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Recreation Region: Nantahala Ranger District

Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area

Panthertown Valley, referred to as the Yosemite of the East, lies on the eastern continental divide in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. With more than 25 miles of designated trails in this 6,300 acre backcountry area visitors can enjoy deep gorges and broad valleys, mountain bogs and granitic rock domes, tranquil creeks and plunging waterfalls while hiking, biking, or horseback riding. Camping is permitted in Panthertown, but groups are limited to no more than 12 people per site. No commercial equestrian or mountain bike outfitter/guides are permitted.  Please be cautioned the roads to the parking areas are rough and four-wheel drive is advised.

General Information

Nantahala Ranger District
90 Sloan Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-6441

year round

None

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 35.1670759

Longitude: -83.03902681

Directions

To Salt Rock Gap trailhead parking: from the stop light in Cashiers take US 64 east for 2 miles to Cedar Creek Road

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Restrooms are not available at this site.

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

Last updated February 18th, 2025