A Breath of Fresh Air
Cherokee County
Find Your Adventure
Are you a thrill seeker looking for your next adventure? If so, you have to experience the adrenaline rush you get from zip-lining through an Appalachian mountain canopy. Feeling a little more daring? Cherokee County, NC is ideally situated between two major whitewater rivers; the Ocoee (class III/IV) and the Nantahala (class I/II). No matter your whitewater skill level there is a river for you. Within the county are three milder rivers perfect for new boaters. Want to get your hands dirty? Visit our gem mine to catch gold fever as you pan through buckets of dirt from Dahlonega Gold Mine, or choose a semi-precious bag flicked with local gems. Mountain bikers can get their fix at the Ramsey Bluff trails in the Hanging Dog Recreation area. Take a guided fishing/hiking trip into the backwoods for the real outdoorsman adventure guaranteed to reel in the big ones! This unique wilderness experience is one that you absolutely can’t miss. Whether your ideal adventure is on land, water, or flying through the air, your next quest is waiting in Cherokee County, NC.
Find Your Relaxation
Are you in need of a relaxing escape? We all need a break from reality sometimes and there is no better way to unplug than in Cherokee County, NC. Cabin rentals are plentiful and so are the views! Unwind on a front porch rocker with a hot cup of coffee or a relaxing glass of wine and breathe in that fresh mountain air. Visit downtown Andrews or Murphy for unique shopping in picturesque towns amid mountain landscapes. Visit the art galleries to take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir. Sip mountain grown wine at one of our five wineries or taste the wide variety of beers brewed in the county at the brewery or on tap at local restaurants. Cool, babbling streams lead to peaceful rivers which cover the county. Take an easy float in a kayak, canoe, or tube on one of our three rivers; absorb the views and enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature. Rent a boat on Hiwassee Lake to explore the coves and fish to catch your own dinner. Trout fishing waters are abundant in Cherokee County, NC.
Find Your Trail
Cherokee County, NC has an abundance of outdoor recreation with 92,363 acres of the county belonging to the Nantahala National Forest. Whether you are looking for a challenging mountain hike or a leisurely stroll through the forest, there’s a trail for you! Backpackers can enjoy getting away from it all on a 25-mile rim trail along Tusquitee Bald which reaches elevations of 5,000 feet within the Fires Creek Recreation Area. Fires Creek also has several shorter trails available, a waterfall to view, as well as horse trails! Hanging Dog Recreation Area, just outside of downtown Murphy, offers access to Hiwassee Lake and includes moderate to difficult walking and mountain biking trails. Deeper into the county you will find Cherokee County, NC Apalachia Lake, a wilderness reserve, which boasts the county’s biggest waterfall, North Shoal Creek Falls. For a wonderful, easy stroll visit Historic Downtown Murphy’s River Walk. The walk is a 3-mile trail along the Valley and Hiwassee Rivers to the confluence of Hiwassee Lake. Follow the historic train tracks and loop back into downtown to explore local shops, antique markets, and more!
Find Your Festival
Have you ever experienced true Southern Appalachian culture? Make plans to visit the John C. Campbell Folk School’s Fall Festival in Brasstown, NC. The school is the oldest folk school in the nation, teaching classes on Appalachian traditions, crafts, music, and dances that have been passed down for generations. Watch pottery and other crafts being made the same way Appalachians have done it for hundreds of years! You’ll tap your foot along to bluegrass, folk gospel, and other great music playing on two stages. Throughout the year the Folk School hosts a variety of bands and holds several contra/square dances for all to enjoy! The first Friday of the month, May thru October, Downtown Murphy comes alive for Art Walks: local musicians on the square, art vendors displaying and selling their wares, and local shopping specials. Downtown Andrews has weekly music featured at the brewing company and winery. Murphy has several local restaurants who host musicians regularly. Come in June for the Art, River, & Music Festival hosted at Murphy’s L&N Depot for mountain crafts, and warm weather fun!
