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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Townsend, Tennessee
Spruce Flats Falls
4.81.64 mi / 495 ft gainTo get to Spruce Flats Falls, you will want to drive down 2.2 miles down the scenic Tremont Road to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute and park in the visitor center parking area. You will then want to ascend up the gravel road past the sign that says restricted to unrestricted traffic (meaning ...Read more -
Del Rio, Tennessee
Max Patch Mountain
5.01.51 mi / 315 ft gainMax Patch Mountain was once cleared for pasture land, leaving an expansive flat summit that now serves as the ideal location for a picnic hike, flying a kite, or laying in the sun surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family (and ...Read more -
Salem, South Carolina
Camp on Lake Jocassee
4.8To avoid the regret of cutting your trip too short, go ahead and book a campsite. Come as a walk-in or reserve your site. Either way, you will have to check in at the Park Office. Upon check-in, you will receive your map and general information. Check-in time for camping is 2PM. The only publi...Read more -
Fontana Dam, North Carolina
Shuckstack Fire Tower
5.08.84 mi / 2605 ft gainYour Shuckstack adventure starts at the Fontana Dam outside of Bryson City, NC. As the highest dam East of the Rocky Mountains, it's a sight on its own. This will be your last chance to fill up water bottles and use the restroom so take advantage. You can leave on foot from the dam and continue ...Read more -
Townsend, TennesseeWhiteoak Sinks
3.04.55 mi / 640 ft gainWhiteoak Sinks is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Townsend, Tennessee.Read more -
Sevierville, Tennessee
Drive the Foothills Parkway National Scenic Byway
4.331.55 mi / 3638 ft gainThe foothills parkway runs parallel to the Great Smoky Mountains. It is approximately 30-miles in total. There are a few different places to get on to the parkway. There is one entrance near Fontana, Walland, Wears Valley, and Cosby. However Cosby is a smaller section and does not link to the oth...Read more -
Clayton, Georgia
Hike the James E. Edmond trail to Lookoff Mountain Overlook
4.07.5 mi / 2378 ft gainBlack Rock Mountain State Park is Georgia's highest elevation State Park. It is adorned with several waterfalls, sweeping overlooks, blooming Rhododendron's, and plenty of miles of trail. The James E. Edmond trail is the longest and by far most challenging hike in the park. Its medium-long dis...Read more -
Sunset, South Carolina
Hike to Twin Falls, SC
5.01 mi / 0 ft gainOnce you get to the destination there should be a small parking area. At the end of this parking area you will see the start of the Twin Falls trail that will be mostly a flat walk. Follow this trail approximately 0.5 miles to the falls. You will know you are in the right place if the creek is r...Read more -
Clayton, Georgia
Hike to Martin Creek Falls
5.00.6 miThere are two different ways to get to this waterfall.The easiest way is through a trail in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area. To get to this trail head, drive east on Warwoman Road from Clayton, GA. At approximately 3.5 miles, take a left onto Finney Creek Road (FS 152). You will see a sign ...Read more -
Tamassee, South Carolina
Hike to Lee Falls
4.01.6 miThe Hike: Head out through the middle of the first of three fields, crossing creeks two times as you come to them. At the end of the last field, the trail enters the woods. Hike through the woods for 0.3 mile and take the left fork, crossing a creek , and head toward the larger branch of Tamassee...Read more -
Newport, Tennessee
Explore Halls Top Fire Tower
4.01 mi / 200 ft gainHalls Top Fire Tower is a special untouched spot in the Cherokee National Forest. The road that leads you into the CNF is known as Halls Top Road just a few miles off of Interstate I-40. This road will take you 4.4 miles to the next turn onto Stone Mountain Road this road is 2.1 miles to the gat...Read more -
Asheville, North Carolina
Explore Lake Powhatan
Lake Powhatan is located just minutes away from Asheville, NC and offers a number of fun activities for you, your friends, and your family. In the warm summer months, the Lake is a popular spot for swimming. The small stretch of beach along the lake is a nice place to lay out and soak in the sun....Read more -
Townsend, Tennessee
Backpack to Spence Field
1.013.15 mi / 3261 ft gainStart your hike at Anthony Creek Trailhead (elevation 1,800 ft), in the Cade’s Cove area. The trailhead is located at the far end of the day-use picnic area near Cade’s Cove campground. There are a few parking spots right at the trailhead, but note that the picnic area closes at dusk (a gate clos...Read more -
35.604955,-83.770373
Rocky Top
5.012.61 mi / 3786 ft gainRocky Top is known to be the spot that inspired the famous fight song of the University of Tennessee, which is also an official song for the state of Tennessee. The trailhead for this hike begins in the Cade’s Cove picnic area parking lot towards the back side. There are a few parking spots ri...Read more -
Asheville, North Carolina
Mountain Biking Bent Creek
4.0Bent Creek is my favorite Mountain Biking spot in the Southeast, and epitomizes the fun and beauty to be found biking in the North Carolina mountains. Riding is open year round, but spring and fall are ideal when temperatures are still cool and colors are exploding. You can easily spend hours ...Read more -
Del Rio, Tennessee
Max Patch to Hot Springs, N.C. via Appalachian Trail
3.414.06 mi / 2966 ft gainMake a weekend trip from Max Patch to Hot Springs N.C., and be sure to soak in the natural hot springs at the old inn after your hike! This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the French Broad River. You can break this up however you like, this i...Read more
