Visit Haywood
  • Things to Do
  • Eat & Drink
  • Places to Stay
  • Events
  • National Parks
  • Mountain Towns
  • Plan Your Trip
  • Blog
  • Local Partners
Visit Haywood
  • Blog
Visit Haywood
placeholder

Welcome Center

91 North Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
(828) 944-0761
Monday – Saturday, 9AM – 5PM
  • Things to Do
    • Attractions
    • Outdoors
    • Arts & Culture
    • Shopping
    • Farm & Food Experiences
    • Family Fun
    • Online Store
    • Blog
    Things to Do
    • Attractions
    • Outdoors
    • Arts & Culture
    • Shopping
    • Farm & Food Experiences
    • Family Fun
    • Online Store
    • Blog
  • Eat & Drink
    • Restaurants
    • Beer, Wine & Spirits
    • Farm to Table
    • Cafes & Bakeries
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    Eat & Drink
    • Restaurants
    • Beer, Wine & Spirits
    • Farm to Table
    • Cafes & Bakeries
    • Breakfast & Brunch
  • Places to Stay
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins, Cottages & Vacation Rentals
    • Resorts
    • Hotels & Motels
    • RV Parks & Campgrounds
    Places to Stay
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins, Cottages & Vacation Rentals
    • Resorts
    • Hotels & Motels
    • RV Parks & Campgrounds
  • Events
    • Ice Festival
    • Fat Burger Month
    • Labor Day Festival
    • Apple Festival
    • Christmas
    • Submit an Event
    Events
    • Ice Festival
    • Fat Burger Month
    • Labor Day Festival
    • Apple Festival
    • Christmas
    • Submit an Event
  • National Parks
    • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    • Blue Ridge Parkway
    • Pisgah National Forest
    • Cataloochee Valley
    National Parks
    • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    • Blue Ridge Parkway
    • Pisgah National Forest
    • Cataloochee Valley
  • Mountain Towns
    • Canton
    • Clyde
    • Lake Junaluska
    • Maggie Valley
    • Waynesville
    Mountain Towns
    • Canton
    • Clyde
    • Lake Junaluska
    • Maggie Valley
    • Waynesville
  • Plan Your Trip
    • Welcome Center
    • Visitors Guide
    • Where is Haywood
    • When to Visit
    • Weddings
    • Pet Friendly
    • Day Trips
    • Itineraries
    • Elk Bucks
    Plan Your Trip
    • Welcome Center
    • Visitors Guide
    • Where is Haywood
    • When to Visit
    • Weddings
    • Pet Friendly
    • Day Trips
    • Itineraries
    • Elk Bucks
  • Local Partners
    • About HCTDA
    • Board Meetings
    • Partner Resources
    • Occupancy Tax
    • Grants
    • Committees
    • Destination Master Plan
    • Brand & Marketing
    • Partner Portal Login
    Local Partners
    • About HCTDA
    • Board Meetings
    • Partner Resources
    • Occupancy Tax
    • Grants
    • Committees
    • Destination Master Plan
    • Brand & Marketing
    • Partner Portal Login
mountain with river
  • Social link
  • Social link
  • Social link
  • TRAVEL ALERTS
  • MEDIA
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • PRIVACY

© 2026 Haywood County Tourism Development Authority

placeholder

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN HAYWOOD COUNTY

adventure at your own pace

From stargazing to swimming in waterfalls, to cruising on the famous Blueridge Parkway, return to sanity in the great outdoors of the North Carolina mountains. Welcome to Haywood County.

  1. Home
  2. Things To Do
  3. Outdoors
A tent setup on a ridge overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains in Haywood

Find fresh perspective in National Parks

Haywood County packs in so much to do. The Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Pisgah National Forest all converge here, bringing trails, waterfalls, and views that stop you in your tracks.

See All Parks
Great Smoky Mountains
placeholder
Blue Ridge Parkway
placeholder
placeholder alt text
Western North Carolina Mountains stamp

wildlife in haywood county

Our backyard buzzes with wildlife

Catch the best of elk viewing at dawn in Cataloochee Valley, then glimpse some black bears foraging in the high country. The wilderness is alive in western North Carolina.

See All Wildlife Viewing
Elk in a field of golden grass in Cataloochee Valley
View of lodging in Cataloochee Valley in Haywood
Cataloochee Valley
Vertical gallery

hiking in western nc

Explore easy day hikes

Stroll along a gentle path along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, perfect for families and leisurely mountain views.

