek P

Santeetlah Dam

Tallulah

Sweetwater

Sweetgum

CableCove

Wolf Creek

Pant

her

Cre

ek

MillCreek

DickBranch

WestBuffalo

HardSlate

HaresCreek

JacksBranch

129

129

129

129

Long

Cre

ek

143

143

165

28

28

28

GreenGap

OrrBranch

UpperStecoah

LowerStecoah

19

19

P

74

74

Squally Cr

Huffman Cr

ColdspringGap

PorterfieldGap

TathamGap

143Bus.

143 ROBBINSVILLE143

Rattler Ford

P

P

STECOAH

England

Br

Massey Br


Wilderness Area

N

S

W ENW NE

SESW



19 74

GRAHAM COUNTY, NC

RymersFerry

AndersonCreek

Snowbird

Miles to Robbinsville from: Asheville = 96; Atlanta = 160; Chattanooga = 120; Charlotte = 206; Knoxville = 75; Nashville = 240; Raleigh = 337

Knoxville

Asheville

Johnson City

Cleveland

TNNC

Robbinsville

Graham County

4-Lane Roads

Primary Roads

Secondary Roads

Gravel Roads

County Line

Creeks

Camping

Trailhead Parking

Appalachian Trail

Bike Trails

P

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Yellow Creek FallsClose to the Cheoah River, Yellow Creek Falls is just a swift .33 mile hike off the roadside. Framed by the greenery of mountain wildlife, Yellow Creek Falls offers a quick excursion just north of Robbinsville.

Wildcat FallsHidden off of Slickrock Creek Trail, Wildcat Falls flows out of Slickrock Creek down Unicoi Mountain in the Nantahala National Forest. A 2.6 mile hike from the trailhead, Wildcat Falls is comprised of three falls in close proximity with a crystal clear swimming hole at the bottom.

Sassafras FallsThe basin containing Sassafras Falls was once used by the Cherokee Indians as a hideout during the Removal of 1838. After hiking 3.5 miles out of the basin, Sassafras Falls can be found rushing down 50 feet of rock.

Big FallsJust a short 3.9 mile hike up Snowbird Mountain, this small, multi-level cascade flows out of the banks of Snowbird Creek. A steep side trail leads to the base of the cascade, a perfect place to enjoy the view.

Middle Falls A 20 foot high waterfall tucked away in the Nantahala National Forest, Middle Falls sits just a 5.1 mile hike up Snowbird Mountain.

Upper FallsHidden from view by overgrown vegetation, Upper Falls sits at the end of a 6.3 mile long trail in the Nantahala National Forest. The trail leading to the falls runs along an old narrow-gauge railroad grade.

From roadside to those just a hike up the mountain, Graham County has several waterfalls waiting to be discovered.

Surrounded by rich, green foliage, these roadside treasures cascade down the mountain, flowing with the sounds of

tranquility.

Waterfallsand Sight Seeing


TN

NC

NC

Fontana

Dam

FONTANA

VILLAGE

Maple

Springs

Cheoah

Dam

Wolf

Laurel

P

P

TAPOCO

TOPTON

ALMOND

Yellow Creek

Oldfield

Gap

Yellow

BranchTuskeegee

Lake

Santeetlah


to Bryson

City, Sylva,

Cherokee,

Asheville



Appalachian

Trail

to Tellico

Plains



SWAIN C

OUNTY


Mission

Dentons

Meadow Br.

Cheoah

River Nantahala

River

Stecoah

Valley

Center

East

Buffalo

Toba

cco

Bra

nch

Fran

ks C

reek

Bear

CreekAt

oah

P

Snowbird

Backcountry

BigSnowbird

Creek

Little

Snowbird

Creek

IU Gap

Santeetlah

Creek Rd

Lower

Sawyer Cr

Upper

Sawye

r CrSout

hFo

rk

Fontana Lake

Calderwood Lake

Cheoah Lake

Tsali

Cochran Creek

Appalach

ian T


Whitewater rafting

MtnCr


PinhookTOWN OF LAKE

SANTEETLAH

Tuckasegee River


Horse

Cove

Cheoah

Point

Gladdens Creek

P

Big Fat

Gap

Slickrock

Creek

P

Santeetlah

Dam

Tallulah

Swee

twat

er

Sweetgum

Cable

Cove Wolf Creek

Pant

her

Cre

ek

Mill

Creek

Dick

Branch

West

Buffalo

Hard

Slate

Hares

Creek

Jacks

Branch

129

129

129

129

Long

Cre

ek

143

143165

28

2828

Green

Gap

Orr

Branch Upper

Stecoah

Lower

Stecoah

19

19

P

74

74


Coldspring

Gap

Porterfield

Gap

Tatham

Gap

143Bus.143

ROBBINSVILLE

143Rattler

Ford

P

P

STECOAH

EnglandBr

Masse

y BrJoyce Kilmer

Slickrock

Wilderness Area

N

SW

ENW

NE

SE

SW

Map by Ron Johnson

© 2000-2014


1974

GRAHAM COUNTY, NC

Rymers

Ferry

Anderson

CreekSnowbird

Horseback Riding Climb in the saddle and experience the mountains like never before.

The trails in the Great Smoky Mountains are the perfect place to take guided horseback riding tours, where you can rent a horse or

bring your own and become a true trailblazer in the process.

Biking Three phenomenal places to mountain bike are through the roads of Fontana, around the trails at the Tsali Recreation Area, and the new

Santeetlah Bike Trails! Each offer trails specifically for bikers that drift around the mountains and deliver excellent experiences. Are

you up to the challenge that the Cherohala Skyway offers for road bikers? Dare to accept the challenge and explore the twists and

turns of the asphalt!

