[Updated May 9, 2023] Cherokee, North Carolina is not like any other town we’ve ever visited during our extensive explorations of the Blue Ridge Mountains. That’s partly because most of the area lies within the Qualla Boundary, which is held as a land trust by the US Bureau of Indian Affairs for the federally recognized Eastern … Read more
[Updated April 24, 2023] In a region wrought with spectacular waterfalls, no place has nearly as many as Transylvania County, North Carolina. Encompassing 381 square miles, the area is home to some 250 waterfalls! The county seat of Transylvania is the tiny mountain town of Brevard NC, which has a population of less than 10,000 … Read more
With the endless array of things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it can be difficult to figure out which activities and attractions to prioritize. If you’re even remotely interested in the history of the Appalachian range, don’t miss a chance at visiting Mingus Mill in NC. Located just 4 miles north of Cherokee, … Read more
[Updated February 13, 2023] Bryson City is surrounded by Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the north, Fontana Lake to the west, Cherokee NC to the east, and the Nantahala National Forest to the south. So even a shortlist of the best things to do in Bryson City NC could include dozens of exciting activities … Read more
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular of all the national parks in the United States. And if you’re looking for unspoiled natural beauty, it’s arguably the best place to visit in the Smoky Mountains. But when it comes to the holiday season, the best things to do in the Smoky Mountains in … Read more
A guide to the 15 Best Great Smoky Mountains Campgrounds to Visit, with camping options both inside and just outside the national park.
Straddling the boundary of North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses over 500,000 acres and is the most visited of all the U.S. National Parks. Part of it is located in the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee people, who occupied the territory prior to the 1830s Indian Removal Act and … Read more
[Updated August 20, 2022] Spend any time in the Blue Ridge Mountains you’ll quickly realize that Westen North Carolina waterfalls are a big thing here. Waterfalls in NC can be as literally big– as in over 800 feet high– as they are numerous. You’ll find approximately 250 waterfalls just in the 381-square-mile Transylvania County, located … Read more
Asheville is beloved for its progressive vibe, anchored in a love of culture and arts, an array of lip-smacking restaurants, and surrounded by some of the most beautiful nature in the country. Camping near Asheville, North Carolina is as big of a draw as the city itself. Within an hour’s drive of downtown Asheville, it’s … Read more
Located in the mountain town of Dahlonega, the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site chronicles the discovery of gold in Georgia and the pivotal role it played in the history of Georgia. Gold was first discovered in Lumpkin County in 1828, and it triggered the first major gold rush in the country by 1829. (There … Read more