• WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA DESTINATIONS AND DISTANCES

  • Asheville Regional Airport - 60 miles - 72 minutes
  • Harris Regional Hospital - 10 miles - 16 minutes
    68 Hospital Road, Sylva, NC 28779
  • Jackson County Chamber of Commerce - 9.8 miles - 16 minutes
    773 W. Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779
    www.mountainlovers.com
  • Western Carolina University - 4 miles - 6 minutes
    Fine & Performing Arts Center
    The Ramsey Center (NCAA sports)
    www.wcu.edu
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 34 miles - 53 minutes
    Oconaluftee Visitor Center, U.S. HWY 441 N., Cherokee, NC 28719
    (Located just 2 miles north of Cherokee, within the park)
    www.nps.gov/grsm
    www.visitsmokies.org


  • Cycling

  • Tour De Tuck - 5.9 miles - 15 minutes (Century Ride)
    Sylva, NC 28779 (800) 962-1911
    www.tourdetuck.com
  • Tsalai - Mountain Biking
    Directions: From Bryson City, NC, follow US 19/74 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway) to intersection with NC 28 north. Follow NC 28 north (a 4-lane highway) about 3 miles to the top of the hill and a sign for the Tsali Recreation Area; turn right. Follow the paved road to the campground and trailhead parking lot; park in the lot signed "Bikers Park and Pay Here."


  • Dining

  • Spring Street Cafe - 9.6 miles - 15 minutes (vegetarian, vegan)
    3 East Jackson Street, Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 586-1800
  • Annie's Naturally Bakery - 9.5 miles - 15 minutes (breakfast, lunch, catering)
    506 W Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 586-9096
    Hours: 7am - 5pm Tuesday-Saturday, Closed Sunday & Monday
    www.anniesnaturallybakery.com
  • Bubacz's Underground Cafe & Coffee - 9.5 miles - 15 minutes (breakfast, lunch, coffee)
    610 W. Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 587-6300
  • Five Fifty Three Restaurant - 9.5 miles - 15 minutes (casual fine dining, catering)
    553 W Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779
    Reservations suggested, (828) 631-3810, open 7 days, Sunday brunch
    www.restaurant553.com
  • Guadalupe Cafe - 9.5 miles - 15 minutes (tapas & wine)
    606 W Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 586-9877
    www.guadalupecafe.com
  • Lulu's on Main - 9.5 miles - 15 minutes (American gourmet diner)
    612 W Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 586-8989
    www.lulusonmain.com
  • O'Malley's Pub & Grill - 9 miles - 13 minutes
    83 Asheville Hwy, Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 631-0554
    Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-2am, Sunday Noon-Midnight
  • Mad Batter Bakeshop & Cafe - 4 miles - 6 minutes
    568 Centennial Drive, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828) 293-3096
    Call for hours, usually Monday - Thursday only
  • Cullowhee Cafe - 6.7 miles - 10 minutes (diner)
    2968 Old Cullowhee Road, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828) 293-3334
    Hours: Monday - Friday 7am - 8pm, Closed Saturday - Sunday


  • Equestrian

  • Paso Fino Elegante - 9.9 miles - 25 minutes (Horse back riding for the beginner and amateur riders
    4334 Caney Fork Road, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828) 293-3929
    www.eleganteinternational.com
  • Arrowmont Stables - 11.3 miles - 30 minutes
    276 Arrowmont Stables, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (800) 682-1092
    www.arrowmont.com


  • Outdoor Activities

  • Blackrock Outdoor Company - 9.5 miles - 15 minutes (outdoor apparel)
    570 W Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 631-4453)
  • Wildwater Rafting and Jeep Tours - 37 miles - 50 minutes (The Nantahala River)
    10345 U.S. HWY 19, Bryson City, NC 28713
    www.wildwaterrafting.com
  • Fairfield Sapphire Valley Resort - 21 miles - 30 minutes (skiing, snowboarding, snow-tubing)
    70 Sapphire Valley Rd, Sapphire, NC 28774
    Mid December - February weather permitting (828) 743-7663 or (828) 743-1162


  • Entertainment

  • Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel - 24.6 miles - 37 minutes
    (limited gambling, live entertainment)
    777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719
    www.harrahs.com
  • Cherokee Bear Zoo & Exotic Animals - 28 miles - 44 minutes
    1204 Tsalagi Road (U.S. 19 N), Cherokee, NC 28719
    www.cherokeesmokies.com
  • Cherokee Fun Park - 27.7 miles - 42 minutes
    1897 Tsali Blvd. (U.S. 441 N), Cherokee, NC 28719
    www.cherokeesmokies.com
  • Cherokee Helicopters - 24.6 miles - 37 minutes
    264 Casino Trail, Cherokee, NC 28719
    www.cherokeesmokies.com
  • Ghost Town in the Sky - 37 miles - 52 minutes
    16 Fie Top Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
    www.ghosttowninthesky.com
  • Great Smoky Mountain Railroad - 11 miles - 19 minutes
    119 Front Street, Dillsboro, NC 28725
  • Fun Factory in the Smokies - 29 miles - 48 minutes
    1024 Georgia Road, Franklin, NC 28734
    Hours: Monday - Thursday 10am - 9pm, Friday - Saturday 10am - midnight
    www.thefactory.bz
  • Santa's Land Family Theme Park & Zoo - 24 miles - 37 minutes
    571 Wolf Town Road, Cherokee, NC 28719
    www.santaslandnc.com
  • Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine - 25 miles - 40 minutes
    U.S. HWY 441 N, Downtown Cherokee, NC 28719
    www.smgrm.com


