Know Before You Go

We’ve partnered with RecreateResponsibly.org to highlight the best practices of exploring our great outdoors. We believe in the importance of responsible recreation for all of our visitors and residents alike. Keep your and our communities’ wellbeing top-of-mind by following these seven principles:

Know Before You Go – Check the status of the place you want to visit. If it is closed, don’t go. If it is crowded, have a backup plan.

Practice Physical Distancing – Keep your group size small. Be prepared to cover your nose and mouth and give others space. If you are sick, stay home.

Plan Ahead – Prepare for facilities to be closed, pack lunch, and bring essentials like hand sanitizer and a face covering.

Play it Safe – Slow down and choose lower-risk activities to reduce your risk of injury. Search and rescue operations and health care resources are both strained.

Explore Locally – Limit long-distance travel and make use of local parks, trails, and public spaces. Be mindful of your impact on the communities you visit.

Leave No Trace – Respect public lands and waters, as well as Native and local communities. Take all your garbage with you.

Build an Inclusive Outdoors – Be an active part of making the outdoors safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Click here for an easy reference sheet with the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.

© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.

Waterfall Safety Tips – Please Read Carefully

Your safety is our top priority. Waterfalls are beautiful, but they can also be extremely dangerous if proper precautions aren’t taken.

• Obey all posted signs and instructions at waterfalls and along trails.
• Stay on designated trails, observation decks, and platforms. Do not venture off marked paths, even for a better view.
• Never climb on rocks near the edge or top of a waterfall. Wet or dry, rocks can be extremely slippery and unstable.
• Do not lean over ledges or attempt to cross above a waterfall. Even shallow water can sweep you off your feet.
• Avoid swimming or wading near waterfalls—especially upstream or at the top of a fall.
• Never jump from waterfalls or into pools below. Hidden rocks and currents can cause serious injuries or death.
• Avoid climbing on rocks higher than waist level. This increases fall risk and injury.
• Do not cross safety barriers or fences. They are there to protect you.
• Watch your footing. Slippery surfaces, loose gravel, and moss can all cause falls.
• Supervise children and pets closely at all times—keep them within arm’s reach near waterfalls.
• Do not take risks for photos or selfies. Make sure you’re in a safe, solid location before using your phone or camera.
• Avoid visiting waterfalls alone. If you must, let someone know your exact plans and expected return time.
• Bring a fully charged cell phone in case of emergencies, but don’t rely on it—some areas may have no signal.
• Check weather conditions before you go. Rain upstream can cause sudden water surges and flash flooding.
• Stay back from the edge. Erosion can make ledges unstable, and there’s often no second chance.

If in doubt, stay out.

• Stay on the trail – while taking a shortcut might seem like a good idea, we are home to the most biologically diverse ecosystem on the planet. To protect species which live here, stick to the trail. 
• Stay on the beaten path to avoid creatures and snakes that may be in the brush. We are home to both Copperheads and Rattlesnakes, and most bites occur when someone ventures off the main trail into the woods. 
• Always let people know where you are going and when you expect to be back. 
• Dress in layers for higher elevations as temperatures can drop as you reach the summit. 
• Bring an extra battery pack for your cell phone if you’re going on an extended trek. 
• Bring a topographic map or download an offline topo map app to your phone in areas you might not have service. There are many free apps like Offline Top Maps or All Trails which will save the maps to your telephone even when you don’t have service.
• If you’re planning an all-day trek in an unfamiliar area, take extra food and water, an extra cell phone battery pack and any other items you might need such as a headlamp if you may be hiking out after dark.
• Adequate footwear – many of our trails vary from paved paths on the parkway to small rocky boulders on more natural trails. Having proper hiking shoes provides for good ankle support on different terrains.
• Water – bring extra water, more than you think you’ll need. Bring it in a reusable bottle, and never litter used bottles along our trail.
• The Cashiers plateau in Jackson County receives a good bit of rainfall annually. Pack a lightweight raincoat just in case.

