Hunting & Fishing

A regulations digest of hunting and fishing rules is available at the NC Wildlife Resources Commission web site.

www.ncwildlife.org

Smoky Mountain National Park

The Smoky National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. The Great Smoky Mountains offers visitors 6 peaks at altitudes greater than 6,000. Striking forests, deep valleys and majestic canyons make the Smokey Mountain National Park a striking American legacy. With more than 600 miles of nationally protected trails and countless outdoor activities, the Smoky National Park is an adventure not to be missed.

www.nps.gov/grsm/

Whitewater Adventures

Western North Carolina offers some of the best whitewater rafting rivers in the Eastern United States. The Nantahala River offers Class I, II, and III rapids that are ideal for beginners and experts alike. Also, in the area are more challenging rapids located on the Ocoee.

www.grahamcountytravel.com/activities_whitewater.html

Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail stretches from Maine to Georgia and is approximately 2,168 miles in length. Graham County holds almost 29 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Altitudes of the Graham County Section vary greatly making it an ideal adventure for beginners and experts.

Slickrock Creek Wilderness Area

The Slickrock basin wilderness when combined with the Joyce Kilmer basin wilderness totals an area of 17,013 acres. The terrain in this area ranges greatly. Dense forests, waterfalls, deep clear water pools and extensive wildlife characterize some of the geographic region.

Nantahala National Forest

The Nantahala National established in 1920 makes up sixty-eight percent of Graham County. The Nantahal National Forest is home to abundant forests filled with diverse vegetation, endangered wildlife, vast valleys and deep canyons. There is wide range of activities to enjoy in the Nantahala including hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, and much more.

www.ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Nantahala/index.html

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Graham County is host to one of the most awe-inspiring forests in America, the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Joyce Kilmer is a virgin forest, no plants living or dead may be cut or removed. Because of this protection, Joyce Kilmer is home to one of the largest areas for virgin Poplar trees. These 3,800 acres of land are virtually untouched by man and remain a record of pristine American beauty. This beautiful forest offers multiple outdoor recreational opportunities than are un-matched in the United States.

Fontana Lake & Dam

Fontana Lake is another record of preserved American beauty. The 29 mile lake is host to more than 240 miles of untouched shorelines where development has been kept in check by federal protection. The breathtaking Fontana dam stands 480 feet tall. Fontana is a boater’s and fisher’s paradise.

www.greatsmokies.com/fontana.asp

Lake Santeetlah

Lake Santeetlah consists of seventy-six miles of natural forest and white sand beach shorelines. Eighty percent of these majestic shores are public land with United States Forest Services management. The lake is host to a wide variety of fish and has claimed many record setting caught species.

Chatuge State Park

www.stateparks.com/chatuge.html

Black Rock Mountain State Park

Black Rock Mountain State Park, located 30 miles from Stecoah Valley is host to some of the most breathtaking geography in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Spectacular views of the Southern Appalachians, several hiking, cascading streams, small waterfalls and lush forests make this park one for the memory book.

www.gastateparks.org/info/blackrock/

Scaly Mountain

The Scaly Mountain Outdoor Sports Park is an attraction the whole family can enjoy. Offering snow tubing, this attraction has all the amenities of a fun filled adventure thousands have enjoyed.

www.scalymountain.com/

Cherohala Skyway

The Cherohala Skyway comprises more than 50 miles of scenic roadway connecting Robbinsville and the Tellico Plains. The skyway winds through 5,000 foot high mountains for 15 miles and descends 21 miles into the deeply forested backcountry of Tennessee. The views are limitless and breathtaking as drivers ascend and descend through the middle of mountains and national parks, a site not to be missed.

www.cherohala.com/

Tail of the Dragon

This curving 11 mile stretch of roadway is voted as the number one motorcycle road in America. With over 300 curves, this roadway proves to be a fun challenge with scenic opportunities.

www.tailofthedragon.com/

The Blue Ridge Parkway

This amazing stretch of highway leads 575 miles from the mountaintops of Cherokee, North Carolina to Front Royal, Virginia. This winding scenic roadway is one of the Eastern United States biggest attractions.

www.nps.gov/blri/