  • Museums

  • Museum of the Cherokee Indian - 27 miles - 44 minutes
    589 Tsali Blvd., Cherokee, NC 28719
    www.cherokeemuseum.org
  • Wheels through Time Motorcycle Museum - 35 miles - 52 minutes
    62 Vintage Lane (U.S. HWY 19), Maggie Valley, NC 28751
    www.wheelsthroughtime.com


  • Miscellaneous

  • City Lights Bookstore - 9.6 miles - 15 minutes (with a focus on Appalachian literature)
    3 East Jackson Street, Sylva, NC 28779
    Hours: 9am - 9pm Monday-Saturday
    www.citylights.booksense.com
  • Your Herbalist - 9.7 miles - 15 minutes (products, classes, lectures)
    60 West Sylva Shopping Area, Sylva, NC 28779
    Hours: 10am - 6pm Monday-Friday, 10am - 3pm Saturday


  • Golfing

  • High Hampton Inn - 19 miles - 29 minutes (Golf, Tennis, Spa)
    1525 Highway 107 South in Cashiers, NC 28717
    www.highhamptoninn.com (828) 743-2450
  • Maggie Valley Club - 32 miles - 44 minutes (Golf, April-Oct. $60 for 9 holes, $80 for 18 holes)
    1819 Country Club Drive, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
    www.maggievalleyclub.com (866) 659-4725
  • Mill Creek Country Club - 33 miles - 57 minutes (Golf, April-Nov. $35 for 9 holes, $55 for 18)
    341 Country Club Dr, Franklin, NC 28734
    www.mcgolfresort.com (800) 533-3916
  • Sapphire Mountain Golf Club - 26 miles - 40 minutes (Golf)
    50 Slicers Avenue, Sapphire, NC 28774
    (828) 743-1174
  • Highlands Cove - 33 miles - 49 minutes (Golf, tennis)
    705 Highlands Cove Drive, Highlands, NC 28741
    www.highlandscove.com call 828-526-8044 for tee times
  • Red Bird Golf Links - 23 miles - 34 minutes (Golf, 9-hole course, $30)
    67 Cherokee Trails, Sapphire, NC 28774
    (828) 743-1991
  • Catamount Links Disc Golf Course - 4 miles - 6 minutes (Disc Golf, 10-holes, free)
    Western North Carolina campus, 1st tee is behind Reid Gymnasium
    Free for students and the public. Note: 1st hole is closed during band practice.
    (828) 227-3555 or (828) 227-3553


  • Fishing

  • Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing - 28 miles - 44 minutes (Full service fly shop and outfitters. Guided fly fishing trips in the mountains of WNC)
    626 Tsali Manor Dr, Cherokee, Swain, North Carolina 28719
    Phone: 828-497-1555 - Website: www.smokymountainflyfishing.net
  • Endless River Adventures - 40 miles - 54 minutes
    Phone: 828-488-6199
    Address: 14157 Hwy 19W Bryson City, NC, 28713
    Make the most of your NC vacation! Join us for whitewater rafting, kayak instruction, lake touring and fly fishing.
    Please visit our website www.endlessriveradventures.com
  • Smoky Mountains On the Fly - 10 miles - 21 minutes
    Phone: 828-586-4787
    Website: www.smokyonthefly.com
    Address: 100 Roundtop Trail, Sylva, NC, 28779
    Provides a licensed and professional fly fishing service for trout and small mouth bass fishing in GSMNP and WNC.
  • Tumbling Waters Campground & Trout Pond - 41 miles - 58 minutes
    1612 Panther Creek Road, Almond, NC, 28702
    Phone: 828-479-3814
    www.tumblingwaters.com
    Minutes from Fontana Lake, the Nantahala River and Tsali Recreational Park. We offer a quiet & restful retreat for those who want some much needed R&R
  • Fontana Lake Charter Boat Service
    Phone: 828-736-4118
    Website: www.fontanalakecharters.com


  • Fishing Information

  • Licensing
    Persons possessing a valid Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license may fish all open park waters. A license is required of all persons age 16 or older. Persons under age 16 are entitled to the daily adult bag and possession limit, and are subject to all regulations. Senior citizen licensing is available. The Park does not sell fishing licenses. Licenses are obtainable in surrounding communities, outside the park.
  • Season
    Fishing is permitted year-around in open waters.
    Fishing is allowed from one half hour before official sunrise to one half hour after official sunset
  • Daily Posession Limits
    The possession of brook trout is prohibited. Five (5) rainbow or brown trout, small mouth bass, or a combination of these, each day or in possession, regardless of whether they are fresh, stored in an ice chest, or otherwise preserved. The combined total must not exceed five fish.
    -Twenty (20) rockbass (redeye) may be kept in addition to the above limit.
    -A person must stop fishing immediately after obtaining the limit.
  • Daily Possession Limits
    Rainbow and Brown Trout: 7-inch minimum.
    Small mouth Bass: 7-inch minimum.
    Rock bass (Redeye): No minimum.
    All trout or small mouth bass caught less than the legal length shall be immediately returned to the water from which it was taken. Any brook trout must be returned immediately to the water, unharmed.
  • Lures, Bait, & Equipment
    Hand-held rods only.
    Artificial flies and lures. One hook only.
    Fishermen may not possess fish bait or liquid scent.
    The use or possession of double, treble or gang hooks is prohibited.
    Fishing tackle and equipment including creels and fish in possession are subject to inspection.