Highly noted for an ideal setting within the amazingly beautiful Appalachian Mountains, western North Carolina vacation properties are quickly on the rise to becoming the most popular vacation spots in the country. The value of western North Carolina vacation properties are at an all-time high, thanks to the area’s pristine natural environment, wonderful array of outdoor recreational activities, cultural events, hiking trails, and more.

Some of the developments throughout the area are being designed ideally for western North Carolina vacation properties, such as Bear Lake Reserve in Tuckasegee, The Cliffs at Walnut Cove in Asheville, The Settings of Black Mountain, and Lake Lure, as well as other locations throughout the Bryson City/Swain County area.

What to Do in Western North Carolina

From the Appalachian Trail to the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Biltmore Estate, you’ll never run out of things to do in this thriving portion of the state. Outdoor activities abound at locations like the Cradle Forestry in America, a 6,500 acre Historic Site and Forest Discovery Center within the Pisgah National Forest; the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest; Nantahala National Forest; Darnell Farms Corn Maze; Pisgah National Forest; and the Fontana Lake and Dam.

For a leisurely day on the water, why not take a dip and enjoy Deep Creek Tubing, a smart way to cool off on a hot summer day, as well as a great place to bike, hike, or horseback ride. There are also several golf courses located in the area’s Great Smoky Mountains. Nantahala and Tuckasiegee River Rafting offer other ways to create a fun, adventure-filled day.

Western North Carolina vacation properties are also quite popular for the area’s many high-end skiing areas. Grandfather Mountain rises 5,964 feet above sea level is and is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountain Range.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers an impressive 520,408 acres of land, with heights ranging from 840 feet at Abrams Creek to 6,643 feet at Clingmans Dome. At the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the “Road to Nowhere,” a six-mile scenic drive that provides amazing views of the Tuckasiegee River, Fontana Lake, and the Appalachian Mountains.

Those who love to fish can try their hand at Hazel Creek, a magnificent place to “get away from it all.” There is also the Needmore Tract, a 4,500-acre nature preserve managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, to protect local water quality and natural wildlife habitats.

The only caverns in the state of North Carolina are the Linville Caverns, discovered over 100 years ago, deep inside Humpback Mountain. Perry’s Water Gardens is another fascinating place to visit, as it is home to a variety of water lilies and lotuses that bloom from May to August. Perry’s Water Gardens are believed to be the largest commercial aquatic nursery in the nation.

The Mountain Farm and Museum exposes visitors to the early 1900s farmstead, and also serves as the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll anytime of year. Other museums include the Scottish Tartans Museum, founded by the Scottish Tartans Society, and the Wheels Through Time Museum, an all-American museum.

Pack Place is notably home to great venues such as the Asheville Art Museum, Colburn Gem & Mineral Museum, Diana Wortham Theater, The Health Adventure, and the YMI Cultural Center.

For those looking to rent western North Carolina vacation properties for a family getaway, children will surely take delight in the area’s Santa’s Land, a family theme park and zoo open year round and featuring a lively Christmas theme.

Other fun activities include Tribal Bingo, treks through the Waterfalls abound in the Appalachians, Blue Ridge, and Great Smoky Mountains; Tsali biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails; camping at the Flaming Arrow Campground, and much, much more.

Mountain Glory

Western North Carolina vacation properties are admired by those who appreciate the majestic beauty and peaceful serenity of the mountains. The Appalachian, Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains offer cabin rentals, as well as parcels of land for sale.

Rentals and land for sale are located within several areas of western North Carolina. Longbranch Estates, for one, offers beautiful secluded mountain home sites with amazing panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains. These lots are located in Swain County on Needmore Road between Franklin and Bryson City, and most lots range in size from two to eight acres.

Other western North Carolina vacation properties are located near the Fontana Lake just off of Highway 74. These one-acre sites feature incredible mountain views. The properties are situated just 15 minutes from Bryson City, 10 minutes from the Nantahala River, and only five minutes from gorgeous Fontana Lake.

Bryson City makes for a spectacular, exciting vacation, as well as a quiet romantic getaway. Some of the most popular western North Carolina vacation properties are located in Bryson City. Named as one of the nation’s best “outdoor towns,” Bryson City offers a multitude of activities to enjoy, such as hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, whitewater rafting along the Nantahala River, and picnicking on the shores of Fontana Lake.

Additionally, Bryson City offers fabulous shopping, sightseeing, and people watching opportunities. The town is located in close proximity to western North Carolina’s biggest city, Asheville, as well as other cities including Gatlinburg, Cades Cove, Chimney Rock, and more. In addition to western North Carolina vacation properties in Bryson City, there are also several other lodging accommodations such as country inns, lodges, and bed and breakfasts.

Some of the restaurants in the charming mountain town of Bryson City include the Alarka Grill, Anthony’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, Bar-B-Q Wagon, Everett Street Diner, Calhoun Country Inn, The Filing Station, Fryemont Inn, Guayabitos Mexican, Mountain Perks, Nantahala Riverside CafÈ, Pasqualino’s, Randolph House, River Rock Grill, Riverside CafÈ, Soda Pops, The Station Restaurant, the Western Sizzlin' Steak House, Yummi Yummi Chinese, and many others.

Wondrous Waterfalls

Western North Carolina vacation properties are highly regarded for the pristine mountain views and crystal blue lakes, but also for the multiple waterfalls and cascades located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Nantahala National Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway in Pisgah National Forest, and the Appalachian Mountains. One of the most spectacular waterfalls is the 411-foot Whitewater Falls, the tallest series of falls east of the Mississippi.

Some of the other waterfalls in western North Carolina include the Bryson City Waterfalls, Cherokee Waterfalls, Nantahala Falls and Cascades, and the Cashiers/Highlands/Sapphire Waterfalls, which include Silver Run Falls, Whitewater Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Dry Falls.

Enjoying Autumn

Thousands of people seek information on western North Carolina vacation properties each year, especially during the autumn season. People from all across the world flock to western North Carolina to view the Appalachian, Blue Ridge, and Great Smoky Mountains as the leaves of the trees change into vibrant colors. Some of the most rampant trees in the area include the Birch, Dogwood, Poplar, and Sourwood trees, as well as beech, hickory, oak and sweet gum.

Western North Carolina has so much to offer, with its beautiful mountain towns, dozens of parks, forests, and hiking trails, plus skiing, golfing, and river rafting. To obtain more information about western North Carolina vacation properties and other area real estate, please contact the professionals of Schaffer Realty Group at 847-367-8773 to make an appointment today.