Graham County Travel and Tourism
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Official tourism page for Robbinsville, Fontana Dam, Lake Santeetlah & Stecoah Valley, North Carolina Two-thirds of Graham County is National Forest Lands.
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Graham County Travel and Tourism is your Western North Carolina Smoky Mountain Travel Guide with accommodation listings, local event calendar, and area information. Graham County, North Carolina offers a variety of Smoky Mountain adventures and is becoming better known every year. With a natural beauty still unspoiled by crowds, it is truly a rare find in today’s world. It is the home of Joyce Kil
mer Memorial Forest, Slickrock Creek Wilderness Area, the Nantahala National Forest, and borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Appalachian Trail winds through the county on its trek from Georgia to Maine. Lake Santeetlah’s shoreline is more than 75% National Forest; insurance that it will never be spoiled by development. Many visitors enjoy the solitude of the lake even on the busiest of summer weekends. Fontana Lake has some 25 miles of water to explore. The entire north shore is the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Fontana Dam is a must see for the vacationer. And there are still two other rarely visited lakes to explore. Some of our trout streams boast a national reputation. The Cheoah River has first class rapids for the white water enthusiast. Tsali Recreational Area attracts both mountain bikers and horseback riders. The county has three of the best motorcycle/sports car roads in America. The Tail of the Dragon will challenge even the best riders/drivers with its 318 curves in 11 miles. The 50 mile-long Cherohala Skyway is tamer, but offers unsurpassed views of Joyce Kilmer and the Cherokee National Forest. Moonshiner 28 might bring-up an image of the old rum-runners of the past. And there are hundreds of miles of other great roads to explore in every direction. Want to get in the woods? Forest Service roads lead to some of the most remote places in the Appalachians where you can have a mountaintop or a waterfall to yourself for an afternoon.
08/18/2024
US Forest Service Firefighter, Postal Carrier, Minister, and Master Broom-maker Cathy Henson is coming from Burnsville to Stecoah Valley Center on September 7 to make Appalachian-Style Turkey Wing Brooms with you.
www.StecoahValleyCenter.com/classes
08/18/2024
08/18/2024
08/14/2024
Did you see the Reel about Nathan Bush's Copper Jewelry Class?
Up next is Appalachian-Style Turkey Wing Brooms with Cathy Henson. Here's an article about how she got started: https://thelaurelofasheville.com/arts/wnc-craft-2024-mica-gallery-presents-broom-making-traditions-for-contemporary-times/
(photo is from the article)
08/14/2024
“Absolutely the best apple pie ever” said a guest tonight. Try the Cheoah Dining Room at Tapoco for an elevated dining experience.
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08/13/2024
08/13/2024
Join us for Mountain Homecoming Gospel Festival for singing, music, and fellowship August 15th - 18th. All are welcome to join!
08/13/2024
This Saturday, August 17th, the Kruger Brothers will perform on Stecoah’s Grand Old Stage. Detail here: https://stecoahvalleycenter.com/calendar/kruger-brothers-2/
Today we are sharing the second of a two part series from our An Appalachian Era publication celebrating 25 years of mountain music through the Stecoah’s An Appalachian Evening concert series. This series, titled Rule Breakers, introduces readers to two annual concert series performers who bring very unique approaches to traditional mountain music – Jeff Little and the Kruger Brothers (p. 32-35).
"Raised in a region of Europe famous for classical compositions, Jens Kruger of the Kruger Brothers was glued to the radio as a child, listening to American music – most of all, bluegrass. “My father listened to Dixieland, Chet Atkins, and Hank Snow while we had a broader range of musical tastes. I was fascinated by the sound of the banjo – how pure and clear and beautiful it was. I asked my mom, ‘Are there people who only do that?’ and she said, ‘Yeah, they’re called musicians.’ I said, ‘well, that’s what I want to do.’”
Keep reading today's full article here: https://grahamcountytravel.com/an-appalachian-era-rule-breakers-the-kruger-brothers/
Learn more about the magazine here: https://grahamcountytravel.com/an-appalachian-era/
You may purchase this commemorative publication either at the Stecoah Valley Center or the Welcome Center on 474 Rodney Orr Bypass.
