Golf in the Mountains

Mill Creek Resort & Country Club
341 Country Club Drive
Franklin, NC 28734
Toll Free: (800) 533-3916
Office: (828) 524-6458
Website

Cherokee Hills Golf Course
3046 Harshaw Road
P.O. Box 28906
Murphy, NC 28906
Toll Free: (800) 334-3905
Office: (828) 837-5853
Fax: (828) 837-3152

Franklin Golf Course
255 First Fairway Drive
Franklin, NC 28734
Office: (828) 524-2288
Fax: (828) 524-9608
Website

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Fun on The Water

Winding their way through the beautiful countryside of Franklin are both the Cartoogechaye and Cullusaja Rivers. These two converge to create the Little Tennessee River. All are great sources for fishing, rafting, canoeing, swimming and camping at numerous campsites along their banks. You can grab a fishing pole and head out on your own, or you can use a local guide.

Great Smoky Mtn. Fish Camp & Safaris
136 Bennett Road
Franklin, NC 28734
Office: (828) 369-5295
Website

Lake Chatuge, located on the Hiwassee River, is approximately 45 minutes from Franklin. This lively lake is 13 miles long and reaches across into North Georgia. It is a great place to take your family to boat, water ski, swim, fish, and camp. Nantahala Lake is only 30 minutes from Franklin and has some great fishing. A fisherman's paradise this lake is the only one in North Carolina lake with fresh water salmon.

Looking for white water opportunities? Look no further than these mountains of North Carolina for some of the best in the country. With rafting companies located on the Nantahala River, only 30 minutes North of Franklin, NC, and the Chattooga River, only 40 minutes south from Franklin, NC, your adventures into the whitewater is only a short drive away.

Nantahala Outdoor Center
13077 Hwy. 19 West
Bryson City, NC 28713
Toll Free: (800) 232-7238
Office: (828) 488-2175
Website

What else is there to do you ask? To learn more about what Franklin, NC has to offer you visit The Franklin Chamber Website

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Campgrounds Around Franklin

Pack everything up and head out to the campgrounds with the family or by yourself. Great fishing, campfire cooking, and spooky stories await you. So start building those memories today.

Outside Inn Campground
7374 Lower Burnington Road
Franklin, NC 28734
Call: 828-349-1846

Rose Creek Campground
140 Terrace Ridge Drive
Franklin, NC 28734
Call: (828) 524-3225
Website

Standing Indian Campground
2037 Standing Indian Cmpgd Rd
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 369-0442
Website

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Waterfalls, Hiking Trails and so much more!
Macon County is blessed with waterfalls of all types. Some are tall like Cullusaja Falls on Hwy 64 between Franklin and Highlands. Some you can walk under like Dry Falls, also on Hwy 64 between Franklin and Highlands. Then there are those that are shorter and create what we call sliding rocks, where water falls over a short distance smoothing out the large rock it flows over allowing you to get at the top and slide down it into a pool below. Some waterfalls can only be reached by hiking back into the forests on the trails that criss-cross the mountains here in Macon County.

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Mountain Biking

The Franklin area has a lot to offer when it comes to mountain biking. From easy trails like the Little Tennessee River Greenway, to intermediate and difficult trails like these listed below:

Tsali
Nationally known trails. Mouse, Thompson, Right and Left loop, rated as one of the ten best trails in the nation by a nationally published cycling magazine. These trails are always enjoyable to ride. They offer beautiful views of Lake Fontana and the surrounding mountains. These trails are fast and not very technical. This is the ideal place to ride all day long if you have the time. Camping and showers are available. More info at the Tsali website at www.westernncattractions.com/tsali.htm or at Smoky Mountain Bicycles.

White Twister
This trail is located about 20 miles south of Franklin. It is a 4.6 mile loop that is fast and offers a fair amount of climbs. The trail runs along a river for a good part of the ride and ends a few hundred yards down a dirt road from a beautiful waterfall. This will be on of the most fun short loops you can ride, and it can be ridden forwards or backwards to change things up.

Coweeta Lab/Buckeye Branch
These are two great local trails for people that don’t mind a little climbing. Both begin with a 3 mile climb and level out to ride along a ridge. Buckeye Branch then provides an awesome downhill that makes the ride worth it. Coweeta lab rolls along a little farther on its course providing 2 or 3 downhill runs to get you going. Both routes offer spectacular views and a bond with the “natural beauty” of Franklin.

Hiking in These Beautiful Mountains

If you like hiking and being outdoors then you have come to the right place. From easy day trails to the more strenuous longer hikes, you will enjoy getting outside in Macon County. From trails that have been around for decades and longer like the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail, to some that are a little newer leading you from one side of Franklin to the other like the Greenway. The Franklin Chamber is a great place to find even more about trails and other recreational activities that get you ‘Back to Nature’.

