Creekside at Wild Rock — Attractions, local Restaurants & Breweries

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Smoky Mourtan National Park is America’s most visited national park and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Encompassing over 522,000 acres of protected Southern Appalachian wilderness, the park is world-renowned for its vast biodiversity, ancient ridges, sweeping mist-covered views, and preserved mountain culture. More Info

Cataloochee Valley – Elk, Bear, Bird, Wildlife Viewing (Waynesville)

A very scenic, but slow 15 mile drive up Cove Creek Road to the Smoky Mountains and another 5 miles or so to get to the valley. This is where the locals and tourists go to see the elk, as well as bear and other wildlife sightings. The best chance to see elk is at dusk. Once you enter the park, there are lots of stops along the way where you can pull over or get out and walk around (FYI, we took this picture, he was right off the road). More Info

Lake Junaluska (Waynesville)

This is a favorite hiking spot for us! Easy access, flat, paved trail, and beautiful sites as you make your way around the 2.3 mile loop (or the longer 3.8 mile option) around the lake. On your hike, you’ll see a cute chapel, retreat center and a few cafes along the way. During the summer there are opportunities for fishing, renting a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard, playing mini-golf, shuffleboard, cornhole, tennis, pickleball or taking a lake cruise. More Info

Waterrock Knob Trail (Sylva)

A hidden Gem on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is plenty of parking, a visitors center and some hiking options, including an old plane crash site that explorers like to check out. The 1 mile hike to the top is moderate to difficult as it’s a rocky and steep hike. However, once you make it to the top, the views are breathtaking! More Info

Blue Ridge Parkway (Maggie Valley, Asheville, Blowing Rock, Boone, Bryson City)

A short drive from the property, the parkway is known as “America’s Favorite Drive”. There are many hiking trails, mountain biking trails, and things to see off of the trail. The Parkway covers a wide range of habitats along the Appalachian Mountains, some of which are exceptionally rare. Visitors encounter unsurpassed diversity of climate, vegetation, wildlife and geological features. Closest entry point is just past Maggie Valley off of Highway 19. More Info

Purchase Knob / Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center (Waynesville)

Located at 4,900 feet in Haywood County on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center is part of a network of what will be 32 research learning centers supporting research and education about science in our national parks. A 2-3 mile hike with a gradual incline, the view is spectacular when you get to the top. More Info

Art Loeb/Cold Mountain Trailhead (Canton)

This route starts from Camp Daniel Boone on Little East Fork Road and offers beautiful views from a challenging hike. This hike should only be attempted by those prepared for an intense, physically demanding trail. This out-and-back route is on the much longer Art Loeb Trail. Many hikers choose to make this into a point-to-point backpacking route. More Info

Oconaluftee Entrance to the Smoky Mountains (Cherokee)

Smoky Mountains National Park’s first new visitor service facility to be constructed since the early 1960s. Situated outside the historic Mountain Farm Museum, the visitor center serves as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with all its natural beauty, outdoor attractions, and amenities. There is an easy, paved hiking trail that runs along the river. More Info

Chimney Rock State Park (Rutherford County)

Located in Rutherford County 25 miles southeast of Asheville, Chimney Rock State Park offers some of North Carolina’s most dramatic mountain scenery, overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Visit the Chimney Rock attraction, hike to Hickory Nut Falls and take an elevator or climb to the top of the park’s namesake, a 315-foot freestanding rock spire. It also has many facilities, including riverside areas, interpretive exhibits, and gift shops. The free Rumbling Bald access provides a more rugged backcountry experience. More Info

Cataloochee Ski Area (Maggie Valley)

With 100% snowmaking on 18 slopes and trails including the Cat Cage Terrain Park, 3 aerial lifts and 2 moving carpet lifts, and over 4,000 sets of snowsports equipment, the Cataloochee experience offers something for everyone. Find a vertical drop of 740 feet and 5 lifts. If you are looking for any extra thrill, the Cat Cage Terrain Park has rails, boxes, jibs and jumps. More Info

Devil’s Courthouse (30 Miles East of Maggie Valley)

Devil’s Courthouse, on the Blue Ridge Parkway, presides over some of the most spectacular views in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From the top of Devil’s Courthouse at 5,720 feet, visitors can see into South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee in a 360-degree panorama. More Info

Clingmans Dome (Bryson City)

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in the Smokies and the third highest east of the Mississippi. From the parking lot, seven miles west of Newfound Gap, walk the steep half-mile path to the 54-foot observation tower for a 360-degree view of the Park. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular. The Appalachian Trail crosses Clingmans Dome, marking the highest point along its 2,144-mile journey. As a heads up, the road to Clingmans Dome is normally closed from December 1 until April 1. More Info

Ten Acre Garden (Canton)

Welcome to the Ten Acre Garden a gathering spot for U-pick berries, veggies, & flowers, CSA, hay wagon rides, music and pizza, bees and veggies, all nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains. More Info

Cross River’s Fly Fishing

Cross Rivers is constantly striving to be the premier guide service in North Carolina. Whether you’re looking to learn more about fly fishing, enjoy a peaceful day on the river, or celebrate a special occasion on the water, you’ve come to the right place. More Info

Our favorite Waterfalls

Western North Carolina is known for its breathtaking mountain views and many waterfalls.

