Murphy, North Carolina

Murphy, North Carolina has everything a visitor can possibly want in a North Carolina mountains vacation destination. Murphy, located in Cherokee County, is located in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest, and a stone's throw away from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Once a former Indian trading post, Murphy was named after Archibald Murphey, a state legislator who gained a reputation as a big supporter of education in the Appalachian region. Of course, the surrounding area, filled with natural wonders, provides outdoor lovers an endless playground of opportunities. You can spend your days whitewater rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking, boating, swimming, snow skiing, and just about anything else you can imagine!

A rich cultural heritage permeates the mountains of North Carolina. For an up-close and personal view of how creative the people of Cherokee County are, visit the John C. Campbell Folk School, located in Brasstown, a bit east of Murphy. The school is dedicated to the teaching of traditional music, mountain crafts, and local mountain folklore. The 372 acre campus has been put on the National Register of Historic Places. During your visit, you might get to see classes in basket weaving, blacksmithing, pottery, carving, and even cloth spinning. A gift shop, selling crafts made by the local artists, has an itinerary of the day's activities. On the weekends, local performing artists can be seen in concert or in dance recitals.