Waynesville, North Carolina sits at the crossroads of Western NC's most iconic destinations · all accessible via scenic, paved mountain roads. Stay at our luxury cabin and explore it all.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park · 30 Min
The most visited national park in America. The NC side is quieter and less crowded. Highlights: Cataloochee Valley, Clingmans Dome (6,643 ft), Deep Creek trails and tubing. NPS.gov ↗
Blue Ridge Parkway · 20 Min
Richland Balsam (6,053 ft) is the highest point on the entire Parkway, right in Haywood County. Waterrock Knob for sunset, Graveyard Fields for waterfalls and wild blueberry picking. Blue Ridge Parkway NPS ↗
Cataloochee Valley Elk Viewing · 35 Min
Home to approximately 200 wild elk. Best viewing at dawn and dusk. Fall rutting season (September through October) is spectacular.
Downtown Asheville · 35 Min
World-class dining, 30+ craft breweries, River Arts District, and the Biltmore Estate. One of the best food cities in America. Explore Asheville ↗
Zachary's Favorite Hikes
After ten years of exploring these mountains, these are the trails I send every guest to. Full details, directions, and tips in our complete hiking guide.
Waterrock Knob
20 min from cabin · Easy · 1.2 mi
My #1 pick for first-timers. Short climb to a 360° summit at 6,292 ft. Best at sunrise.
Max Patch
45 min from cabin · Easy · 1.5 mi
Grassy bald on the Appalachian Trail. Pack a picnic. Unreal sunset spot.
Graveyard Fields
25 min from cabin · Moderate · 3.2 mi
Two waterfalls + wild blueberry fields (ripe late July). A Parkway classic.
Cataloochee / Boogerman
35 min from cabin · Moderate · 7.4 mi
Old-growth forest + elk viewing. I do this one every fall.
Shining Rock
30 min from cabin · Hard · 10.4 mi
The quartz summit is unlike anything else in the Smokies. Bring plenty of water.
Sam Knob
25 min from cabin · Moderate · 4 mi
Two summits, wildflower meadows, far fewer crowds than Graveyard Fields next door.
Zachary's Favorite Restaurants
Waynesville has become a serious food town. These are the spots I personally recommend to guests. Full reviews and tips in our restaurant guide.
Bogart's Restaurant and Tavern
$$American tavern · Downtown Waynesville
Sit-down dinner that still works with kids at the table.
Boojum Brewing Company
$$Brewpub · Downtown Waynesville
Beer made in the building, a full food menu, and a speakeasy bar downstairs.
The Scotsman Public House
$$Celtic pub · Downtown Waynesville
A 1927 building on Church Street, late hours and a good beer list.
Singletree Heritage Kitchen
$$Southern farm to table · Depot Street
Local ingredients, Southern plates, closed Sundays and Mondays.
Chef's Table
$$$Fine dining · Downtown Waynesville
Small, chef-driven, evenings only. Reservations are the way to go.
Dough Boys Pizza & Mad Anthony's
$Pizza and taproom · Legion Drive
Mad Anthony's pours the beer, Dough Boys makes the pizza and wings, all one building. Locals just call it Dough Boys.
Frankie's Italian Trattoria
$$Italian · Maggie Valley
Fifteen minutes the other direction, worth the drive. Closed Sundays.
Kobe Express
$Japanese and sushi · Dellwood Road
Easy takeout on the way back up the mountain.
Kanini's Restaurant & Catering
$American · North Main
Family run, big portions, lunch counter energy. Call ahead, hours vary.
4 Queens Mexican Grill
$Mexican · Clyde
Over at Paragon Parkway, about fifteen minutes out.
Beach Mountain Diner
$Breakfast and lunch · Hazelwood
Classic diner plates, open seven days, 7 AM to 3 PM.
Panacea Coffeehouse
$Coffee roaster · Frog Level
Roasted on site. Where we go before a hike.
Jack the Dipper Ice Cream
$Ice cream · Waynesville Plaza
Hand dipped since 1976. Best ice cream in these mountains and we will argue about it.
More Adventures
- Cataloochee Ski Area · 10 min to the lift by the back road, 18 slopes + night skiing
- Cherokee and Harrah's Casino · 25 min
- Pigeon River Whitewater Rafting · 30 min
- 250+ Waterfalls within an hour
- Downtown Waynesville · 15 min, 50+ shops
- Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge · 60 min
Ready to explore? Book your stay or browse our local guides blog for detailed trip planning.
Trail photos via Wikimedia Commons: Waterrock Knob (CC BY-SA 3.0), Max Patch by Firehill (CC BY-SA 4.0), Graveyard Fields by jay8085 (CC BY 2.0), Cataloochee by Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0), Shining Rock (public domain), Middle Prong Wilderness by Jrmichae (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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