08/09/2024
08/07/2024
This week's Wilderness Wednesday highlight from the August WNC Nature report is the yellow fringed orchid.
They love full sun and dry rocky hillsides. They can be commonly found beneath powerlines where the area has been cleared of plants that, if allowed to grow, would shade this wonderful orchid so much that it would wither and die. It is a mystery as to why this bright orange orchid was called “Yellow”. The orange flowers bloom along a raceme sticking straight up into the air. The flowers are pollinated by butterflies so you can be assured that you will see some of our beautiful butterfly species circling and tasting their nectar.
Folklore stories claim that the Cherokee would use a single fringed flower as bait to catch trout. The fringed petals resemble a fly. Keep an eye open as you drive along the roads for splashes of fluorescent orange. These orchids prefer the sunlight of the open road and fields.
See the full report here: https://grahamcountytravel.com/august-wnc-nature-report/
08/07/2024
🚗 Miatas at the Gap 2024: Record-Breaking Turnout! 🚗
The numbers are in! Thanks to you, we've had our biggest turnout yet!
Miatas Registered: 1239
Total Registrations: 1901
By Generation:
* Kit car: 0.7%
* NA: 34.6%
* NB: 24.9%
* NC: 18.0%
* ND: 21.8%
A huge thank you to everyone who made this event such a huge success! It's incredible to think that in 2019, we had just 730 Miatas and 1100 total registrations. This year, we welcomed 428 brand-new attendees! Welcome to the Miatas at the Gap family!
We are already counting down the days until next year!
08/07/2024
Max Silverstein: Fiddle and Vocals for Seth Mulder & Midnight Run
Playing the Fiddle is Max Silverstein from Bangor, Maine. Max is the most recent graduate in the band of East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass Major. He spent time playing both Guitar and Fiddle in the E.T.S.U. Bluegrass Pride Band during his Junior and Senior years, and has played Fiddle with many other touring groups playing all around the United States and Internationally as well. Max’s biggest influences include Stuart Duncan, Michael Cleveland, Jason Carter, Vassar Clements, and Brittany Haas.
Here, Max opens "God Gave You to Me" https://youtu.be/61fhw4yQpOI?si=_6qgt7AXT-ALz-MM
08/07/2024
If you’ve ever had a tour of the Stecoah Valley Center you know that the first stop after leaving the gallery and walking by the old piano is center stage. Visitors stop and look out into the beautiful auditorium in awe – it’s often such a surprise when they realize where they are standing. The beautiful ceiling soars overhead, the wooden auditorium seats gleam in the sun, and everything is nicely framed by rich velvet blue curtains. After you’ve caught your breath, your guide will likely tell you that you are standing in the very spot that the early legends of bluegrass stood playing to a crowded auditorium. Details of this story can be found on the Stecoah Valley Center website.
"Historically, the Stecoah school was a popular venue-stop for musicians on tour from Nashville. In the early 40s and 50s our Grand Old Stage has been graced with the top bluegrass performers of that time – Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, The Carter Family, Chet Atkins, Bonnie Lou and Buster, Archie Campbell, Carl Story, Elmer Jethro, Martha Carson and the Brewster Brothers to name just a few.
Many of these musicians were featured on Mid-Day Merry Go Round, a popular WNOX-Knoxville radio program. It seems these musicians charged little or nothing for admission and put on a great show to a full house! Stecoah’s performers today follow in the footsteps of these great musicians as well as the smaller footprints of the many school children that have performed on this stage.”
Keep reading here: https://grahamcountytravel.com/what-goes-around-comes-around/
08/06/2024
Colton Powers: Banjo and Vocals for Seth Mulder & Midnight Run
On the five-string banjo is Colton Powers, a Tennessee native and recent graduate of East Tennessee State Universities’ Bluegrass, Old-Time, Celtic and Country Music Studies program. Though he’s only been playing the banjo for eight years, he has become a very accomplished musician and vocalist, bringing influences of Earl Scruggs, J.D. Crowe and Bill Emerson to create a sound all his own. You’ll hear Colton playing banjo and singing lead, baritone and tenor vocals.
