Things To Do

Scaly Mountain is a small town located in Macon County, North Carolina, in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The area is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and charming small-town atmosphere. Scaly Mountain and the surrounding areas offer a wide variety of tourist-related activities and attractions, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a relaxing getaway in a beautiful setting.

Waterfalls: There are several waterfalls in the area, including Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Cullasaja Falls. Dry Falls is a popular spot where visitors can walk behind the waterfall and feel the mist on their faces.

Hiking: There are many hiking trails in the area, ranging from easy to strenuous. The Bartram Trail and the Appalachian Trail both run through the area, and the Nantahala National Forest offers miles of hiking trails.

Scenic Drives: The area is known for its scenic drives, including the Waterfall Byway and the Highlands Plateau Scenic Byway. These drives offer stunning views of the mountains and the surrounding countryside. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a well known drive that stretches from Virginia to North Carolina, is accessible from the area. The Parkway offers stunning views of the mountains and the surrounding countryside, as well as opportunities for hiking and picnicking.

Highlands Outpost: This fun-filled recreational facility offers a variety of activities. The center has snow tubing during the winter months, a 10,000 square foot outdoor ice skating rink, as well as other summer season and year-round attractions where visitors can ride the mountain coaster, The Scaly Mountain Screamer,  and the summer tubing slide.

Gem Mining: Visitors can try their hand at gem mining at several locations in the area. Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum offers gem mining as well as educational exhibits on geology and mining.

Highlands, NC: The nearby town of Highlands, NC is known for its shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts and the Highlands Playhouse are two popular attractions.
There are many great golf courses nearby that combine the natural beauty of the mountains with challenging play.

Sky Valley Country Club: Located in Sky Valley, Georgia, just a short drive from Scaly Mountain, the Sky Valley Country Club features a challenging 18-hole course with stunning mountain views.

Highlands Country Club: The Highlands Country Club is located in Highlands, North Carolina, and features a picturesque 18-hole course that winds through the mountains and forests of the area.

Cullasaja Club: The Cullasaja Club is also located in Highlands and offers a challenging 18-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer.

Old Edwards Club: The Old Edwards Club is located in nearby Cashiers, North Carolina, and features a beautiful 18-hole course designed by Tom Jackson.

Sequoyah National Golf Club: The Sequoyah National Golf Club is located in nearby Cherokee, North Carolina, and features a challenging 18-hole course with stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains.
There are 4WD and Jeep trails located near Scaly Mountain and Highlands, NC. Before heading out on any off-road trail, it's important to check local regulations and obtain any necessary permits or passes. Off-road enthusiasts should also ensure that their vehicles are properly equipped and that they have the appropriate gear and safety equipment. Here are a few options for off-road enthusiasts:

Nantahala National Forest: The Nantahala National Forest has several trails that are open to off-road vehicles, including Jeeps and 4WD trucks. These trails offer a range of difficulty levels and terrain types, from easy gravel roads to challenging rocky climbs.

Hurricane Creek: The Hurricane Creek Trail is a popular destination for off-road enthusiasts. This trail features steep inclines, rocky terrain, and scenic mountain views.

Blackrock Mountain: The Blackrock Mountain Trail is another popular off-road trail in the area. This trail features narrow switchbacks, steep climbs, and challenging obstacles.

Tellico OHV Area: The Tellico OHV Area is located about an hour and a half from Scaly Mountain and Highlands, but it offers a range of off-road trails and facilities for Jeep and 4WD enthusiasts. This area features trails for all skill levels, from easy gravel roads to advanced rock crawls.
There are a variety of local rivers, streams, and stocked ponds to choose from.Trout fishing is a popular activity in the surrounding areas. Here are some places where you can go trout fishing:

Chattooga River: The Chattooga River is located just a short drive from Scaly Mountain and is known for its excellent trout fishing. The river is stocked with rainbow, brown, and brook trout.

Cullasaja River: The Cullasaja River is located in Highlands, North Carolina, and is known for its wild rainbow and brown trout.

Nantahala River: The Nantahala River is located in nearby Bryson City, North Carolina, and is known for its excellent fly fishing opportunities. The river is stocked with rainbow, brown, and brook trout.

Tuckasegee River: The Tuckasegee River is located in nearby Sylva, North Carolina, and is known for its large brown and rainbow trout.