• Bryson City: Tom Branch, Indian Creek Falls
• Maggie Valley: Soco Falls (pictured)
• Cherokee: Mingo Falls
• Brevard: Looking Glass, Upper Whitewater Falls, and approximately 50 falls in Brevard)

Longer Drives: Moore Cove Falls, Silver Run Falls, Dupont State Forest

The Town of Cherokee

Includes numerous tourist activities, including the Museum of the Cherokee, Mountain Biking, Fishing, “Unto these Hills” outdoor drama (pictured), Sequoyah National Golf course, and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. More Info

Big Creek Trail, NC INear Fines Creek, NC and Newport TN)

Big Creek Trail, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a 5.5 mile round trip hike through a heavily wooded forest, alongside one of the largest and fastest flowing creeks in the park, and 2 waterfalls (one of which includes a very popular swimming hole). More Info

Cades Cove (Townsend, TN which is about 27 miles southwest of Gatlinburg, TN)

Cades Cove is a lush, mountain-surrounded valley in the Tennessee section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Famous for its 11-mile, one-way scenic loop, it offers abundant wildlife viewing (including black bears and white-tailed deer), well-preserved 19th-century homesteads, and access to hiking trails like Abrams Falls. More Info

Swamp Rabbit Trail (Travels Rest & Greenville)

The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 28+ mile multi-use greenway network in Upstate South Carolina. The main 17.7-mile “Green Line” connects downtown Greenville to Travelers Rest, following the scenic Reedy River and an old railroad corridor. It is mostly flat, paved, and fully separated from traffic, making it perfect for all skill levels. More Info

Virginia Creeper Trail (Arbingdon, Damascus, and Whitetop, VA)

If you enjoy beautiful, peaceful, serene views while biking, this one is a gem! A 2.5 hour drive that will require a full day, but the experience is spectacular! Check out their website for more information. More Info

Nantahala River Rafting (Bryson City)

The classic Nantahala experience. Paddle eight miles of Class II and III rapids with a professional guide leading your group through fun, splashy white water and calm scenic stretches. Perfect for families, first-time rafters, and groups. More Info

Biltmore Estate (Asheville)

America’s largest home, this French Renaissance castle in the heart of Asheville is an architectural jewel. The home features 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces. In addition to the house, the 8,000-acre estate is home to forested trails and beautiful gardens, which include one of the country’s most complete collections of azaleas. Biltmore is also where you’ll find the nation’s most visited winery. As you explore the estate, enjoy shopping and dining options. More Info

Wheels Through Time Museum

Wheels Through Time Museum is home to the world’s premier collection of rare American motorcycles, memorabilia, and a distinct array of unique “one-off” American automobiles. Located just 5 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Maggie Valley, North Carolina our museum houses a collection of over 300 rare machines. More info

Smoky Mountain Event Center (Waynesville)

This non-profit, multi-use, year-round facility located in Waynesville provides a setting for area merchants, farmers, and the community to buy and sell goods locally. An all-volunteer group of dedicated people works together to make Fairgrounds activities and events a success. The Smoky Mountain Event Center comprises 2 large exhibit halls, a covered regulation size arena, a livestock barn, thirty box stalls, and beautiful grounds with Smoky Mountain views. Various events are held throughout the year. More Info

Great Smoky Mountain Railroad (Bryson City)

The historic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot sits in the heart of Bryson City, North Carolina – a favorite regional attraction for family fun. A round-trip on the train is an ideal way to see extraordinary places that you can’t get to by car. Get a front-row view of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Nantahala National Forest, Fontana Lake, extraordinary trestles, pristine mountain rivers, historic structures, and stunning foliage. More Info

Santa’s Land (Cherokee)

If amusement parks are your thing, Santa’s Land is only a short drive away. Seasonal fun park with rides, a gift shop & a zoo, plus paddle boating on a lake. Family friendly activity. More Info

Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee)

Luxury Hotel, Casino and Spa in Cherokee, North Carolina. Schedule Your Stay. Casino and Resort Nestled in the Shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains. Adventure Awaits. More Info