Jessica & Michael
Things To Do
Walking Trail
A beautiful 2.3-mile or 3.8-mile walking trail around the lake! A part of the trail even goes on the 1 lane bridge above the dam that helped create the lake!
Lake Junaluska Golf Course
Book ahead a tee-time for 9 or 18 holes walking or with a cart.
Canoe, Kayak, or Paddleboard Rentals
Get out on the water with kayak, canoe, and paddle board rentals!
Pontoon Boat Tour
Call and ask for Wilson about private boat tours. Or email Wilson at wbooth@lakejunaluska.com.
Mini Golf
Bring your kids or tap into your inner-child on this 18 hole mini-golf course!
Tennis & Pickleball
Grab a buddy and come play tennis or pickleball on the courts at the activity center next to Shackford Hall!
Shuffleboard & Cornhole
Get low-key competitive with the shuffleboard and corn-hole boards at the activity center.
Equipment Rental at Activity Center
Get a bigger group together and rent basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, volleyballs along with other recreation equipment from Lake Junaluska Outfitters near the pool.
Places of Meditation
There are 9 specific locations around the lake made for centering, meditation, and refreshment including the Junaluska cross, inspiration point, the rose walk, Biblical garden, Wesleyan Garden, native garden, butterfly garden, labyrinth, and meditation pier. Visit the website for more information about these locations.
Junaluska Library
Come visit this lush library with over 10,000 books. Books can be checked out free for up to 2 weeks. Located at the Harrell Center next to the gift shop.
Birding
Check out the website for a check-list of all the birds local to this area you might encounter on your visit!
Hiking
There are really great trials if you're willing to drive a bit. There's the Cherokee National Forrest and and the Great Smokey Mountain National Park just west of Lake Junaluska. This is a list I created of all the trails within a 40-mile radius of the lake.
Downtown Waynesville
As a quintessential southern small-town, Waynesville has unique shops, bakeries, antique and art boutiques clothing stores, and local restaurants all within walking distance of each other. Exploring downtown is a great way to get a feel for Maggie Valley and Western North Carolina culture. This cute town is about a 10-minute drive away from Lake Junaluska.
Resturants in Waynesville
There are some delicious restaurants in Waynesville, NC (10-minute drive from Lake Junaluska). We recommend making reservations at least 1 week in advance - spots fill up fast and the waits for walk-ins can be long. Some of our favorite places: * Boojum Brewery Taproom * Sweet Onion * Birchwood Hall Southern Kitchen * Frogs Leap Public House * Bocelli's Italian Eatery * Bogart's Restaurant and Tavern * Sauced - Pizza, Tacos, Taps * Watami Sushi & Noodles * Church Street Depot
Area Attractions
There are great recommendations on this website for things to do outside of the Lake such as museums, train rides, and beautiful drives.
Biltmore
The largest home in the United States, The Biltmore is a must-see in the area! You must buy tickets 7 days in advance!