Most folks who live in the southeastern states will tell you that, although storms come and go, the impact on the people and the land can stay a lifetime. Here in the Town of Franklin and Macon County, we experienced minimal impact from Hurricane Helene, but the devastation experienced by our neighbors to our east will stay with us forever.
Why is this message important to reopening our town and county to tourists? We want visitors to be fully aware of the state of our community as they plan to join us for the most magical season in the mountains.
We are open.
We have power, internet and cell service.
Our grocery stores and gas stations are restocked every day.
Our restaurants, farmers markets and gift shops are ready to serve you.
Our waterfalls – Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Rufus Morgan Falls and more – are all accessible, and majestic.
Our events are moving forward as planned – Monster Mash, Winter Wonderland and the New Year’s Eve Ruby Drop.
Our roads are open and flowing. There are no more Helene-related “travel advisories” around the impacted area of Asheville. You can get to us via any main highway, except I-40/I-26 from Knoxville at the N.C./Tenn. border. Even then, you can still get here from there, you just have to drive through Gatlinburg. If you’re feeling adventurous along the way, you can visit our neighbors in Cherokee County, the Eastern band of the Cherokee Indians at the Qualla Boundary, Swain County and Jackson County in just a few hours. But if you are driving to us through affected areas, please don’t stop to view the devastation. First, authorities may stop you and, second, it’s insensitive to the victims.
In other words, as you plan your visit, be informed. Everything is not totally “normal”, yet.
When it comes to lodging, please call ahead. Restoration workers are staying in our national chain hotels and commuting to the Asheville area to restore power. If your hotel reservation needs to be switched, check out our Bed & Breakfasts or local vacation rental homes.
Maybe check out some camping, RV or Glamping parks. Keep in mind some campsites along the Little Tennessee River or Cullasaja River were damaged and may not take guests yet. And some individual vacation rentals also may be damaged from the storm. Bottom line, check with the proprietors and make sure your lodging is secure and ready for you. They look forward to serving you, but we don’t want you to travel here only to find an unhappy surprise.
Once you’re here, go on a guided fishing trip with Fish Tales, a paddling tour with Alarka Expeditions, zipline at the Highlands Aerial Park or rent a boat and relax on the pristine Nantahala Lake.
When it comes to outdoor activities like hiking, biking and seeing the views, the Nantahala National Forest re-opened on October 11. With over 600 miles of trails through Macon, Jackson and Cherokee counties, there are plenty of places to hike, roads to drive and leaves to view.
Finally, many of our businesses may be shorthanded. There are a ton of reasons for that: one we think you’ll notice is that many of our family-owned, small businesses have converted a portion of their operations to helping those in need. All over Franklin and Macon County, business owners and their employees are collecting charitable donations and driving the supplies to areas in need. Please be patient. They want to serve you, and they will. More importantly, they need your business. Have a heart and relax…it’s the mountains, no need to rush.
We Need You Too
We realize the story we’re telling here may not be all “business as usual”. It’s certainly not the average “happy-go-lucky” mountain vacation we’re used to selling. But we’re here. Ready to show your friends and family a magical, mountain vacation.
Most important is that our businesses depend on you…our guests. Yes, our broader community is damaged. And yes, we are helping. And, you can help too. But as the victims of Helene, we’re here to tell you, we need you to come to our slice of heaven. We need you to help us recover.
October is one of the most important seasons for our business community. Tourism is our lifeline. And the attraction of the leaves changing to autumn colors is critical for our families to make it through the
slower winter months. If you cancel, some of our business may fail.
Bottom line, we need you to keep our local, family businesses open and thriving…and we truly want you here.
So, make a plan for a day trip, a long weekend or a long week. The mountains are still calling. Franklin and Macon County are still the heart of your adventure and the trail to your tranquility. Come Experience Franklin and what we have to offer. We can’t wait to see you.