Can you say big?  While not as large as the Redwoods in California, these hardwoods are most impressive at 20 feet around and some of the largest trees you can see in the Eastern United States. 

On our last visit we pulled into the paved parking area right around noon and were greeted by a member of the Forest Service staff under the informational pavilion.  The trail is well marked with maps readily available, so no worries if a ranger isn’t present.

The full trail is 2 miles long and made up of two primary loops that form an elongated figure eight. The lower loop is about 1.25 miles with the upper loop clocking in at .75 of a mile.  While most people head over the bridge to the left to start the trail, we prefer heading out on the right.  This is an easier incline route saving the steepest part for downhill on the way back!

The two loops intersect at the middle where you can find the official Memorial plaque to Joyce Kilmer.  He was a soldier and a poet (yes, Joyce is a dude) that was killed in action during WWI.  He wrote that poem about Trees that starts out ….. “I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree…..”

We finished the full two miles in an hour with photo op stops along the way.  It took about 35 minutes on the lower loop and 25 minutes on the upper loop.  We were walking at a pretty good clip so allow somewhere between 1- ½ hours.

You can hike all or a portion of the trail but if you want to see the big grand daddy trees, be sure to complete the upper loop called Poplar Cove.  Most of the larger trees can be viewed on this upper loop so keep going once you get to the Memorial plaque.

The trail is packed dirt with quite a few tree roots and rocks to step over. A sturdy and comfortable pair of hiking type shoes is recommended.  The views of the towering trees and lush forest undergrowth are set against the sound of babbling Lake Santeetlah Creek making for a memorable experience.

Getting There…….

There are two routes to reach the entrance of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.  Both routes are well marked, on paved two lane roads, and easily reached by motorcycle or car.  What route you take really depends on what end of Lake Santeetlah you start from. 

From Robbinsville: Head North on US 129 for about a mile then turn left onto NC 143 West.  Travel about 12 miles and take a right turn on Joyce Kilmer Road SR 1134.  Go about two miles and turn left into the forest entrance.

From The Dragon on US129:  Heading South on US 129 turn right onto SR 1134/1147 then take the next right onto Joyce Kilmer Road SR 1134 following the signs to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.  The road meanders around the west end of Lake Santeetlah for about 6 miles.  When you reach the stop sign just go straight into the entrance of the forest.  If you turn left at the stop sign (instead of going straight) and travel 2 miles you will reach NC 143 W at the start of the Cherohala Skyway.  This is a great short cut when riding back from the Dragon that takes about 8 miles total from US 129 to NC 143 and saves mileage if you don’t want to head back into Robbinsville. 

Get within 500 miles of Maggie Valley, NC and anyone that has ever been on two wheels will ask if you have seen it in person…The Wheels Through Time Museum. 

Imagine a museum that houses one of the best motorcycle collections around. Now imagine they all run. Add in more artifacts than you can imagine and you will be getting pretty close to understanding what makes the Wheels Through Time Museum so special. 

Looking for a 1918 Henderson? 1905 Yale? What about a 1908 Indian or just about every Harley ever built?

Yep, you guessed it. You will find them at the museum. 

We have been going there for years…you never get sick of it and you always find something new. Don’t be surprised to see Dale (the founder) fire up a bike and run it around the museum grounds.  In fact, I’d be surprised if didn’t!

Each year Dale and the team build (or rebuild) a bike and auction it off. This year’s is no doubt my favorite so far…a 1940 Harley-Davidson EL – 61 in. Knucklehead. I really, really, hope this is my year to win but since it is for charity I will let you in on where to still purchase raffle tickets.

Of course the museum doesn’t end at motorcycles. Cars, Ice Cutters, Snowmobiles, and what may be the first Jet Ski can all be found in this large “museum that runs.” 

Sadly, the Wheels Through Time Museum will be moving from its home in Maggie Valley out west – so if you have not stopped by yet and are going to be in the area – don’t miss it.

Getting There… 

From Robbinsville, NC: Take NC-143/Sweetwater Road and turn right onto NC-28 (8.8 miles) then left at US-74 (11.4 miles).  Travel US-74 (15.1 miles) and take the US-441N ramp towards Cherokee to US-19 (4 miles). Turn right at US-19.  Wheels Through Time is on the left 16.4 miles.

From the Blue Ridge Parkway: Take the Blue Ridge Parkway to Soco Gap (Approximate Milepost 455).  Exit the parkway onto Soco Rd / US 19 N toward Maggie Valley.  Wheels Through Time is on the left 5.4 miles.

