Welcome to Asheville

SWAIN COUNTY

County Offices
101 Mitchell Street
Bryson City 828-488-9273
www.swaincountync.gov

Chamber of Commerce
210 Main Street
Bryson City 828-488-3681
www.greatsmokies.com

Newcomers to Swain County will have the advantage of living in one of the nation’s premier areas for outdoor recreation. Close-knit communities with a warm, friendly spirit and beautiful surroundings add up to an outstanding quality of life.

Services
State-of-the-art healthcare services are as close as Bryson City for Swain County residents, who are well-served by the WestCare Health System. In addition to Swain County Hospital, Bryson City is home to the WestCare Medical Park, where physicians who represent major specialties meet most routine needs. The 48-bed acute-care hospital maintains a 24-hour emergency room and a staff of physicians around the clock but also provides many medical and surgical specialties on a weekly basis. WestCare delivers advanced and routine healthcare services to more than 80,000 patients in four Western North Carolina counties. The system provides another full-service hospital in Sylva, several medical centers, a 100-bed skilled nursing center, and Mountain Regional Cancer Centers with the latest in radiation therapies.

Parents will be pleased to know that Swain County residents are strong supporters of a quality education system and take great pride in the academic and athletic successes of local students. The per-pupil expenditure ranks 14 out of 115 North Carolina public school districts, evidence of the commitment to modern classrooms and dedicated staff members. Private schools are available for those who prefer alternative learning environments and the options for higher education within a short commute are excellent. Nearby Sylva is home to Southwestern Community College, an institution that also provides learning opportunities at its Almond Center in Swain County. Bryson City is only a 45-minute drive from the sprawling campus for Western Carolina University.

Lifestyle
With its appealingly mild four-season climate and breathtaking scenery, Swain County is an outdoor enthusiast’s ideal. Home to large expanses of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the county is uniquely located to allow quick access to some of the largest expanses of unspoiled wilderness in America. The park’s highest peak, Clingmans Dome, combines with the Nantahala River for whitewater rafting and shimmering Fontana Lake as natural attractions. Cascading trout streams, biking and hiking trails, scenic mountain roadways, historic train rides, and the southern leg of the Blue Ridge Parkway are all part of the kaleidoscope of Swain County features. At the same time, exciting urban centers like Asheville, Knoxville, and Atlanta are within an easy driving distance for entertainment and day trips.

Nearby cultural centers range from college campuses with their fine array of visual and performing arts to the rich heritage of the Cherokee Indians at Saunooke Village in Cherokee, North Carolina. Some will enjoy the Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery with its colorful displays, while others may prefer the bright lights and excitement of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. Day trips from Swain County’s centralized location include Asheville, Gatlinburg, Cades Cove, Joyce Kilmer Forest, Cherohala Skyway, Chimney Rock, and scenic backroads. The Mountain Farm Museum in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers special events and combines historic farm buildings with gardens, orchards, and a scenic riverfront walking trail. The county maintains an active recreation department with year-round programs for all ages. The indoor recreation center offers meeting rooms, sports courts, free weights, a playground, a swimming pool, and skateboarding areas. Special events and holiday festivals dot the calendar with opportunities to gather with friends and neighbors for an old-fashioned good time. One-of-a-kind crafts, original artwork, and wonderful antiques are all waiting for the savvy shopper, who can also tour artisan’s studios to watch the masters at work. With its distinctive rural character and world-class recreational opportunities, it is little wonder that Swain County is growing in popularity as a place to call home.

Bryson City
City Hall
828-488-3335
www.brysoncitync.gov

Chamber of Commerce
828-488-3681
www.greatsmokies.com

Featured in the book, “100 Best Outdoor Towns,” Bryson City serves as the county seat of government and the hub of a vast rural area. Bryson City is the center of recreational opportunities, including biking and hiking trails or rolling rivers for kayaking, canoeing, and tubing. Hospitality plays a role in the small city’s character, adding quaint shops, recreational services, fine art galleries, and antique dealers to the mix of local businesses. Everything from primitive campsites to elegant hotels are available to accommodate visitors and vacationers. Residents are fortunate to be minutes away from wonderful natural preservations that include the world-famous Appalachian Trail and the Tsali recreation area. Nearby Cherokee adds cultural and entertainment attractions from a fine arts and heritage museum to a wildly popular casino. Small in size but proud in stature, Bryson City is a highly developed community that serves as an urban center to a regional rural population.