Within Nantahala National Forest, just off the Appalachian Trail, Franklin welcomes travelers with outdoor adventures and small-town charm.
trail
Trailblazing in Blowing Rock
From Blue Ridge hiking and craft trails to history walks and horseback riding, you’ll find your path in the High Country.
Year of the Trail: 3 Easy State Park Trails
Each month, we’re celebrating North Carolina’s official Year of the Trail by exploring amazing places to hike, bike, walk, and play across the state.
Year of the Trail: 3 Paved Greenways in the Piedmont
Each month, we’re celebrating North Carolina’s official Year of the Trail by exploring amazing places to hike, bike, walk, and play across the state.
Year of the Trail: 3 Trails for Winter Bird-Watching
Each month, we’re celebrating North Carolina’s official Year of the Trail by exploring amazing places to hike, bike, walk, and play across the state.
Going with the Flow: 5 Stops Along the Cape Fear River
Paddle to ancient bald cypress trees, explore a wetland boardwalk, race through rapids, catch your own clams, and savor shrimp and grits as you head east along the mighty Cape Fear.
A Local’s Guide to Cary
Take a trip to this Piedmont city with a small-town soul, where you can savor award-winning ice cream, explore a peaceful, shady nature preserve, go restaurant- and brewery-hopping downtown, and more.
Swing Time: North Carolina’s Suspension Bridges
In Gorges State Park and other remote areas of our state, swinging suspension bridges — practically woven into the woods around them — transport hikers over rivers, across creeks, and into the past.
From Land to Sea in Elizabeth City
Before the Pasquotank River flows into Albemarle Sound, it passes by a historic and welcoming coastal town known as the “Harbor of Hospitality.”
