There’s a reason more travelers are enjoying Macon County, North Carolina. Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest and some of the most beautiful mountains, rivers and trails in Western North Carolina, Franklin makes the perfect home base for exploring it all.
Spend the morning hiking to a mountain overlook, the afternoon floating a scenic river, and the evening back in downtown Franklin for dinner, shopping and live music. From the trails around Franklin to the mountaintops of Highlands and the historic communities of northern Macon County, adventure is never far away.
Here are a few ways to experience more of Macon County on your next trip to Franklin, NC.
🥾 Follow the Bartram Trail Through Franklin
You don’t have to travel far from downtown Franklin to find one of Western North Carolina’s great long-distance hiking trails.
The Bartram Trail travels for more than 100 miles through Georgia and North Carolina, following the approximate route of 18th-century naturalist William Bartram through the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Even better for visitors staying in Franklin: the trail officially travels through Franklin itself.
For a manageable day hike, head just outside town to the Wallace Branch to William’s Pulpit section of the Bartram Trail. This approximately four-mile out-and-back hike travels through lush mountain forest, passes a beautiful waterfall and finishes with an impressive view across the Nantahala Mountains.
It’s an easy way to add a genuine Appalachian trail experience to a Franklin getaway without committing to an all-day trek.
🌿 Slow Down on the Little Tennessee River Greenway
Not every outdoor adventure needs to involve climbing a mountain.
The Little Tennessee River Greenway offers approximately five miles of mostly level trail alongside the Little Tennessee River right here in Franklin. Walk it, bike it, watch for birds and wildlife, stop beside the river or simply find a quiet place to enjoy the mountain scenery.
The Greenway passes through wetlands, wooded areas and former pastureland while providing access to one of the natural features that has shaped this area for generations: the Little Tennessee River.
It’s also one of the easiest outdoor activities in Franklin to work into a trip. Explore the Greenway in the morning and you’ll still have plenty of time to head downtown for lunch, shopping or another adventure.
⛰️ Take a Day Trip to Whiteside Mountain
With Franklin as your home base, some of the most famous scenery in the North Carolina mountains is within easy reach.
Head toward Highlands for a hike at Whiteside Mountain, known for its dramatic cliffs and sweeping views across the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
The mountain makes an excellent addition to a Franklin-based vacation: spend part of the day exploring the Highlands area, then follow US 64 back toward Franklin through the Cullasaja River Gorge, where waterfalls and mountain scenery turn the drive itself into part of the experience.
🎣 Go Fly Fishing in the Mountains
Cold mountain streams, forested riverbanks and miles of fishable water make the Franklin area a natural destination for anglers.
And you don’t have to be an experienced fly fisherman to enjoy it.
Local outfitters and guides can help both beginners and experienced anglers explore waters throughout Western North Carolina. Fish Tales Outfitters & Guide Service, located in Franklin, offers walk-and-wade excursions, float trips and backcountry trips, along with smallmouth bass float trips on the Little Tennessee River.
A guided trip takes much of the guesswork out of fishing unfamiliar mountain waters and gives visitors a chance to experience the rivers with someone who knows them well.
🚣 See the Little Tennessee River with Alarka Expeditions
One of Macon County’s greatest outdoor treasures looks completely different from the water.
Alarka Expeditions, based in Franklin, offers guided outdoor experiences that combine adventure with the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachians.
A scenic paddle on the Little Tennessee River offers a slower way to experience the landscape, with gentle stretches of river, mountain views and opportunities to learn about one of Western North Carolina’s most ecologically significant river systems.
For families, couples or visitors looking for an outdoor experience beyond traditional hiking, a guided river trip can become one of the highlights of a Franklin vacation.
🏡 Step Back in Time at the Historic T.M. Rickman Store
Outdoor adventure is only part of Macon County’s story.
Travel north from Franklin into the historic Cowee Valley and you’ll find the T.M. Rickman Store, a remarkably preserved piece of mountain community history in the Cowee-West’s Mill Historic District.
The building dates to 1895, and Tom and Fannie Rickman began operating the general store there in 1925. In 2025, the community celebrated 100 years of the Rickman Store, recognizing a place that once served as an important gathering point and source of everyday goods for generations of Cowee Valley residents.
Today, visitors can once again gather at the store during its seasonal Saturday openings, when music, local history, artisans and community fellowship bring the old general store back to life.
Pair a visit with nearby Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center for an even deeper look at the culture and history of northern Macon County.
🌄 Make Franklin Your Base Camp for Macon County
The beauty of visiting Franklin isn’t just how much there is to do in town. It’s how much you can experience without constantly packing up and moving somewhere else.
From your home base in Franklin, you can hike the Bartram Trail, explore the Little Tennessee River, fish mountain streams, paddle through the Cowee Valley, visit historic communities and venture toward Highlands for some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Western North Carolina.
Then come back to Franklin.
Grab dinner downtown. Browse the shops along Main Street. Catch live music. Rest up and decide where tomorrow’s adventure will take you.
Because when you stay in Franklin, you’re not choosing just one mountain experience.
You’re putting yourself right in the middle of Macon County — and giving yourself the freedom to explore more of the North Carolina mountains.