From Asheville/Charlotte:  Take I-40 West to exit 27 onto US-74 toward Clyde/Waynesville (1.3 miles). Merge onto US-19S/US-74 W (2.7 miles). Exit onto US-19 S to Maggie Valley (6.7 miles).  Wheels Through Time is located on the right 3 miles past JCT 276 N.

Cross over the wooden bridge to reach the packed gravel parking lot for Wheels Through Time.  The address to use for online directions is 2914 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley NC 28751

You’re visiting the area and wondering, “What do I not want to miss?” Here are the top ten things to catch in the Robbinsville, NC area.

1. Lake Santeetlah – Got a week up here and need a break? Stop by Cheoah Beach or rent a boat for about $200 for four hours and head out onto lake Santeetlah. 80% of the lake is forest service protected so there are plenty of places to take a boat, let it drift, and not see a house or power line in your 360-degree view. Read More!
2. Wheels Through Time – Days are numbered as the amazing museum is moving to Arizona. Aside from hundreds of bikes and incredible memorabilia, every bike in the place runs. Want to see a 1922 Harley? Or just about every Harley for that matter? What about Evil Kenival’s bike? Want to see the furniture from which the Budweiser Eagle was created? Head over to Maggie Valley while it is still there and tell Dale we sent you! 
3. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest – Take a walk on the wild side!  Experience one of the Appalachians few remaining virgin hardwood forests with trees growing for almost 500 years to reach towering heights over 150 feet. Just a short stop away from The Dragon and Skyway, this is a great place to stretch those muscles on the breathtaking trail at the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Read More! 
4. Bald River Falls & Tellico Plains ORV – Got a 4×4? Time to hit the “off” road.   For those without a 4×4 still head up Forest Service Road 210 to see Bald River Falls, the Green Cove Camp, and the Fish Hatchery.  Just turn around when the pavement runs out at the off road entrance. Read More!
5. Rafting (seasonal) – Ok, maybe not the best thing in the dead of winter but when the water is running in the spring-summer this area turns into a hot spot for white water rafters of all levels. Check out the Nantahala Outdoor Center on US 19 for all the details on rafting the Nantahala Gorge, Cheoah River, and more.  Read More!
6. Cherokee – In addition to a great drive to Cherokee, you will find shops, Native American artifacts, and Harrah’s casino. Check out the Oconaluftee Indian Village and Mingo Falls.   You can also catch a piece of the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. 
7. Fontana Dam and Lake – Towering 480 feet high, Fontana Dam is the tallest east of the Mississippi and ranks fourth in the country. Plus what other dam has the Appalachian Trail running across the top?  Fontana Lake borders the Great Smoky Mountains and offers boating, fishing, and almost 240 miles of undeveloped shoreline. 
8. Ice Cream at “The Scoop” – Ok, maybe an odd thing to add to the list of things not to miss, but chances are you are going to be in town and who doesn’t like Ice Cream? Located in the heart of Robbinsville right on 129 (and next to the Washboard Laundromat) it is worth the stop. 
9. The Cherohala Skyway – Probably the most beautiful views anywhere of the Smoky Mountains. With over 5000 feet in elevation and plenty of scenic views you are sure to fall in love with this road. Read More! 
10. The Dragon at Deals Gap on US 129 – Probably the single most popular destination in the area, especially among car and bike enthusiasts. 318 curves in 11 miles. Need we say more? Ok, we can… Read More!

Located in the heart of Graham County, this gem appeals to boaters, swimmers, fishermen, kayakers, canoers, campers, hikers, locals, and sightseers alike.  The tranquil waters calm the soul and gently lap your worries away. 

This 2800 acre lake offers a multitude of water sports and 76 miles of shoreline. While the waters might feel a bit crisp to some (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit during my last August dip), for us this just adds to the fresh appeal.  

Surrounded by National Forest, over 80% of the Lake Santeetlah shoreline is free from private development.   It is easy to find a secluded cove where you can just let your boat drift and all you see in any direction are tree covered mountain slopes.  No houses, no docks, just nature at its finest.

Fish for record sized bass and walleye along with crappie, bream and lake trout. Head to nearby streams for fly fishing. 

If you would like to rent a pontoon boat, ski boat, or Jet Ski, we recommend Santeetlah Marina (Phone:  828-479-8180) just off  US 129.  They are a full service marina (including fuel) where we have always received friendly and honest service. 