Panthertown Valley: Before you visit Panthertown Valley, also known as ‘Yosemite of the East’ you should purchase a map. It’s mandatory for navigating the 6,295 acres of waterfalls, trails and vistas. Maps can be purchased at local outfitters like Black Balsam Outdoors in Sylva or Highland Hiker in Cashiers. Additionally, they can be purchased online at www.PanthertownMap.com.

• Know in advance how to properly hang your food away from a bear’s or other animal’s reach.
• Store odorous food in airtight odor-concealing bags or containers.
• Take away any items you bring in with you.
• Ensure you check the weather forecast before you head out and wear appropriate layers and clothes.
• If building a campfire, follow these simple safety tips.
• Don’t camp out before a large snowstorm. While it might seem like a cool idea to wake up and take photos in a snowy-landscape, experienced hikers have done this before and ended up entirely disoriented because everything was covered in white and they could not find the trail and had to be rescued.
• In Sylva’s 1,000+ acre Pinnacle Park, there are three designated campsites. The permit to camp is free, but you must camp at one of three designated sites.

• When viewing wildlife, keep a safe distance from the animals. Do not approach them, only take photos from a distance. 
• Elk viewing: willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces elk, is illegal in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. Do not enter fields to view elk—remain by the roadside and use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals.
• Don’t feed animals. This could alter their natural behavior which could expose them to harm and other predators.
• For information on Black Bear Safety, click here.

When visiting our mountain region, it’s important to understand and respect the local snake population for your safety.

Most snakes are not a threat to humans or pets and are beneficial in controlling pests. In Jackson County, only two snakes are venomous – the Copperhead and Rattlesnake.

To avoid conflicts with snakes, be vigilant about your surroundings and never venture off an established trail. A good rule of thumb is always making sure you can see your feet while hiking.

If you encounter a snake, maintain a respectful distance, do not disturb it, and keep pets tightly leashed. Remember, snakes are a natural and important part of our ecosystem.

Paddlesports and recreational river activities such as tubing are great ways to enjoy a day on the water. However, some safety considerations need to be recognized before venturing out.

1) Wear a properly fitted life vest – United States Coast Guard approved, appropriate for whitewater, and in good condition.

2) Know where you go – check water levels, weather forecasts, and river difficulty information. Use an appropriate watercraft and stay within your skill level.

3) Go with a group and stay within eyesight of each other. Do not go on water alone!

For best paddling practices, click here for a guide by the American Canoe Association.

Permits are required to fish in Jackson County. To learn more about permits, check out the ‘permits’ section of our Fishing Page.

Voluntourism is a thing! We believe in leaving everything a little better than you found it. Many of our trails are pristine, but a few people will discard a plastic bottle or waste along the trail. If you want to give back, bring a grocery bag with you and on the way back to the car, collect any debris you find on a trail to help keep them clean for others. Tag your photos #TrashTag and pay it forward! (the founder of global movement known as #TrashTag lives in Jackson County!)

The North Carolina Mountains have been a summer vacation hotspot for decades and is known for its gorgeous fall foliage. We think our ‘Secret Season’ (January-March) offers spectacular views, when the crowds thin out and you have trails, vistas and attractions all to yourself. Not to mention, lodging rates are far lower and there’s no wait at your favorite restaurants.

Pet Safety

Be sure to keep your pet leashed near waterfalls and on hikes along steep drop-offs like Whiteside Mountain. Our mountains are home to native wildlife like deer, raccoons, bears, snakes, and others, which may injure or scare a pup who isn’t on a leash. It is also best to avoid placing your pup in a scenic location that they’re unfamiliar with and could lead to an accident.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Dogs are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, but must be kept on a leash at all times. The leash must not exceed 6 feet in length. Dogs are only allowed on two short walking paths—the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Pets are not allowed on any other park trails.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Yes, dogs and other pets are allowed on the Parkway, but must be on a leash (not to exceed six feet) and under your physical control.

U.S. Forest Service Lands (Whiteside Mountain, Panthertown Valley, etc)

Pets are allowed in all national forests, but must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times while in developed recreation areas and on interpretive trails. Most other areas within the National Forests do not require dogs to be on a leash, but they should be under control at all times.