Have you ever been to Graham county?

  Lake Santeetlah, Robbinsville NC 28771

  “Have you ever been to Graham county?”

My number one question when someone calls about a property in Graham county. It’s a special and unique place. Hidden, you might say, deep in the Appalachians. It’s “two hours from anywhere” and 2/3rds of it is federal land. We are up to 5 stop lights and it’s not a place to visit if you long for frenetic city life. It is, however, a place to dive into if your imagination is ignited by ancient peaks and valleys; rushing and flowing water is a balm to your soul and if you prefer to wander unencumbered through forests and feel a connection to the earth then you may have found your place.

So what is there to do there?

For the outdoor enthusiasts there is a long list of trails to explore and wander.  Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest contains not only multiple levels of difficulty of hikes, but it’s also home to the elusive synchronous fireflies and the blue ghost. If you desire a more rugged experience, continue back into the “Slickrock” area for hikes that include one of the top ten toughest trails in the US (my dad just completed this he said for the first and last time). The Smoky Mountain National Park (the most visited national park in the nation) is part of the Southern Appalachian Mountain Range. The Snowbird Backcountry is a favorite spot for hunting, fishing, and primitive camping. And while there are numerous more that could be mentioned, perhaps the most famous is The Appalachian Trail. And soon, in addition to incredible views where it weaves over Stecoah Gap, there will also be NC’s first land bridge. 

For those who delight in finding surprises off the main roads, Graham county is a happy destination. If you venture down its warrens and hollows you’ll discover artisans and farms that are beautiful places to visit and have businesses to patronize. 3 miles down Yellow Creek Road you’ll find Marie’s Lavender Farm. Drive up to the Lavender shop and park. Let Marie give you a tour of her fields. She’ll tell you about the different types, best time to plant, and then you can browse her wares. From plants, to candles (feel free to buy me one), to stuffed animals, you’ll find something that you probably can’t live without. For the pottery and art enthusiast, go to the corner of Yellow Creek and Upper Cove Road and you’ll find The Shed Galley. Randy and Sandy open up to the public on Saturdays (and by appointment) and have an eclectic art collection for display and purchase. If your path takes you to Fontana, be sure to look up Doodad Mosaics and Glass. Hand made fused glass art is her passion and you can pick existing pieces or have something commissioned. Of course, the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is a great place to find other local artisans. Open Monday-Saturday 10-4 pm (March through December) the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center also plays host to festivals, concerts, and festivals that must not be missed.

Right down the road is Fontana, home to Fontana Dam & Fontana Village. Fontana Dam is the tallest dam in the Eastern United States, and I can vouch that it feels like when you walk along it and look down over the spillway. The Appalachian Trail crosses here and there’s multiple locations for picnicking, view watching, and posing for pictures. It’s got a great visitor site and very occasionally they will have dam tours which involve signing up via lottery system to win one of these rare tickets to see some of the inner workings. I haven’t managed to win one yet, so if you do feel free to bring me as your plus one! Fontana Village was the original town built for workers who came from around the country to build the dam. It is now a really fun resort that has a pool and a lazy river, tennis and pickleball courts, a “Dam Store” gas station, restaurant, and more. We stayed here for my husband’s high school reunion and we had (too) much fun. It’s a great place for a day visit, a weekend getaway, or a longer stay. 

What may be surprising is some of the food and drink opportunities that you find here. Graham county was a dry county until 2021, but Wehrloom Honey & Meadery has been selling delicious honey wine since 2017(due to a clever loophole). I remember the first time I visited their brick & mortar store being so excited that a place like this existed, and that it existed in a place as small as Robbinsville. Between the honey, the bee products, the soda, and the mead, this place is still one of my favorite places to visit. They’ve expanded their reach and now you can buy their canned or bottled mead all over Western North Carolina. But my favorite place to get it is still in that original brick and mortar location on US 129. 

Robbinsville has also joined the food truck craze and has several incredible options. A few of my favorites are The Phoenix Food Truck  & Chubby Chicks. And though it’s a small town, it has one of the best coffee shops that I’ve been to in my life. Kin Cafe opens early, closes late, and is a great place to work out of, relax in, meet friends, or even watch the local high school football games which they stream in season. 

My favorite place to end an evening (or start one) with friends is Tapoco Lodge. It is magical. Located on 129 (right down the road from The Dragon & Deals Gap) this historic place allows you to feast on the banks of the Cheoah River or enjoy drinks at the open air bar. The best catfish nuggets (per Autumn), incredible pizza, and a super tempting gift shop. On river release days sit on the deck and watch kayakers navigate the class 4 & 5 level rapids. It’s a place that whenever anyone suggests going, I experience an instant lift in mood. It’s that good.

So the answer when I ask if you’ve ever been is “no.”, then I’ve got exciting news.

You have so much exploring to do. Let’s go.