Porter Creek's spectacular horizons are awash with color.
Recreational diversions await in every direction from Porter Creek, where active family living is a community hallmark. Interpretive trails for children to explore. Hiking the epic Appalachian Trail. Kayaking the untamed waters of the Chattooga River. Canoeing 27 miles of unspoiled beauty on the Little Tennessee River. Mountain biking on the nationally renown Tsali Trail. World-class fly fishing. Regardless of the path you choose, year-round fun is at your doorstep in this captivating setting.
Biking
Mountain Biking - Tsali Campground (Nantahala National Forest)
[25 Miles north of Franklin, NC]
Located 25 miles North of Franklin the popular Tsali Recreation Area has long been a top destination for mountain biking in North Carolina and even the entire eastern US. Containing nearly 40 miles of trails in a system with four excellent loops, it has been rated as one of the top 10 places to ride in the USA! The trails are fast, hard packed single track, and they’re extremely well designed and well used.
Great biking guide : http://www.mtbikewnc.com/bestrides/brrides.html
Watersports
Chattooga River [35 miles south from Franklin, NC]
The Chattooga River is one of the few remaining free-flowing streams in the Southeast. The setting is primitive. Dense forests and undeveloped shorelines characterize the primitive nature of the area. Floaters, hikers, and fishermen can all enjoy this protected river corridor.
Nantahala River [27 miles North of Franklin, NC]
The Nantahala is the classic southeastern river for entry-level whitewater. It’s safe to say that the Nantahala is one of the most rafted streams in the country. It’s probably safe to say that more beginners have swum while learning on this river than most others. With good current and consistent waves, the Nantahala is the perfect river for a family whitewater adventure.
Golf
Franklin Golf Course
255 First Fairway Drive
Franklin, NC 28734
Office: (828) 524-2288
Fax: (828) 524-9608
Kingwood Golf Club & Resort
401 Country Club Drive
Clayton, GA 30525
Toll-free: (866) 546-4966
Local: (706) 212-4100
Mill Creek Resort & Country Club
341 Country Club Drive
Franklin, NC 28734
Toll Free: (800) 533-3916
Office: (828) 524-6458
http://www.mcgolfresort.com
Hiking
Rufus Morgan Trail - (1 mile loop) - Spring wildflowers, and mature hardwood forest make this a pleasant short hike.
Shot Pouch Trail- (1.5 mi. total) This unblazed trail crosses the Appalachian Trail, goes across a grassed wildlife clearing, and continues as a logging road past a small waterfall and ends with nice views of Franklin Valley, Cowee, and Fishhawk mountains.
Wayah Bald Lookout Tower - (0.3 mi.) 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.
Wasilik Poplar Trail - (1.4 mi round trip). The Wasilik trail crosses the Appalachian Trail (which crosses next to the parking area) and then descends for 0.7 miles to the second largest poplar tree known in the US. The return trip can be strenuous for those not accustomed to long climbs, but this enormous tree is worth the trip.
Mooney Falls Trail - (0.5 mi - steep!!!) The trail descends alongside falls, getting very steep in places. In leaf-off season, a good overall view of the falls can be seen from the road just down from the parking area.
Albert Mountain Firetower - (1 mi. rt) Here are spectacular views of the Little Tennessee Valley, the Fishhawk and Cowee Mountains, with the Coweeta Valley just below. The firetower is another national historic site, and is manned by FS people during times of high fire danger.
Whiteside Mountain - (2 mi.) Another mountain with spectacular views located between Highlands and Cashiers. Believed to be one of the oldest mountains on the planet,but in the Highlands area. The trail itself is a loop, and you can go either direction. The center section of the trail follows the top of Whiteside’s steep south-facing cliffs, with great views of other rocky mountains in the area.
Medium Length Hiking Trails
Standing Indian Mountain from Deep Gap - (5 mi.) 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) This trail takes you to the rocky face of Whiterock Mtn, with great views down into Tessentee Valley and across to the Nantahala Mountains.
Park Creek - Park Ridge Loops - (about 5 mi. each, moderate) As their names imply, the Park Ridge trail stays high on the ridges and the Park Creek trail follows Park Creek leading into the Nantahala River. These are interesting, little-used trails through pretty country.
