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Attractions:
| Otto is the
gateway to the Smoky Mountains.
The area has many rich and wonderful waterfalls and natural attractions.
Vast areas of the Great Smoky Mountains are uninhabited, but
there are hundreds of miles of trails to explore by foot, by
mountain bike, or by horseback.
This is the land of trails:
trails to waterfalls, trails in the national park and
national
forest, and even the Appalachian Trail, which winds through
Western North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park on its way to Maine.
THE
FACTS: The
Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains 700 miles
of rivers and streams, 800 miles of trails, 20,000
acres of virgin forest and the largest concentration
of black bears in the Eastern United States.
There are over 140 species of trees, 1,600 types of
wildflowers, 800 species of moths and butterflies, 50
kinds of fish, and 60 species of mammals. |
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Below is a
sampling of local attractions. There are many, many more, which we
will be adding, so check back soon.
| Waterfalls
| Bridal
Veils Falls:
2.5 miles east of
Highlands on US 64. Visible from the Highway.
Height: 120. |
| Cullasaja
Falls:
Visible from US 64 in
Cullasaja Gorge, 11 miles east from Franklin, 9 miles
west from Highlands. Height: 250 Ft. |
| Dry
Falls:
Located on US 64, 3.5
miles west of Highlands, 16.5 miles east of Franklin.
Paved walkway underneath.
75 foot falls. |
| Glen
Falls:
From Highlands travel
3 miles south of NC 106. Turn left on US Forest
Service Road with "Glen Falls" marker. One
mile trails to falls is steep and rough. Three large
falls, each dropping approximately 60 ft. |
Horsepasture
Falls:
From Cashiers take US 64 10 miles east
to "Whitewater Road." Follow road south to
Horsepasture River. Drift Falls are nearby. |
Mingo
Falls
A 200 foot scenic waterfall on the
Cherokee Indian Reservation. Follow Big Cove Road to
Mingo Falls Campground. |
Rainbow
Falls:
Located on the same road as Horsepasture falls.
Height: 200 Feet |
| Whitewater
Falls:
At 411 feet, the
highest falls in Eastern US. From Cashiers take US 64
east, 10 miles to Whitewater Road. Falls are 10 miles
south on Whitewater Road, near the NC/SC state line.
You can also access Drift, Horsepasture and Rainbow
Falls from Whitewater Road. |
| Cherokee:
Don't Miss:
Unto these hills:
Live re-enactment of the story behind
the Cherokee "Trail of Tears."
America's most popular outdoor drama. The drama is
presented under the starts on three stages in the
beautiful Mountainside Theatre. Since opening on July
1, 1950 Unto These Hills has been seen by over 5
million people. 52nd Season.
Nightly Except
Sunday Mid. June thru late August. At the Mountainside
Theatre, Cherokee, North Carolina
828-497-2111
Museum of the Cherokee Indian
828-497-3481
Oconaluftee Indian Village
828-497-2111
Harrah's Cherokee
Casino
Western North Carolina's
biggest and newest attraction! Three football
fields of 24-hour casino fun, featuring 2,500 video
gaming machines, three restaurants, live
entertainment, a gift shop, and more.
1-800-Harrahs
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Golf
is just one of our big attractions!
| Discover
the beauty and excitement of a true mountain
golf experience. 18 hole championship courses. |
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| Macon
County Historical Museum:
A Museum of local
history. Located in the J.R. Pendergrass Store
building. Circa 1904. Listed on the National Register
of Historic Places.
Address: 36 West Main Street
Franklin, NC 28734
Hours Mon. -Fri 10am - 4pm
Admission: Free |
Scottish
Tartan Museum:
A stroll through the history and culture of Scotland.
The 2,200 sq. foot museum contains the official
registry of publicly known tartans and is the only American
extension of the Scottish Tartans Society in
Edinburgh, Scotland. Visitors are invited to view
their family tartan on the computer and trace their
Scottish heritage in the tartan research library.
Address: 95 East Main
Street
Franklin, NC 28734
Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10am-5pm
Sunday: 1pm - 5 Admission: $1.00 for
adults, 10 and under free. |
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| Hiking
Trails Suggested by the National Forest Service:
Appalachian
Trail to
Charlie's Bunion:
Trailhead: Newfound Gap Parking Area.
The 4-mile stretch offers spectacular views in the
Great Smokies. From the Park's south entrance, travel
US 441 N 19 miles to the Newfound Gap parking area.
Follow the Appalachian Trail eastward from Newfound
Gap.
Appalachian
Trail to Wesser Bald:
Trailhead: Wesser Gap. This scenic
portion of the Appalachian Trail is perfect for day
hikes. From Franklin, take NC 28 N 10 miles, turning
left on SR 1365. Travel 7 miles to Wesser Gap parking
area. Once on the trail, follow the white Appalachian
Trail blazes 2 miles to platform on Wesser Bald. The
views are incredible.
Big Indian
Horse Trail
Trailhead: Big Indian
Creek. The Standing Indian Recreation area west of
Franklin offers excellent hiking trails and lies close
to the Appalachian Trail. The Big Indian Trail is
designated for both horseback riding and hiking, and
there is a horse camp nearby at Hurricane Creek. From
Franklin, take US 64 W 10 miles; turn left on Wallace
Gap Road (Old Highway 64). Drive 2 miles to USFS Road
67 and turn right. Big Indian Creek is 4.5 miles ahead
on USFS 67, past the Standing Indian camping area.
Jackrabbit
Mountain Trail:
Trailhead: Jackrabbit
Recreation Area Trail offers an excellent view of
beautiful Lake Chatuge and provides lake fishing
access. From Hayesville, take US 64 E. 6.2 miles,
turning right (south) on NC 175 for 2.5 miles. Turn
right on NC 1155 for .25 miles at Jackrabbit
Recreation area sign.
Pickens
Nose Trail (*Otto)
Trailhead: Ball Creek
Road (USFS Road 83) offers a spectacular view to the south
from a sheer rock face. From Franklin, take US
441 S approximately 7.5 miles, turning right on
Coweeta Road (look for USFS signs to Coweeta
Hydrologic Laboratory). Travel 3 miles on Coweeta Lab,
until pavement ends. Bear left on Ball Creek Road.
USFS Road 83. Travel 4 miles to parking area; the
trail lies on the left. Drive cautiously on the
one-lane gravel road.
Whiteside
Mountain Trail:
Trailhead: Whiteside
Mountain Parking area. The loop trail on Whiteside
Mountain features a view of the highest vertical drop
in the Eastern US at 750 feet. The mountain's sheer
rock faces are popular for rock climbing and
repelling. From Highlands, take Highway 64 E. 5.3
miles and turn right on Whiteside Mountain Road. Drive
1 mile to parking are on left.
Yellow Mountain Trail:
Trailhead: Buck Creek
Road (SR 1538) traverses three of Highlands' most
scenic mountains. Beautiful views and a diversity of
plant life. From Highlands, take Highway 64 E. 2.5
miles. Turn left onto Buck Creek Road (at Shortoff
Church sign), drive 2 miles to trailhead on right at
Cole Mountain Gap. Trail ends at Yellow Mountain Fire
Tower. |
| The
RailRoad Experience:
One of the most
interesting ways to experience outdoors in the Great
Smokies! Over the sprawling lake, past rushing rivers,
through a deep mountain gorge and into dark mountain
tunnels.
Choose from a morning or afternoon round-trip.
31/2 to 7 hours.
Address: Dillsboro,
NC
Phone: 828-586-8811 |
Coming
Soon:
Info on skiing, whitewater rafting, trout fishing and
more........ |
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