See Easy Hike Guide
placeholder
Black Balsam Knob
Pisgah National ForestBlue Ridge Parkway
Pisgah National Forest
morgan_civ
placeholder
Graveyard Fields Hiking Trail & Waterfalls
Pisgah National Forest
Pisgah National Forest
capt.kim.60
placeholder
Dahlia Ridge Trail

One-of-a-kind outdoor moments

The great outdoors pull their own weight in Haywood. Rivers beg for a cast, backroads dare you to pedal harder, and forest trails wind their way to quiet clearings and surprise elk sightings.

placeholder
placeholder
Pisgah National Forest
Waynesville
Waynesville
Fishing

Known for its trout fishing, Haywood County is the best place to find wild trout, including Brook, Rainbow, and Brown trout.

Explore
placeholder
Chestnut Mountain Nature Park
Chestnut Mountain Nature Park
CantonOutdoors
Canton
Mountain biking & cycling

From technical single-track in Pisgah National Forest to scenic road rides along quiet mountain highways, Haywood County terrain makes you work for the downhills—quad burn included.

Explore
placeholder
placeholder
Blue Ridge Parkway
Scenic drives

The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through Haywood County with slow curves, big views, and zero deadlines. Perfect for both drivers and motorcycles.

Explore
placeholder
Waynesville Inn and Golf Club
Waynesville Inn and Golf Club
WaynesvilleResorts
Waynesville
Golfing

Try our mountain courses with elevation changes, tree-lined fairways, and views that compete for your attention.

Explore

Find adventure in every season of life

People skiing down at Cataloochee Ski Area

Skiing & snowboarding

Ski a few runs, fly down a tubing hill, or slow it down on snowshoes. Haywood County keeps winter family fun simple and outside.

See All Skiing
Cataloochee Ski Area
Cataloochee Ski Area
Maggie ValleyOutdoors
Maggie Valley
People jumping from a rock at Sunburst Swimming Hole in Haywood

Water activities

Tubing down cool streams, kayaking across glassy lakes, or wading into a waterfall swimming hole. Water activities here are the best kind of refreshing.

See All Water Activities
Sunburst Swimming Hole
Sunburst Swimming Hole
CantonAttractions
Canton

All outdoor activities in Haywood County

Featured trails
See Trail Guide
Graveyard Fields Hiking Trail & Waterfalls
2.3mi
Graveyard Fields Hiking Trail & Waterfalls
CantonModerateDogs on Leash
Canton
Black Balsam Knob
0.5mi
Black Balsam Knob
EasyDogs on LeashHiking
Easy
Waterrock Knob
1.2mi
Waterrock Knob
ModerateDogs on LeashHiking
Moderate
Chestnut Mountain Nature Park
Chestnut Mountain Nature Park
CantonOutdoorsAttractions
Canton
Graveyard Fields Hiking Trail & Waterfalls
2.3mi
Graveyard Fields Hiking Trail & Waterfalls
CantonModerateDogs on Leash
Canton
Black Balsam Knob
0.5mi
Black Balsam Knob
EasyDogs on LeashHiking
Easy
Waterrock Knob
1.2mi
Waterrock Knob
ModerateDogs on LeashHiking
Moderate
Chestnut Mountain Nature Park
Chestnut Mountain Nature Park
CantonOutdoorsAttractions
Canton
See Trail Guide
Father and child on a mountain in Haywood

LEAVE NO TRACE

Respect the mountains

We’re lucky to call the NC Smokies home. Like any good neighbor, we work hard to keep our mountains clean and cared for.

Learn More
Western North Carolina Mountains stamp

VISIT HAYWOOD BLOG

Local tips on outdoor activities

See All Blog Posts
Start the New Year Right with Outdoor Adventures & Wellness in the NC Mountains
OutdoorsStart the New Year Right with Outdoor Adventures & Wellness in the NC Mountains
Discover Haywood County’s Highest Peaks
OutdoorsDiscover Haywood County’s Highest Peaks
Guided Hikes in Haywood County, NC
OutdoorsGuided Hikes in Haywood County, NC
Attractions in Haywood
Attractions in Haywood
Arts & Culture in Haywood
Shopping in Haywood
Farm & Food Experiences in Haywood
Family Fun in Haywood

Slow down and explore Haywood

AttractionsArts & CultureShoppingFarm & Food ExperiencesFamily Fun

Reset with every breath of mountain air

placeholder
National Parks
placeholder
Mountain Towns
placeholder
Visitors Guide