Cherokee Indian Reservation: The Cherokee Indian Reservation is located about an hour from Scaly Mountain and offers several trout fishing locations, including the Oconaluftee River and the Raven Fork River.
Gold and gem mining can be a fun and rewarding activity in the Scaly Mountain and surrounding areas, with plenty of opportunities to find valuable treasures in the streams and rivers of the North Georgia and North Carolina mountains.

Gold mining: The North Georgia mountains are known for their rich history of gold mining, and there are still several places where you can pan for gold today. The best places to try your luck include the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site and the Consolidated Gold Mine.

Gem mining: Gem mining is also a popular activity in the area, with several mines offering the opportunity to find valuable gems such as rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Some popular gem mines in the area include the Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine and the Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum.

Regulations: It’s important to note that there are regulations in place for gold and gem mining in the area, and you will need to obtain a permit before mining on public lands. Additionally, it’s important to follow ethical mining practices to protect the environment and preserve the area’s natural beauty.
Scaly Mountain and the surrounding areas are home to many notable natural mountains and landmarks. Here are a few:

Whiteside Mountain: Located near Highlands, Whiteside Mountain is a popular hiking destination that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It features the highest sheer rock face east of the Mississippi River and is a designated National Recreation Trail.

Chimney Rock State Park: Located about an hour and a half from Scaly Mountain, Chimney Rock State Park features a 315-foot granite monolith that offers panoramic views of the Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. The park also has several hiking trails, waterfalls, and picnic areas.

Cashiers Valley: Cashiers Valley is a beautiful mountain valley located near Scaly Mountain. It is known for its scenic views, waterfalls, and hiking trails, including the popular Whiteside Mountain Trail.

Dry Falls: Dry Falls is a 65-foot waterfall located near Highlands. Visitors can walk behind the waterfall and experience the rush of water as it cascades over the rocks.

Cullasaja Falls: Cullasaja Falls is a 250-foot waterfall located near Highlands. It can be viewed from the side of the road on Highway 64, which offers a scenic drive through the Cullasaja River Gorge.
The Highlands Outpost is open year-round, although the activities that are available may vary depending on the season. Visitors can purchase tickets for individual activities or choose a package that includes multiple activities. The center also has a restaurant, snack bar and gift shop where visitors can purchase refreshments and souvenirs. This is a great place to spend a day enjoying the outdoors and participating in a variety of fun activities.

Snow tubing: The center has a snow tubing hill that is open during the winter months. Visitors can rent tubes and enjoy sliding down the hill, which is covered in man-made snow.

Ice skating: In addition to snow tubing, the center also has an outdoor ice skating rink that is open during the winter months.

Gem mining: The center has a gem mining area where visitors can sift through dirt and gravel to find gems and minerals.

Fishing: The center has a stocked fishing pond where visitors can fish for trout, bass, and other species.

Hiking trails: The center has several hiking trails that lead through the surrounding forests and mountains.

Bungee trampoline: The center has a bungee trampoline where visitors can bounce and perform tricks while attached to bungee cords.

Mini golf: The center has an 18-hole mini golf course that is open during the summer months.
Highlands Aerial Park is a popular attraction located in Scaly Mtn, North Carolina, just a short drive from Highlands, NC. It is an adventure park that offers visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of aerial activities, including zip-lining, rope bridges, and a climbing tower.

Highlands Aerial Park is open from April through November, and reservations are recommended, especially during peak season. The park is suitable for visitors of all ages and skill levels, making it a great activity for families, groups, and individuals.

In addition to the aerial activities, the park also offers hiking trails and picnic areas for visitors to enjoy. The park is located in a beautiful natural setting and provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. The park is situated on over 100 acres of forest and features over 75 different aerial challenges. Visitors can choose from three different adventure packages, each of which includes a variety of activities:

Explorer Package: This package includes six zip lines, a swinging bridge, and a cargo net climb.

Adventure Package: This package includes nine zip lines, three bridges, a cargo net climb, and a rappel.

Ultimate Adventure Package: This package includes all of the activities in the Adventure Package, plus a climbing tower with four different climbing routes.

All packages include a safety briefing and equipment rental. Visitors are accompanied by trained guides who ensure that everyone stays safe and has a fun time.