Wesser Bald Observation Tower - (4 mi. moderate) This hike uses the Appalachian Trail to reach a great viewpoint. There used to be a firetower on Wesser Bald, but it was burned many years ago. Through joint efforts of the FS and Nantahala Hiking Club, the steel frame remaining was converted to an observation tower for the benefit of hikers. From the tower, there are views in all directions - to the north, you see the Smoky Mtns. across Fontana Lake, the Balsam Mtns.(with visible parkway) to the northeast with the Cowee Mtns. a little nearer. East is the Tellico Valley, and the Little Tennessee River Valley. South there is the Nantahala Ridge, hiding Wayah Bald, but Winespring Bald shows it’s towers. To the west are the Valley River Mtns, the Snowbirds, and the Slickrock Range.
Siler Bald - (4 mi.) Siler Bald has one of the nicer views in this area. Both the observation tower on Wayah Bald, and the television/radio towers on Wine Spring Bald are nearby to the north. A portion of Nantahala Lake can be seen to the west, and the Franklin area valley to the east. South one can see into Georgia, past Standing Indian Mtn. and Albert Mtn. Return via the same route.
Longer Hiking Trails
Yellow Mountain Trail - (about 9 mi. fairly strenuous) This hike takes you up three mountains in just under 5 miles, each one offering some views. Yellow Mtn. is the highest peak in the Cowee Range, and has fabulous views in every direction.
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.
Fishing
Lake Fontana [25 Miles north of Franklin, NC]
Lake Fontana is a 29-mile long lake, with more than 240 miles of virtually undeveloped shoreline and 11,685 acres of water surface. Great for fishing, boating, water skiing and kayaking its deep, cold waters provide ideal habitat for a variety of fish. In fact, record size musky and walleye have been pulled from its depths. Some people even claim that it’s one of the best smallmouth bass lakes in the country.
Andy’s Trout Farm
Betty’s Creek Road, Franklin, NC 30537
706-746-2550
Located on 325 acres of scenic mountain land, this trout farm offers a great place to get away and enjoy nature and fishing. Visitors can take to the lake in paddle boats, tour the hatchery, and children can enjoy a ride on Andy’s Kiddie Train while visiting here.
Aquatic Adventures
1025 Bethel Church Road, Franklin, NC 28734
828-524-7532
Captain Fred Eldredge, a resident of Franklin for over 30 years, is well trained in fly casting instruction and local flies. He offers guided stream and lake trips for trout and bass.
Fish and Game Management Enterprise
Located in Cherokee, NC
828-497-5201
Fishing is available year round on 30 miles of easily accessible trout streams at this location that is open from the last Saturday in March through the end of February.
Great Smoky Mountain Fish Camp
81 Bennett Road, Franklin, NC 28734
828-369-5295
At this fish camp, professional guides will lead fishing excursions on the Little Tennessee and Tuckaseegee Rivers.
Mashburn Trout Farm
2868 Ellijay Road, Franklin, NC 28734
828-524-4764
This large trout farm and hatchery offers visitors the chance to catch beautiful trout for a small fee.
Skiing
Appalachian Mtn
940 Ski Mountain Road
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
http://www.appskimtn.com/
Appalachian Ski Mountain has long been acclaimed as one of the best places to ski for families, groups and beginners. They welcome skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.
Cataloochee Ski Area
1080 Ski Lodge Road
Maggie Valley, NC 28751
(800) 768-0285
http://www.cataloochee.com/
For 45 years, Cataloochee skiers have enjoyed the winding trails and terrain for all skill levels. Visitors to Cataloochee Ski Area will tell you that it is their friendly, helpful atmosphere that make the Cataloochee experience one of a kind.
Hawksnest
2058 Skyland Drive
Banner Elk NC 28604
(800) 822-4295
http://www.skihawk.com/
Hawksnest Ski Resort has long been a favorite of locals and visitors for numerous reasons. Chief among them is the fact that they offer terrain that is challenging for all skill levels of skiers and snow boarders. 20% of their terrain is dedicated to beginners, and 10% to expert skiers. That leaves a whopping 70% of their terrain devoted to intermediate and advanced riders!
Ski Beech
1007 Beech Mountain Parkway
Beech Mountain, NC 28604
(800) 438-2093
http://www.skibeech.com/
Located high in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the Ski Beech summit elevation is 5,505 feet. With 15 slopes and 9 lifts, Ski Beech has terrain for beginners to seasoned experts.
Sugar Mountain
1009 Sugar Mountain Drive
Sugar Mountain 28604
(800) 784-2768
http://www.skisugar.com/
Sugar Mountain is the largest ski area in North Carolina by about 20 acres (total of 115 acres of skiable terrain). Sugar is located in the beautiful Village of Sugar Mountain, right off of Hwy 184. Sugar Mountain also boasts the largest vertical drop (1200’) in the state.
