5 Things We Love About Western North Carolina

We’re a pretty lucky family. This business allows us to hike and camp in some pretty spectacular places; from the coasts of Maine to the mountains of Patagonia and LOTS of places in between, we’ve seen a lot in our 30+ years of adventure travel. 

One of the places we return to again and again is the mountains of western North Carolina. Below are just some of the reasons that North Carolina is on our regular rotation.

The Smokies are drivable for 2/3 of the US population

1. Its proximity makes it a perfect getaway for a long weekend or week-long trip. The Smoky Mountains are considered driving distance for two-thirds of the US population Because of this, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the nation’s busiest with over 12 million visitors each year.

2. Even with this high visitation rate, the western side in North Carolina is the “quiet side.” While Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge receive the bulk of visitation, those seeking a more serene experience can head to North Carolina for more than 900 miles of hiking and biking trails. With all this room to spread out, one rarely feels crowded out on the trail or in the parking lot!

A familiar scene in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

3. The Cherokee Museum in Cherokee, NC.  There is a huge collection of artifacts and a timeline which lays out the history of the Cherokee, including their forced removal to reservation lands in Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. This is a can’t miss stop as it supports a fuller understanding of the history of this region.

Isn’t the idea to stay IN the boat?

4. Water, water, WATER. Seemingly every hike leads to a waterfall or swimming hole. There are whitewater runs on the French Broad, the Pigeon, and the Nantahala. You can paddle any number of lakes, such as Fontana, Junaluska, Hiawassee, or Bear Creek. And for an idyllic lazy summer day, we love tubing on Deep Creek.

5. The wildlife is pretty spectacular. From the Elk in Smokemont to the bears and salamanders everywhere, the Smokies are teeming with wildilfe. And because of its quieter character, your chances of seeing something new is much greater on this side of the national park.

For these reasons and many more, we believe our five day North Carolina trip is the perfect introduction to overnight camping. With no extended backcountry camping, our campers have a consistent home each night (and running water and flush toilets!), while still being able to sample the variety of some of our longer trips. For those who have done day camps or sleep away camps and are ready for a little more, our North Carolina trip can’t be beat!