Here's Colton changing notes with his tuning pegs on "Church Hill Special." https://youtu.be/newiHPa4u7A?si=aymHtfBBPVvYqv6D
08/06/2024
08/06/2024
Dreaming of fall foliage? The forecast is out! Make your plans now to come see us!
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Graham County Travel and Tourism
08/06/2024
08/05/2024
Thank you, Miatas at the Gap! We can't wait to welcome you back in 2025.
08/03/2024
08/03/2024
Hello all returning guests and hopefully future guest. Make some vacation plans and come on out to Iron Horse Motorcycle lodge this fall. The mountains are amazing this time of year for a ride. Please reach out to us on our new mobile number 828-735-6174. You can also always reach us at our office number 336-496-0622 or make a reservation online at [email protected]. Looking forward to seeing you on your next stay!
08/03/2024
08/03/2024
It’s Miata’s at the Gap time, and there’s no better feeling than slaying the Dragon after a fresh detail. Stop by the Historic Tapoco Lodge to schedule your appointment before they fill!
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08/03/2024
Address
474 Rodney Orr Byp
Robbinsville, NC
28771
Opening Hours
Monday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
Tuesday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
Wednesday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
Thursday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
Friday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
Saturday | 10am - 3pm |
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Videos
WNC Wilderness Wednesday Report: The changing light and the fluttering wings of the pipevine swallowtail signal that we are entering the last fleeting days of summer but it’s not too late to get out there and explore. The lake waters are still warm and there's still plenty of bright summer flowers to photograph before the leaves begin to turn. Get out there and catch some sun! Strart planning your end-of-summer getaway here: https://grahamcountytravel.com/ And read the full August WNC Nature Report here: https://grahamcountytravel.com/august-wnc-nature-report/
2024 Dragon Hillclimb Day 2
We’re out here for day #2 of the 2024 Dragon Hillclimb. Come join us! For all the details on how to enjoy today’s race, click here: https://grahamcountytravel.com/a-spectators-guide-to-the-scca-dragon-hill-climb/
2024 Dragon Hillclimb - Graham County, North Carolina
It’s finally Hill Climb time! We’re out here all day today and tomorrow for two incredible days of racing. Come join us! Grab all the details here: https://grahamcountytravel.com/a-spectators-guide-to-the-scca-dragon-hill-climb/ The 2024 Dragon Hill Climb will take place Saturday and Sunday, July 27th and 28th. There will be a Dragon Hill Climb Unwind Concert - The Sundown Band on Saturday in downtown Robbinsville, North Carolina from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Details here: https://grahamcountytravel.com/event/dragon-hillclimb-appreciation-concert/
Sound check for tonight’s 7:30 pm performance! Join us for a Special PreSeason Concert with local favorites Wood, Wire and Clay featuring brothers Johnathan and Joshua Jones along with Dwight Bradshaw and son, Cameron Bradshaw. When you hear stringed tunes echoing through the hollers, you know summer is here. The Joneses and Bradshaw’s spent many summers honing their craft, as Dwight mentored the brothers and his son. Successful with the Smoky Mountain Boys and respected as a soloist, Bradshaw uses his experience to pour into younger generations of musicians. Johnathan and Joshua proved themselves as diligent and talented students, becoming master banjo, fiddle, and mandolin players. Bringing in Cameron on bass ties the band together for a cohesive sound locals love to hear. Though attending to families and careers reduced availability for concert tours, music continues to be an important part of the Jones and Bradshaw’s live. TONIGHT they’re pulling out their wooden instruments, tuning up the wire strings, and allowing themselves to continue improving like malleable clay. Wood, Wire, and Clay takes to the Grand Old Stage of Lynn L. Shields Auditorium so you can start your summer with favorite songs from a favorite local band. While tickets are NOT required, donations are requested. Help Stecoah Valley Center continue preserving and promoting southern Appalachian culture through music. All seats are General Admission. Doors open at 6 pm. The concert starts at 7:30 pm. All concerts are in the fully restored Lynn L. Shields Auditorium. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase in the Schoolhouse Cafe beginning at 6 pm. https://stecoahvalleycenter.com/calendar/wood-wire-and-clay-in-concert/
