Local Resources
Recreation in the Mountains
Western North Carolina
Cherokee Countyis a water wonderland where rivers meet under blue skies. Flowing southwest through Andrews, the Valley River leads back down the valley to Murphy where the Valley River flows into the Hiwassee Lake. The Hiwassee River runs directly through the quaint town of Murphy and then flows northwest into Hiwassee Lake.
Flowing north from Union County, Georgiathe Nottely River, also flows into the broad channels of Hiwassee Lake, in northern Cherokee County. Hiwassee Lake's northern shores are located below the southwest region of the remote Unicoi Mountains. The waters of the Hiwassee River continue on to Appalachia Lake and exit the Appalachia Dam at the very edge of the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. Here the river bends and joins an extraordinary engineering feat, created by a turn of the century railroad in order to follow the picturesque Hiwassee River through the mountains and into the Tennessee River Valley.
Historic Murphy was founded on the banks of the Hiwassee River and named after Colonel Archibald D. Murphy, a state senator and advocate of education in Western North Carolina. Murphy is known as either the first or last town in North Carolina, depending on which way your going or coming from. You will find antique shops, art galleries, restaurants, cabin rentals, bed and breakfasts, and other lodging accommodations. The beautiful scenery, nearby recreations and local history make Cherokee County an enjoyable place to visit.
Cherokee Country offers Horseback Riding, Fly Fishing, Water Sports, Jet Skis, White Water Rafting , Golf, and Mountain Biking .Catch the surge and ride the rapids on the exciting 
Ocoee River in Tennessee or North Carolina's Nantahala Riverfor an experience you will never forget. Challenge your hiking skills on the ridges and vallies or our mountains just for the thrill. You might sit tall in the saddle for a leisure ride through the beautiful scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Consider camping out or staying in a log cabin while letting the kids explore nature. Western North Carolina has a wealth of beautiful, waterfalls, most within all within a casual walk, some you can even see from the road. All are worth a trip and a photograph. You may visit for a week and stay a life time, as many of us have done.
Nantahala Forest Service
The Nantahala National Forestwas established in 1920 and took its name from the Cherokee word nondayeli, meaning "noonday sun.The Nantahala National Forest has more than 516,000 acres which span from Murphy to Waynesville and Cashiers to Fontana Village. It runs across the crest of mountains. It is North Carolina's largest national forest. Nantahala National Foresthas hundreds of waterfalls, as well as river valleys and lakes in the lower lands. It ranges in elevation from a low of 1,200 feet on the Tusquitee River to a high of 5,800 feet at Lone Bald.
Appalachian Ski Mountain Resort, 4000 foot summit with 365 foot vertical drop, 10 slopes and trails, five lifts, equipment rentals, ski school, children's program snowboarding, ice skating, ski racing, Appalachian Ski Mtn. P.O. Box 106, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 - 828-295-7828
Cataloochee Ski Area5,400 foot summit with 740 foot vertical drop, `4 slopes and trails, seven lifts, ski and snowboard school, equipment rentals, children's program, snow tubing. 2007 Cataloochee Ski Area • 828-926-0285 • 800-768-0285 • 1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28
Hawksnest Ski Resort4819 foot summit with 619 foost vertical drop, 12 slopes and trails, five lifts, equipment rental, ski school, children's program, snowboarding, night skiing, 2058 Skyland Dr.., Seven Devils, NC 28604, 828-963-6561
Sapphire Valley Ski Area & Frozen Falls Tube Park, 4300 foot summit with 200 foot vertical drop, 2 slopes for beginner and intermediate skiers, ski and snowboard school, equipment rental, snowboarding. 4350 Highway 64 West, Sapphire, NC 28774 828-743-1169
Ski Beech Mountain Resort, 5506 foot summit (highest resort in Eastern America), 15 slopes and trails, 1- lifts, ski and snowboard school, equipment rental, children's program, snowboarding, night skiing, ice skating, pro and amateur racing. 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain NC 28604 828-387-2011
Sugar Mountain Resort, 5300 foot summit with 1,200 vertical drop, 20 slopes, eight lifts, equipment rentals, ski and snowboard school, night skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating, NASTAR racing. 1009 Sugar Mountain Dr., Banner Elk, NC 28604 1-800 SUGARMT
WolfRidge Ski Resort,4,700 foot summit with 700 foot vertical drop, 20 slopes, six lifts 14 slopes and trails, ski and snowboard school, children's program, snowboarding, snow tubing 578 Valley View Circle, Mars Hill, NC 28754 828-689-4111
Pisgah Forest Service
Pisgah takes its name from the mountain where Moses saw the Promise Land. Today Pisgah occupies 495,979 acres divided by the city of Asheville. One hundred miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway are surrounded by Pisgah National Forest.
Western North Carolina Forest Service
The most western part of the state, called the mountain region because of the Appalachian Mountains that run through the area, is characterized by vast hardwood forests composed of a variety of oaks, maples, beech, poplar and many others. The tallest peaks that reach over 5,000 feet are forested with red spruce and Fraser Fir. Hemlock forests are found along streams at lower elevations and in some moist ravines at higher elevations.
Fishing
The National Forests in North Carolina go from the mountains to the Atlantic Ocean with over 5,700 miles of streams and 38,000 acres of lakes offering both warmwater and coldwater fishing. Some waters are stocked, while others support wild fish populations. Some of the best trout fishing in the state can be found on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. Rainbow, brown, and brook trout are ready to test your fishing skills! If you prefer lake fishing, there are numerous lakes and ponds available for going after largemouth bass and bream.
Bear Paw Marina
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Lake Hiwassee is one of the most picturesque vacation retreats in the southeast. With most of its 163 miles of shoreline preserved by the Nantahala National Forest, Lake Hiwassee's breathtaking beauty remains unspoiled.
North Carolina Wildlife Commission’s site for fishing.
Check on seasons/stocking, maps, etc.
Union county is 204,736 acres, with 97,843 of that being a part of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Union County offers a wealth of recreational pursuits. A hiker's paradise, any adventurer will discover unlimited scenic beauty in the unspoiled Chattahoochee National Forest or the lesser known trails of Duncan Ridge and the Benton MacKaye Trail. Several waterfalls are within a days hike including DeSoto Falls, Dukes Creek Falls and horse Trough Falls. You'll find many opportunities for camping, hiking, picnicking, gold panning and fishing
Georgia County Parks Interactive Map
Tennessee
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort, 3300 foot summit with 600 foot vertical drop, 8 slopes and trails, 3 lifts, ski school, equipment rentals, night skiing. 1001 Parkway, Gatlingurg, TN 37728 1-865-436-5423