If you aren’t seeing the lake by boat then we suggest a stop at Cheoah Beach.  Managed by the Forest Service, this area offers free access to a sandy beach, roped off swimming area, picnic tables, outdoor grills, restroom facilities, and paved parking.  

For the brave of heart there is even a rope swing tied to a tree (on the right side point of Cheoah Beach) where you can swing out over a rocky ledge and drop into the cool lake waters below.  This is NOT maintained by the Forest Service so use at your own risk and be sure to get a good run to miss the rocks!

Want to feel like a waterfront vacation owner?  Stay at a lakeside campsites at Cheoah Point Campground or one of the other facilities along Lake Santeetlah managed by the Nantahala Forest Service. 

We have enjoyed great meals and adult beverages at Blue Waters Mountain Lodge (Phone: 888-828-3978).  They are also accessible by boat with a dock on the North side close to Santeetlah Marina. 

Lake Santeetlah is one our favorite mountain lakes.  Be sure to enjoy the waters for the day or after riding or hiking the mountains! 

Getting There……. 

Lake Santeetlah can be accessed by US 129 on the North and NC 143 (aka the Cherohala Skyway) on the South.  The West side of the lake is bordered by Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and Slickrock Wilderness Area reached via Road 1134. 

To reach Cheoah Beach travel North on US 129 for about 8.5 miles from Robbinsville, NC, then left onto NC#1146, and your first left on NC#1145 Thunderbird Rd.  You will see a public boat launch on the right and the next road to the right is the entrance to Cheoah Point.

 A great introduction to river running, this 8-mile stretch on the Nantahala offers mostly Class I and II rapids with a Class III finish at the Nantahala Falls.  First time rafters and families can feel comfortable navigating this river. 

You can rent rafts, kayaks, canoes, or ducks (inflatable kayaks) from a variety of outfitters along the river. The Nantahala Outdoor Center is a popular choice with a beautiful outpost offering guided or self-guided trips, a view of the falls, a restaurant, restroom/shower facilities, and access to the Appalachian Trail for a day hike. 

The more adventurous can tackle the Cheoah River, which opens Class IV-V (out of V) rapids on specified dates coordinated with the release of waters from the Cheoah Dam. Located at the end of the famous Tail of the Dragon road, these runs are sure to provide a high adrenaline ride for experienced rafters.  Contact the Cheoah Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service at 828-479-6431 for more details on release dates. 

For a taste of Olympic Gold, just drive a bit further to the Ocoee River, home of the 1996 Summer Olympic Whitewater Slalom Races.  Winding through the Cherokee National Forest, the Ocoee River rafting is about an hour NE from Chattanooga, TN. 

Other nearby rivers offering seasonal rafting include the French Broad (NW of Asheville, NC), Pigeon River (near Gatlinburg TN), Chattooga (near Clayton, GA) and the Nolichucky (near Erwin, TN). 

Getting There… 

From Robbinsville to Nantahala Outdoor Center

• Option 1 (21 miles) – Head South on US-129
• Turn Left onto US-19/US-74
• Travel another 9.8 miles to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (on left)

• Option 2 – (25 miles) Head East on NC-143
• Turn Right onto NC-28
• Turn Right onto US-19/US-74
• Travel another 4.5 miles to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (on right)

The full Appalachian Trail runs 2175 miles touching 14 states from Georgia to Maine.  Some fulfill their lifelong dream by dedicating 6 months to complete the full trek, an estimated 5 million footsteps.

If you want a taste of what the Appalachian Trail has to offer there are many convenient access points near the Dragon on US 129.   One of the easiest is right at Fontana Dam where the trail actually traverses over the top of this tallest dam east of the Mississippi.  Another nearby section can be reached on Yellow Creek Road between US 129 and NC 28.

The Appalachian Tail intersects with Highway NC 143 at Stecoah Gap for quick access outside of Robbinsville, NC.    Further south it crosses over the Nantahala River at Highway 19/74 right at the Nantahala Outdoor Center whitewater rafting campus.

From the Smoky Mountains, through the Cheoah Bald, to the Nantahala, there is something for casual hikers to veteran ridge runners.  The mountain ranges, remote forests, and panoramic views make this section of trail truly memorable.  Be sure to experience your own piece of Trail Magic while in the area!

For maps and more great information visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.