Outdoor Activities for the Adventurous
Bicycling and Mountain Biking
Bring your own bike or rent one from Motion Makers Bike Shop in Sylva. A list of easy, intermediate, and difficult bike trails can be found on the Franklin Chamber website. The Tsali mountain bike trail system attracts thousands of biking enthusiasts to the area every year and offers four loops and 40 miles of nationally…
Read MoreGreat Smoky Mountains Railroad
Two scenic railway excursions run from Bryson City through the beautiful countryside of Western North Carolina, providing a day trip for all the family to enjoy. Select from one of two excursions from March to December. The Tuckasegee River excursion runs on Saturdays only in Jan & Feb. Nantahala Gorge is a 4.5-hour round trip into the Nantahala Gorge. It stops at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and…
Read MoreHiking Trails
Whether you are looking for a short, family-friendly walk or something more strenuous, the following links will offer plenty of options. Our top pick is the family-friendly Little Tennessee River Greenway which runs through Franklin. It’s great for a short walk or jogging. The trail offers wheelchair-accessible paved trails, off-trail hiking, and bike trails. There is…
Read MoreSkiing, Snow Boarding, Snow Tubing & Ice Skating
Some fun winter outdoor activities for all the family to enjoy. Sapphire Valley Ski Resort is 28 miles away in Sapphire, NC. Click here for directions. The resort website is a great source of information on the resort’s amenities, which includes a ski school and a tube park. You can access a trail map, snow report,…
Read MoreHorseback Riding
A good place to start is to check out Yelp’s top 10 best horseback riding stables near Franklin. The reviews and location map will help you identify good options in the area. Some websites to check out: Dillard House Stables – Just under a 30-minute drive south from Buttercup Haven, this stable is in Georgia…
Read MoreWhitewater Rafting, Canoeing & Tubing
White water rafting or kayaking are available on the famous Nantahala and Ocoee Rivers. Other area streams include the Little Tennessee River and Tuckaseegee River, both of which are perfect for Canoeing & Tubing. Learn more here.
Read MoreZip Line Canopy Tours
Highlands Aerial Park is 24 miles south of Buttercup Haven located at an elevation 3,400 feet high atop High Holly Mountain in Scaly Mountain (click here for directions from Buttercup Haven). The “Brave Indian” zipline course is designed for families and those who desire to start ‘slower and lower’ than the thrilling World Class Canopy…
Read More