Join us for the annual blooming of the Native Flame Azaleas and a full season of Flame Azalea celebration. We'll be hosting our in-town festival on Saturday, June 8th at the Graham County High School featuring Outdoor, Gardening and Craft Vendors, an antique tractor show, guided hikes, a full lineup of incredible live music, kids activities, educational workshops, food trucks, and so much more! Mark your calendars for a festival to remember and stay tuned for all the details! THE LINEUP: 10:00 am Flag Ceremony/Posting of Colors National Anthem Robbinsville High School Band 10:15 am 🎵 Jacob & Lauren Goins 🎵 Jacob Goins is a poet who dresses his words in delicate melody, carefully designed. When he performs with his wife, Lauren, they are a duet whose voices are in harmony with the voices of our mountains as well as each other. Born and raised in the Appalachians, Jacob fashions folk music that shares in the gentleness, the rise and fall, and the golden peacefulness of the North Carolina mountains. His writing is born of woods, of the emergence and recession of light, and of the silence in which he lingers. In every humble effort, he strives to make art that doesn’t sing over the quiet, but rather sings with it. He is currently hard at work on new music for release in 2024. 11:00 am 🎵 The Sundown Band 🎵 The Sundown Band livens things up with an eclectic mix of country, soft rock, and Motown covers from the 70s, 80s, and 90s – Americana at its best. A blend of Alabama harmonies with a bit of Positive Force funk keeps audiences anticipating the next song. All members hail from Western North Carolina - Don O’Dell (keys/vocals), Rick Trammell (acoustic guitar/lead vocals), Jamie Nichols (vocals/lead guitar), Greg Bauman (lead guitar/vocals), Kemmy Garrett (bass), and Wayne Barter (drums). 12:00 pm 🎵 Stecoah JAM Band 🎵 A great mix of traditional bluegrass and old-time fiddle tunes from the Stecoah JAM Band. This group of students – some of who
Join us for - A celebration of Traditional Ways of the Snowbird Cherokees This Saturday, May 25, 2024 from 11 am to 4 pm 1897 Little Snowbird Road Robbinsville, NC 28771 A Learning Experience for Everyone! FREE PARKING, FREE ADMISSION VIDEO: Featuring a look back at past festivals Demonstrations Include: Beadwork Pottery Quilting Wood Carving Hominy Cooking Basket Weaving Bean Bread Making Butter Churning Story Telling Flute Making Herbal Medicine Lid Tossing Traditional Dancing Stick Ball Fish Game Cherokee Language Corn Pounding Menu: Wild Greens Fry Bread Indian Taco Hominy Fatback Fried Chicken Sassafrass Tea Additional Information: 828.735.4959 828.735.4275 828.735.6938
Happy 2024! Wishing a year of adventure, mountain-filled rest and relaxation, and of course countless new memories made in the heart of #YourNaturalDestination We can't wait to welcome you to Graham County, North Carolina!
The Dragon Hillclimb XVII returns Saturday and Sunday, July 29-30, 2023 to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest in Graham County, North Carolina. Drivers race uphill on a closed track in what can only be described as, "God's country." Take in the sites and adrenaline-pumping excitement of this epic course from the sidelines as a spectator or enter to participate at the link below. An incredible experience for the whole family with generations of tradition just waiting to be enjoyed. Check out the full video for all the details! Enter to participate here: https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/2023-dragon-hillclimb-xvii-hillcimb-scca-appalachian-hill-climb-series-375878 Please note: This race takes place on a closed road. All racers are required to meet specific safety requirements before entering the race. Do not attempt on open roads without training.
We're getting our ducks in a row for tonight's Music on the Square with the Ramblers! PLEASE NOTE: If it's raining this evening, Friday Night Music on the Square will be in the Graham County Community Building located at 196 Knight Street Robbinsville, NC 28771.
Happy New Year from Graham County, North Carolina! We can’t wait to welcome you to #YourNaturalDestination for adventure in 2023!
