Welcome to Asheville

HAYWOOD COUNTY

County Offices
215 North Main Street
Waynesville 828-452-6734
https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
28 Walnut Street
Waynesville 828-452-6625
www.haywood-nc.com

Services
With a 546-square mile radius and a population of about 57,000, Haywood County is the third largest county in western North Carolina after Buncombe and Henderson Counties. Haywood County is located only 20 minutes west of Asheville, NC and 20 minutes east of Cherokee, NC.

The county is home to outstanding medical facilities, including the 184 bed Haywood Regional Medical Center. The county offers excellent educational facilities, with higher education needs served by Haywood Community College. Offering more than 55 programs including the only fish and game wildlife program in North Carolina, Forest Management Technology, Pulp and Paper Technology and a four-year program in Professional Crafts that includes clay, fiber, jewelry and wood. Within a 30 minute drive, residents can also attend Western Carolina University and the University of North Carolina at Asheville, both highly accredited universities.

Quality of Life
The Blue Ridge Parkway winds its way around the county with four entrances to this scenic byway and its many hiking, viewing and picnic spots along the way. Haywood County is home to part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most visited National Parks in the U.S. The area has recently been designated a Blue Ridge Heritage area and is well known for its creativity in arts and crafts.  Fourteen peaks in the Great Smoky Mountains soar to elevations of at least 6,000 feet and the county is one of the highest, with a mean elevation of 3,600 feet. The county is also near the Nantahala Mountains. The Nantahala National Forest at 516,000 acres is North Carolina’s largest national forest it is also home to the Nantahala River Gorge, a nine-mile stretch of the Nantahala River, which offers great opportunities for whitewater rafters.

All of this spectacular outdoor space combined with great year round weather, make Haywood County a great place to call home. The small towns and scenic roadways add to the feeling of living in and around nature.

Town of Canton
Town Hall
828-648-2363
www.cantonnc.com

Chamber of Commerce
828-456-3021
www.haywood-nc.com

Canton is nestled among five hills along the banks of the Pigeon River in the mountains of Western North Carolina. With a moderate climate and four distinct seasons, Canton offers residents and visitors a wonderful choice of recreational opportunities. Canton is near major highways and within easy driving distance of the regional airport. Canton’s beautiful residential communities lie along tree-lined streets in this quaint town. Hiking and nature trails and superior trout and bass fishing are a part of the nearby National Forest. The two most visited national parks; Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway are nearby. The location of Canton provides a safe and friendly atmosphere for families. With a low crime rate and high quality primary and secondary education available. Canton boasts a historic downtown area that adds to the small town flavor of the area. Best of all Canton is short drive from all of the amenities that Asheville has to offer.  This provides a quiet small-town atmosphere while at the same time offering all the conveniences of living near a larger city.

Town of Clyde
Town Hall
828-627-2566
www.townofclyde.com

Chamber of Commerce
828-456-3021
www.haywood-nc.com

Clyde was founded in 1877. It was formed by the merging of three existing towns. The first settlers of Clyde engaged in agricultural pursuits and in raising live stock.  Many of the early settlers tilled the soils and raised cattle.  Today the town of Clyde has a population of just over 1300 people. It is a bedroom community of metropolitan Asheville, with residents living in Clyde and working in other areas. It is a  close knit community with a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Clyde has the small town feel that its residents love and visitors look for. Today Clyde is beginning a downtown revitalization that will enhance its attractiveness to locals and newcomers. The town’s proximity to Asheville and the recreational opportunities of the Haywood County make it an ideal place to call home.

Town of Maggie Valley
Town Hall
828-926-0866
https://maggievalleync.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
828-926-1686
www.maggievalley.org

Maggie Valley, situated in the Smoky Mountains, is known for its unrivaled location and friendly, small town character.  Maggie Valley was named after a child – the young daughter of the community’s first postmaster.  The town covers a valley floor with areas of development in all directions. The town is built in a nearly linear way along the length of U.S. Route 19 (Soco Rd.) which goes through town and winds through the valley on its climb up the mountains that surround the town. The area is surrounded by four counties; Buncombe to the East, Mountains to the northeast, Transylvania to the south and Jackson to the west. And just 25 miles to the west of Maggie valley is the Tennessee State Line. The Pisgah National Forest, Sliding Rock Wilderness Area, and The Great Smoky Mountain National Park offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities that are open for residents and visitors alike to use and enjoy the beauty of nature. More than 24 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway lie within three miles from the Town’s eastern boundary. Maggie Valley is home to a nationally recognized golf course with four other challenging and scenic courses located close by. The Cataloochee Ski area was the first ski resort in North Carolina. It has eight slopes and sits on top of Fire Top Mountain at an elevation of 5,400 feet. The Ghost Town amusement center is also located in Maggie Valley. This nationally known western theme park draws thousands of visitors each year.

While Maggie Valley is best known for its scenery, tourism and it’s amazing valley floor location, it is also a great place to call home. Its residents have a strong sense of local pride and civic mindedness. They enjoy year round what seasonal visitors only see for short periods of time and enjoy a relaxed quality of life that is unsurpassed.

Town of Waynesville
Town Hall
828-452-2491
www.townofwaynesville.org

Chamber of Commerce
828-456-3021
www.haywood-nc.com

Waynesville is Haywood County’s oldest town and it is the Haywood County Seat, it has been a local mountain getaway for more than 100 years. Visitors go to Waynesville for the cool, clean air, clean water, outstanding scenery and an excellent outdoor lifestyle. Waynesville is a magnet for vacationers and residents looking for small town charm. And for its population of more than 9,000 residents, it is a stunning setting to call home. With its old buildings, brick sidewalks, galleries, Great restaurants and old-time general store you will be transported back to a more relaxed time. The town boasts great arts and entertainment opportunities as well. With several golf resorts and golf courses to choose from, all in the lush green mountains, golfers will find a course to suit their desires. And with the nearby proximity of all of the Great Smoky Mountain parklands, outdoor recreational opportunities are endless, including biking, hiking, fishing, camping and even rafting. The housing choices in Waynesville are varied and include everything from apartments to country homes, with the single family home being the predominant choice for most residents. Waynesville is a great example of small town America, with strong civic pride, local involvement of residents and a strong sense of its history. Combine these items with the available amenities and the reasonably close proximity to Asheville and you have the makings of a great place to call home.