Short Hiking Trails

Rufus Morgan Trail - (1 mile loop) - From Franklin, drive four miles West on US 64 and turn right at Wayah Bald direction sign. Take first left onto Wayah Road (state road 1310), go about 6.5 miles. Turn left onto gravel FS road 388 (often closed in Winter months), go about 2 miles to sign and parking area for Rufus Morgan Trail. Trail entrance is in parking area. This trail is blue blazed, and is easy to follow. About half-way, a side trail to right leads to the base of a nice waterfall. Spring wildflowers, and mature hardwood forest make this a pleasant short hike.

Shot Pouch Trail - (1.5 mi. total) Follow directions for Rufus Morgan Trail out of Franklin. Stay on state road 1310 past FS388, up winding road to top of hill (Wayah Gap). Turn right at sign for Wayah Bald onto gravel road FS 69. Go 0.9 miles to parking area and sign for Shot Pouch trail. This unblazed trail crosses the Appalachian Trail, goes across a grassed wildlife clearing, and continues as a logging road past small waterfall to end at nice view of Franklin valley and Cowee and Fishhawk mountains. Return via same trail.

Wayah Bald Lookout Tower (0.3 mi.) Follow above directions to Wayah Gap, turn right on gravel road (FS 69) to Wayah Bald. Go- about 4.5 mi. to parking area near end of road just around 180 degree turn. Walk back to the turn, take paved path past latrines up to stone tower (path is suitable for handicapped). This national historic landmark offers panoramic views of many mountain ranges and two valleys. From the tower, one can see the main ridge of the Smoky Mountains to the North, the Balsams and the Cowees to the East, and the Tusquittee and Slickrock ranges to the West.

For more hiking trail information click here

Medium Length Hiking Trails

Standing Indian Mountain from Deep Gap - (5 mi. the Deep Gap par the Clay County line (small sign) then turn left onto FS 71, which is(5 mi. moderate, mile gravel- road ending at Deep Gap. At the gap, the Appalrt) crosses through the parking area. Go East on the AT (you pass a wilderness registration booth - if you don't, you're not on the right trail!). The trail does a long, gentle climb of the mountain for 2.5 miles, passing a trail shelter side-trail on the way. When you reach the blue-blazed Lower Ridge Trail, turn right - you are near the summit. Follow this trail to the summit with it's nice Southwesterly views. Standing Indian is the highest mountain South of the Smoky Mtns. in this area (5500 ft.).

Whiterock Mountain via Bartram Trail - (4.5 mi. moderate) The hardest part of this hike may be finding the trailhead if you're not familiar with the area! Turn off US 64 between Franklin and Highlands at Gold Mine Road and follow it to Gold Mine Church. Just before the church parking lot, turn left on a dirt road. About 2.3 miles up this road, near the top of a long climb, an unmarked dirt road turns sharp right. Follow this road to Jones Gap and a parking area. Take the yellow-blazed Bartram Trail to the right out of the gap, across a couple of fields (views), then down a long gentle descent back of Jones Knob to Whiterock Gap. Follow the Bartram for another 0.7 mile, watching for the blue-blazed trail to the left. This trail takes you to the rocky face of Whiterock Mtn, with great views down into Tessentee valley and across to the Nantahala Mountains.

For more hiking trail information click here

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Longer Hiking Trails

Yellow Mountain Trail - (about 9 miles rt, fairly strenuous) This hike takes you up three mountains in just under 5 miles, each one offering some views, but Yellow Mtn. is the highest peak in the Cowee Range, and has fabulous views in every direction. From Highlands, follow US 64 toward Cashiers, and turn onto Buck Creek road at about 3 miles. Follow Buck Creek road 2.3 miles to Cole Gap (easy to miss) with limited parking on left side. From Franklin, follow US 64 toward Highlands, turn left onto Buck Creek road just where the highway starts up into the hills, and follow it to Cole Gap. The trail climbs Cole Mtn., crosses to Shortoff Mtn., then descends to a junction with a private trail: turn left here, and start the climb of Yellow Mtn. At the summit, there is a combined observation tower - radio building. For views of the Smoky Mtns. to the North, follow paths around to the NW side. Return via same route.

Standing Indian Mountain Long Loops - (10 mi., strenuous) If you want a good workout, some great views, and a variety of countryside, this is the hike to make. Drive to the Backcountry -parking area near the Standing Indian Campground (see directions in short hike list). Follow the blue blazes to the bridge across the Nantahala River in the campground, then make your choice of which way you want to do the loop - to do your climbing early, turn left on the Lower Ridge Trail, and follow it all the way to the top of Standing Indian Mtn., about 4 miles. After enjoying the summit, come back to the Appalachian Trail and turn left. Follow the AT down to Deep Gap, then find and follow the blue-blazed Kimsey Creek Trail back to the parking area. If you prefer to do your climbing more gently, and pay for it with a rugged descent, take the other way around the loop.

Community Links

What else is there to do you ask? To learn more about what Franklin, NC has to offer you visit The Franklin Chamber Website

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