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NATIONAL PARKS IN HAYWOOD COUNTY

Out here, nothing to prove

  1. Home
  2. National Parks
Map of Haywood County, North Carolina

Parks in every direction

Haywood County has the highest concentration of parks in Western North Carolina, so you’re never far from a trailhead. If escape is what you’re after, you’ve found it.

How to Get Here
Map of North Carolina
View of the Great Smoky Mountains in Haywood

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Set out into one of the most biodiverse national parks in the eastern U.S., known for hiking, diverse wildlife, and scenic drives where every corner opens up into new vistas.

Explore Smoky Mountains

More about Smoky Mountains National Park

See All Blogs
Easy Hiking Trails to Explore in the Smoky Mountains
Easy Hiking Trails to Explore in the Smoky MountainsRead More
The 10 Best Family Attractions in the Smoky Mountains NC
The 10 Best Family Attractions in the Smoky Mountains NCRead More
Discover the Seven Wonders of Winter Hiking in the NC Smoky Mountains
Discover the Seven Wonders of Winter Hiking in the NC Smoky MountainsRead More
Where to Watch the Monarch Migration in the Smoky Mountains
Where to Watch the Monarch Migration in the Smoky MountainsRead More
Group of friends taking a photo on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway

Follow America’s Favorite Drive through Haywood, where endless overlooks and sweeping views make the journey the destination. You’re welcome.

Explore Blue Ridge Parkway

More about the Blue Ridge Parkway

See All Blogs
The Best of the Blue Ridge Parkway is in North Carolina
The Best of the Blue Ridge Parkway is in North CarolinaRead More
Where to See Fall Color on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Where to See Fall Color on the Blue Ridge ParkwayRead More
The Blue Ridge Parkway: An intricate connection to Lake Junaluska
The Blue Ridge Parkway: An intricate connection to Lake JunaluskaRead More
Group of friends sitting on rocks beside a waterfall in Pisgah National Forest

Explore Pisgah National Forest

Step in to explore over 500,000 acres of dense forest, hidden waterfalls, and miles of trail, where it’s less about views and more about being in it.

Explore Pisgah National Forest
A wild animal in Cataloochee Valley

Find serenity in Cataloochee Valley

Wander into Cataloochee and find a quieter, more tucked-away landscape of open fields, historic sites, and elk moving through like they’ve always been here.

Explore Cataloochee Valley

More about Cataloochee Valley

See All Blogs
Day Hike to Little Cataloochee Church
Day Hike to Little Cataloochee ChurchRead More
Elk Watching 101
Elk Watching 101Read More
Rutting Season in Haywood, As Told by A Cataloochee Elk
Rutting Season in Haywood, As Told by A Cataloochee ElkRead More

Outdoor safety in Haywood

A beautiful sunny day can change quickly in the mountains. Bring layers of clothing on every adventure and be prepared for flash floods, wildfires, and wildlife sightings.

See All Safety Resources
Know Before You Go: Summer Hiking Tips
OutdoorsKnow Before You Go: Summer Hiking Tips
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Bear safety from National Park Service
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Elk safety from National Park Service
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Flooding in Haywood
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Wildfires in Haywood

Let nature bring you back

A couple on top of a mountain in Haywood
Hiking in Haywood County
Group of people eating on a patio in Haywood
When to Visit
Two people horseback riding in Haywood
Things to Do in Haywood County