Sylva, North Carolina
Sylva, North Carolina is a great destination for outdoor adventures! From scenic hikes to must-visit attractions, there's something for everyone. For the hikers, the area offers plenty of trails to explore, including the popular Tuckasegee River Trail and the Cullowhee Mountain Trail. For those looking for a more leisurely experience, the area also offers several parks and gardens, such as the Jackson County Park and the Balsam Mountain Preserve. For a truly unique experience, visitors can explore the area's many caves, such as the Bearwallow Mountain Cave and the Big Witch Cave. For a more traditional activity, visitors can take a stroll through the downtown area to explore the many shops and restaurants. No matter what type of activity you're looking for, Sylva, North Carolina has something to offer!
Top Spots in and near Sylva
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Bryson City, North Carolina
Deep Creek Loop
5.05.01 mi / 892 ft gainAfter parking in the Deep Creek Campground parking lot follow the signs for the Deep Creek Trailhead. The Tom Branch waterfall is just .3 miles on the right side. Hike another .5 miles, at the next intersection stay right, and you will approach Indian Creek Falls. After viewing the falls you ca...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Hike Three Waterfalls Loop
5.02.4 mi / 450 ft gainStart the loop by hiking the Juney Whank Falls Trail to Juney Whank Falls. The footbridge across the creek makes an excellent place to rest and take in the falls. Follow the trail across the bridge and up the bank. After about 300 feet take a right and follow Deep Creek Horse Trail towards Deep C...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook
5.07 mi / 2300 ft gainTo start the hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook begin from the Noland Divide Trailhead in Deep Creek. The trail is a steady climb with an average gain of 700 ft. every mile. Approaching the top you'll walk along a rocky ridge line where you are able to see the overlook. As you continue, be sure to lo...Read more -
Maggie Valley, United States
Hemphill Bald
Hemphill Bald is a quintessential Smoky Mountains vantage point and this moderate loop trail leading to it takes you through beautiful forest and rolling hills. This area is incredible in all seasons - wildflowers in the spring, colorful leaves in the fall, and with bare trees in the winter, the ...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Explore Old 288 and the Lands Creek Bridge
2.51 miNC 288 was constructed in the 1920's, but did not last long with the construction of the Fontana Dam as the resulting lake covered the highway. The U.S. government entered an agreement in which they would provide a replacement road, but to this day it has not been completed and is know by locals ...Read more -
Cullowhee, North Carolina
Hike to Yellow Mountain Fire Tower via Cloud Catcher Lane
5.01.5 mi / 700 ft gainYellow Mountain Fire Tower features some of the best views, looking out over both the Northern Georgia mountains as well as seeing the flat-lands of South Carolina past the mountain ranges. This hike is pretty well known for its 12-mile round trip trek, starting in Cashiers, NC, however, there's ...Read more -
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
Paradise Falls
4.30.74 mi / 167 ft gainTo the north of Panthertown lies a chain of dammed lakes that are some of the most peaceful waters in Western North Carolina. These make up the headwaters of the East Fork of the Tuckasegee River. The gorges that run between the top lakes are wild, scenic, and adventurous to even the most experie...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Charlies Bunion via Kephart Loop
14.14 mi / 3671 ft gainCharlies Bunion via Kephart Loop is a loop trail located near Cherokee, North Carolina. This is a longer version of the Charlies Bunion hike starting from the Newfound Gap parking lot. The added benefit of this longer loop is the opportunity to see more of the Great Smokey Mountains! You'll pass ...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Kephart Prong Trail, Great Smoky Mountains NP
5.03.92 mi / 850 ft gainKephart Prong is a pretty easy hike in close proximity to the Visitor Center on the North Carolina Side of GSMNP. 2 miles up the trail, you'll arrive at Kephart Shelter, where you can rest and enjoy vies of the Kephart Prong. Once you've had your fill, head back down the way you came. During th...Read more -
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
Hike to Dill Falls
0.4 mi / 400 ft gainThe drive to this waterfall can be a little muddy when there is a lot of rain and can need an AWD or 4WD in the rain. The road has some new gravel laid in parts so it could be improved in a few months. In the summer there is also a chance of seeing large dump trucks and logging trucks, but the ro...Read more -
Glenville, North Carolina
Hike to Frolictown Falls
1.5 mi / 350 ft gainThis is an awesome hike to do if you're short on time or have hours to kill. Because it is so easy to access, it doesn't take very long to get down to it and can be accessed by two separate trails. Both trails are well maintained, however, while there are some blazes, it is not heavily marked. Th...Read more -
Glenville, North Carolina
Hike to Granny Burrell Falls
2.4 mi / 440 ft gainPanthertown Valley has a unique system of trails, with each trail having a specific number. Some of the trails listed at the information hut in the parking lot are accessed by taking one or two other trails to get to the start of the trail you are seeking. That is the case when hiking to Granny B...Read more -
Glenville, North Carolina
Hike to Wilderness Falls
1.4 mi / 300 ft gainWilderness Falls offers a beautiful hike with a simple yet captivating falls. All of the maintained trails in Pantertown Valley are marked by a number system (there is an information hut in the parking lot with information about other local trails, distance of different trails, and emergency cont...Read more -
Glenville, North Carolina
Hike to Blackrock Overlook
3 mi / 700 ft gainThis is probably one of my favorite hikes I've done in Panthertown Valley. Its also one of the easier views to access. You start from the Salt Rock Gap Parking lot, taking the Blackrock Trail (447) up Blackrock Mountain. This trail is located about 100 yards to the left if you are standing lookin...Read more -
Highlands, North Carolina
Explore Cullasaja Falls
5.00.3 mi / 200 ft gainThis is an awesome waterfall that offers views from several different spots along the road as well as a quick hike down to the base! The small pull-off area is located towards the top of the falls. There isn't much space (3 maybe 4 cars at a time), but there are additional pull-off areas further ...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Southern Smokies: Fontana Lake to Clingman's Dome
4.520.39 mi / 5750 ft gainThis is a strenuous (though not technical) hike that really showcases the forests, creeks, and (eventually) the highest point of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As this is a point-to-point route, you will want to have two vehicles - one that you can leave at Clingman's Dome and one that you ...Read more
