Graham County North Carolina

Unspoiled natural beauty around every curve.

Graham County North Carolina 

Natural beauty and unspoiled by crowds, Graham County is a rare find in today's world. We call it the quiet side of the Smokies.

Two-thirds of Graham County is National Forest, home to the giant poplars of Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Slickrock Creek Wilderness Area, Snowbird Backcounty and the Nantahala National Forest. It also borders the Smoky Mountains National Park. The Appalachian, Benton MacKaye and Bartram Trails wind through the county's forests and mountains.

Lake Santeetlah, Fontana Lake, Cheoah Lake, and Calderwood Lake are primarily surrounded by National Forests, never to be spoiled by development. Many visitors enjoy the solitude of the lake even on the busiest of summer weekends. 

Graham County's unique past includes native Cherokee Indian lore, early settler exploits and logging history of the vast forests.

Explore the Outdoors

Roads to Explore

The mile high Cherohala Skyway, 318 curves at the Tail of the Dragon, sweepers along the Moonshiner28, and remote gravel forest service roads ..... we've got them all and just minutes away.

Forest Trails & Wilderness

Discover the giant Poplar trees of Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, hiking trails throughout the Big Snowbird Backcounty and Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and mile high mountain balds.

Mountain Lakes & Streams

Home to pristine mountain lakes and mountain streams stocked with delayed harvest.  Cheoah River has some of the best whitewater rafting on the east coast with Class IV rapids.

Smoky Mountain Culture

The area is rich in Appalachian mountain heritage and home to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Home to Stecoah Valley Center a vital contributor to the preservation of mountain heritage of Western North Carolina where you can hear.

Stecoah-Valley-Center
Snowbird Mountain Lodge
Snowbird Mountain Lodge

Unique Lodging

Accommodations vary as widely as the activities. There are hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, luxury vacation homes, and rustic cabins. Pick your location; mountaintop, lake, creek, or forest. There is something here that will meet your needs.

Ready to find out more?

GrahamChamber.com is a member of the Tail of the Dragon family of websites and is provided to promote tourism in Graham County, North Carolina.