Things To Do — 7 Counties
Murphy sits at the crossroads of seven mountain counties. Within an hour: world-class whitewater, Georgia's highest peak, old-growth forests, six lakes, a casino, gem mining, a scenic railway, the Tail of the Dragon, and more waterfalls than you can visit in a year.
🏔️ Cherokee County, NC — Your Home Base
Water & Outdoors
- Hiwassee Lake (10 min) — 22 miles long, 180 mi shoreline. Fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming.
- Murphy River Walk — 3+ miles paved, free, dog-friendly
- Nantahala River (30 min) — Class II-III whitewater. Guided trips at noc.com
- Ocoee River, TN (45 min) — Class III-IV whitewater. Carolina Ocoee guided trips.
- Apalachia Lake (15 min) — 1,100 acres, completely wild. Brown trout.
- Fires Creek Recreation Area — locals' favorite, less crowded
Top Attractions
John C. Campbell Folk School
Brasstown, NC. Classes in blacksmithing, pottery, weaving & more since 1925. Annual Fall Festival first weekend October — 200+ vendors, 13,000+ visitors. folkschool.org
Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino
Full casino, Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen, hotel. 777 Casino Pkwy, Murphy.
Fields of the Wood
World's Largest Ten Commandments carved into a mountainside. Free.
WagonMaster Gem Mine
Pan for real sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. Great for all ages.
Annual Events
- Murphy Spring Festival — May, downtown Murphy
- John C. Campbell Fall Festival — First weekend October, Brasstown ⭐
- Murphy Art Walk — Monthly May–December, downtown. Free.
- Tuesday Flea Market — Every Tuesday on the 4-lane (Hwy 64/74)
- Christmas in Murphy — December, downtown events
🌊 Clay County, NC — Hayesville (20 min)
Hayesville has arguably the most beautiful town square in Western NC, surrounded by the Tusquittee Mountains that the Cherokee called "The Great Blue Hills of God."
🏛️ Hayesville Town Square
Historic stonework courthouse. Cherokee Homestead Exhibit, Quanassee Path through native botanical garden.
Summer Concerts on the Square
Friday evenings May–September. Bring a chair. Multiple bands all summer long.
⛵ Lake Chatuge
7,050 acres, 132 mi shoreline, straddles NC–GA border. Swimming beach, wakeboard cable park, two full marinas.
🛶 Hiwassee River Kayaking
Class I-II. 2.5-hour family paddle from downtown Hayesville. Perfect for beginners.
🎨 Clay County Barn Quilt Trail
Self-guided driving tour. Free.
🏛️ Old Jail Museum
Built 1912. Cherokee artifacts, local history. Free. Downtown Hayesville.
🏍️ Graham County, NC — Robbinsville (45 min)
Nantahala National Forest covers 68% of the entire county. Population: ~8,000 people. If you want to truly get away, this is it.
Tail of the Dragon — US 129
318 curves in 11 miles. The most challenging motorcycle and sports car road in America.
Cherohala Skyway
42 miles, 14 overlooks. Mile-high views. Go in fall. Go slow.
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
Trees 400+ years old, some 20 ft in circumference. Untouched since 1936. One of the most awe-inspiring natural sites in the Southeast.
Fontana Dam
480 feet high — highest dam east of the Rockies. 230+ miles of lake shoreline.
Tsali Recreation Area
World-class mountain biking on Fontana Lake. 40+ miles of trails.
Stecoah Valley Arts Center
Bluegrass, old-time, and folk music. Legendary Appalachian Evening concerts.
💎 Macon County, NC — Franklin (45 min)
Franklin is the "Gem Capital of the World" — earning the title since the 1870s.
Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
The only 100% unsalted gem mine in Macon County. Dig in actual native soil.
Mason's Sapphire Mine
All-natural dig-your-own operation since 1942.
Rose Creek Mine
Family-friendly sluice operation. Perfect for first-timers and kids.
Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum
6,000+ items in historic 1850 jail. Free admission.
Waterfalls
- Dry Falls — walk BEHIND the waterfall off Mountain Waters Scenic Byway
- Bridal Veil Falls — drive your car THROUGH the waterfall
- Cullasaja Falls — 250-foot cascade visible from the roadside
🎵 Pickin' on the Square
Free live music at the Franklin gazebo every Saturday evening, late May–late October.
🏔️ Union County, GA — Blairsville (30 min)
Brasstown Bald — 4,784 ft
360° views into four states. Observation tower and visitor center.
Neels Gap — Walasi-Yi Center
The only place along the entire 2,189-mile AT that passes through a building.
Lake Nottely
4,180 acres, trophy striped bass, walleye, rainbow trout. Two marinas, white sand beach.
Vogel State Park
Camping, hiking, swimming at 2,258 ft. Appalachian Trail access.
Trackrock Petroglyphs
Prehistoric Native American rock carvings. Among the most significant in the Southeast. Free.
- Blood Mountain — 4,458 ft, highest point on Georgia AT. 4.4-mile round trip.
- Helton Creek Falls — Easy 0.3-mile hike to a double waterfall. Family-friendly.
- Dukes Creek Falls — 2-mile hike, one of Georgia's most visited waterfall trails.
🎪 Towns County, GA — Hiawassee / Young Harris (25–30 min)
Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
207 lakeside camping and RV sites. Boat ramp, playground, Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens on Lake Chatuge.
Georgia Mountain Fair
Rides, shows, entertainment, food.
Acoustic Sunsets
Live music at Hamilton Gardens overlooking Lake Chatuge.
Christmas in Lights
Walk-through light show, train rides, Santa.
Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens
20 acres, peak bloom in spring. Free on non-event days.
🚂 Fannin County, GA — Blue Ridge / McCaysville (40–50 min)
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
3-hour round trip through mountains to McCaysville. brscenic.com
Mercier Orchards
Pick-your-own apples August–November. mercier-orchards.com
Springer Mountain — AT Terminus
Southern end of the entire 2,189-mile Appalachian Trail.
Long Creek Falls
50-ft waterfall, 30-min hike. Most popular in Fannin County.
Toccoa River Swinging Bridge
270 ft — longest east of the Mississippi. Stunning photography spot.
Toccoa River Tubing
Most popular summer family activity in Fannin County.
🍕 Twisted Tomato
🗺️ Day Trip Distance Guide
| Destination | Drive | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Hayesville, NC | 20 min | Lake Chatuge, town square, free concerts |
| Blairsville, GA | 30 min | Brasstown Bald, Lake Nottely, hiking |
| Hiawassee, GA | 25 min | Georgia Mountain Fair, Lake Chatuge |
| Franklin, NC | 45 min | Gem mining, waterfalls, Pickin' on the Square |
| Robbinsville, NC | 45 min | Tail of the Dragon, Joyce Kilmer Forest |
| Blue Ridge, GA | 45 min | Scenic railway, Mercier Orchards |
| McCaysville, GA | 45 min | Twisted Tomato pizza, Toccoa River |