Hunting With a diverse selection of wildlife and hunting seasons, Graham

County attracts a variety of hunters. Beginning in April with Turkey season, the hunting seasons in Graham continue through December

with hunting opportunities for Black Bears, the Russian Blue Boar, Gray/Red Squirrels and Deer. Book a trip with

Cherokee Whitetail Hunting Preserve.

Group VenuesWeddings, Reunions, Retreats

The tranquil settings of the mountains of Graham County offer the perfect destination for any wedding, reunion, or business event. With a diverse range of meeting and function space rentals priced to match any group’s budget, family reunions, weddings, church groups, motorcycle associations, car associations, corporate retreats and countless others are welcomed to Graham County year after year. Surrounded by the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains and pristine walls of National Forests, retreats to Graham County will revitalize any group.

AdventuresTrails & Paths to Adventure

Outdoor

From historical notables such as Junaluska, a leader of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, to pop culture icons like Country music legend Ronnie Milsap, Graham County has been home to a diverse group of prominent figures. The views of Graham County have also played their own rolls in various blockbuster hits.

Junaluska was born in 1775 and played a crucial role in Cherokee history. Junaluska is infamously known for saving Andrew Jackson’s life during battle.

Made famous by the Discovery Channel television show Moonshiners, Jim Tom Hedrick along with Jeff, Mark, Lance, and Wayne are still practicing

one of the oldest professions in the mountains, moonshining.

American Country music singer and pianist Ronnie Milsap was born in Graham

County. Known as country music’s first successful blind singer, Milsap is one of the most versatile country singers of his time.

Harrison Ford helped put Graham County on the map when he infamously

jumped off the Cheoah Dam for the movie The Fugitive.

Jodie Foster is also no stranger to the Great Smoky Mountains, as she spent time in Graham County during the filming of the movie Nell, which was filmed near Robbinsville and around Fontana Lake.

Other films include Silent film, Stark Love 1927, Last of the Mohicans 1992, Fugitive 1993, Nell 1994, In Dreams 1994, and Forces of Nature 1999.

Jim Tom Hedrick Photo by Tina Indelicato

Celebrities

Events

Jim Tom Hedrick

WinterWinterfest - DecemberPolar Plunge - January

FallSCCA Dragon Hillclimb - September & MarchArtisan Drive About - NovemberBlack Knights High School Football - Fridays August-NovemberHarvest Festival at Stecoah Valley Center - October

SummerRelay for Life - JuneArtisan Drive About - JuneAppalachian Evenings at Stecoah Valley - June thru AugustHeritage Festival - Week of July 4thThe Dam Race 1 mile fun run and 5k & 10k - August

SpringHiker Haze - MarchSCCA Dragon Hillclimb - March & SeptemberDelayed Harvest Fishing - October-MaySpring Bluegrass Festival - MayMusic on the Square in Robbinsville - Fridays, May-SeptemberA Time to Remember - May at Fontana Village Resort Artisan DriveCheoah River Release for Whitewater Raftng - 10 weekends

Year-round Happenings

& Film


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© 2000-2014


1974

GRAHAM COUNTY, NC

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Ferry

Anderson

CreekSnowbird

Discoverthe Arts, Agriculture & Heritage of Graham County

T he mountain escape of Graham County, North Carolina is enclosed by rugged, towering mountains on all sides and is rich in a history that has been

preserved through time.

Home of Native American Indians for untold centuries before the arrival of trappers and settlers in the 1700s, Graham County remained remote well into the late 1800s. Established in 1872, it was one of the last counties formed in North Carolina.

The first settlers in the region followed trails that were made by buffalo and later used by the Indians. The Snowbird Indians are the heirs of a great and powerful Cherokee Indian nation that existed in the Southern Appalachian Region long before the white settlers moved into these mountains. Today, the tribe continues in teaching and sharing their language, crafts and heritage within the area. Make a stop at the Junaluska Heritage Museum or participate in one of their annual festival like Fading Voices or the Wreath Laying Ceremony at Chief Junaluska’s gravesite.

The remoteness of the region can easily enchant even the most stoic of scrooges. A large portion of the county

falls within the borders of National Forest lands, allowing the area to

remain a vacation retreat for

decades to come.

Robbinsville, the county seat, has a population of about 2,000. There are traffic jams twice each year - for homecoming and the Christmas parade. The biggest celebration of the year is the annual 4th of July Heritage Festival with local arts and crafts, music, street dancing and various events.

Visitors are invited to experience the arts and culture of the mountains year round at Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center. Housed in a restored 1926 native rock schoolhouse, the Center hosts many events and enrichment programs for all ages. These events include the summer concert series, An Appalachian Evening, a high-end retail artisans gallery featuring the fine crafts of over 150 artists, two annual festivals, classes in the textile studio and a visitors center. The center also hosts a farmers market from late June to September that features veggies, jams, jellies, baked goods and more from area farmers and gardeners. The name Stecoah is derived from the Cherokee language. The term “Usdi Gohi,” meaning “little place” was applied to many places by the Cherokee, but here the words became “Stecoah” and the name stuck.

The rare assets found in the county’s pristine forests, cherished mountain lakes and creeks, scenic roadways and unique history and culture, paired with the southern hospitality of its residents, make Graham County the perfect escape for those looking for a country mile, instead of a city minute.

400 Year Old Trees Four Majestic Lakes

Mountains of Relaxation & Largest Dam East of The Rockies

Graham

County Travel &

TourismYour W

estern North C

arolina Adventure B

egins Here

387 Rodney O

rr Bypass (Visitor C

enter)12 N

. Main S

t.R

obbinsville, NC

28771

Graham

CountyTravel.com Phone: 828-479-3790 Toll Free 800-470-3790 Em

ail: info@graham

countytravel.com

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Graham County, North Carolina

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