Have you explored the Stewart Cabin? This is a great destination for those looking to get off the blacktop and relax near the creek. The Stewart Cabin is located on NC-143. Grab a handy map of this destination here: https://tinyurl.com/2sm8uvu5
Flying above the mile high Cherohala Skyway. Only in Graham County, NC. #yournaturaldestination #cherohala #nantahalanationalforest #dronelove #smokymountains #roadtrippin #roadtripusa #wnc #themountainsarecalling #cheoah #828 #robbinsvillenc #robbinsville
Join us for the 5th Annual Native Azalea Festival in #YourNaturalDestination beginning Friday, June 10th and last through Sunday June 19th! This year's festival will include both Virtual and In-Person opportunities to enjoy the blooms! For our 2022 Native Azalea Festival, we invite you to join us from near or far for a two-week celebration. The festival will kick off officially the evening of June 12th with a @Bluegrass all stars performance at Stecoah Valley Center at 7 pm Enjoy a self-guided hikes around Hooper Bald off the Cherohala Skyway to view the beautiful flame azaleas or follow along from home on our YouTube page or Facebook. Azalea hiking and area touring maps are NOW available at the Graham County Travel and Tourism Office located at 474 Rodney Orr Bypass Robbinsville, NC 28771 Schedule of Events: ✨✨Friday, June 10th through Sunday, June 19th Explore Hooper Bald on a self-guided Azalea walk Explore this 1.2-mile out-and-back trail near Robbinsville, North Carolina just off of the Cherohala Skyway. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 60 minutes to complete but be sure to allow yourself extra time to explore the breathtaking native, flame azaleas. As you arrive at the bald from the meandering trail, head left toward the wooded area to meander through the overhead blooms. After exploring the azaleas, take a walk out to the bald for 360-degree views of the region. Maps and additional informtion are available at 474 Rodney Orr Bypass Robbinsville, NC 28771 ✨✨Sunday, June 12th at 7 pm Special Azalea Festival Concert with the Bluegrass All-Stars Darren Nicholson and Marc Pruett of Balsam Range with Audie Blaylock and Reed Jones of Redline will be ‘Spreading the Good Word of Bluegrass’ during this special Sunday night performance. They may be just playing around and having fun between tours but these four have been raising the roofs under the banner of the Bluegrass Allstars. More info. Adults $18; Students/K-
The flame azaleas are blooming all across #YourNaturalDestination but do you know the history of Hooper Bald where our annual native azalea walks take place? Learn more here for local historian Marshall McClung!
The 36th Annual Fading Voices Demonstration Day - A celebration of the traditional ways of the Snowbird Cherokees is nearly here. Make plans to join us for this incredible day. FREE ADMISSION When? Saturday, May 28th from 11 am - 4 pm Where? The Little Snowbird Church 1897 Little Snowbird Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771 Menu: fry bread, Indian Taco, Hominy, Fatback, wild greens, fried chicken, sassafras tea Demonstrations include: beadwork, pottery, quilting, wood carving, hominy cooking, basket weaving, bean bread making, butter churning, story telling, flute making, herbal medicine, lid tossing, traditional dancing, stick ball, fish game, Cherokee language, and corn pounding Please note: The sacred mound ceremony will begin at 11 am. Everyone who would like to participate in the ceremony should bring at least on cup or turtle shell of dirt from home.
Celebrating Earth Day 🌎 from the heart of #YourNaturalDestination How are you exploring the natural world today? 🥾🚣♀️🌸🏊♀️🦅🚴♂️🏇🌿 Drop a picture of your favorite outdoor adventure below for a chance to Bea featured! And to continue your exploration, click here: https://grahamcountytravel.com
Soaking up these final days of Summer. Safe travels to #YourNaturalDestination We can’t wait to see you out on the lake! For more trip planning info, start here: https://grahamcountytravel.com
A look back at the annual Snowbird Community Fading Voices demonstration day. From traditional craft displays to delicious food and spirited games, the celebration was enjoyed by all. Looking forward to next year's gathering on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Hope to see you there! Snowbird Cherokee Language Camp Snowbird Community Library Cherokee One Feather EBCI Communications Department Snowbird Youth Center Snowbird & Cherokee County Services Snowbird Cherokeecofamily
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