Waynesville, NC, is about 25 miles west of Asheville, off Interstate 40 and is the largest town in Western North Carolina. Waynesville has been a popular mountain destination and retreat since the early 1800s.
Waynesville, North Carolina offers tons of outdoor adventure, being in very proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Waynesville is often called the Gateway to the Smokies), minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and just a short drive to Pisgah National Forest.
Waynesville is most well known for its quaint, almost Norman Rockwell style downtown. Downtown Waynesville, NC is the perfect place to explore gift shops, art stores, boutiques, one of a kind shops, and some fantastic food and local craft beer.
Waynesville's proximity to all the great outdoor things to do and see in Western North Carolina, combined with its wonderfully charming downtown and surrounding mountains, will have you coming back for more, and maybe not wanting to return home.
Waynesville and Maggie Valley, NC are the towns we call home, as our home and business are here, directly between the two. Welcome to our hometown!
Updated: 4/1/2025 - Linked out to our new guide on our personal picks for the best things to do in Waynesville.
Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene's wind and flood waters arrived in Waynesville on September 27, 2024. Compared to many towns, Waynesville was fortunate, but there was significant damage to many areas, and citizens lost their lives.
The main area of damage was in the historic Frog Level District, where significant flooding occurred affecting people's homes and local businesses. The frog level bridge into downtown Waynesville remains closed.
Many areas around Waynesville that were closed are now re-opening, including the Blue Ridge Parkway near Waynesville, and many portions of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
I-40, the main access highway from the west, is now open as well through the gorge into NC from Tennessee.
Where is Waynesville?
Waynesville, North Carolina, is in Haywood County, just off I-40 in Western NC, about 25 miles west of Asheville, NC, and not too far from the Tennessee border. Pisgah National Forest, The Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Parkway surround Waynesville.
Nearby is Maggie Valley NC, a small tourism town offering additional things to do and see, and the home of the now closed Ghost Town in the Key.
Our Waynesville NC Videos
Here are some of our videos featuring Waynesville:
Visit Waynesville's Annual Church Street Arts & Crafts show
Attend Waynesville's "A Night Before Christmas" event. This Holiday favorite is fun for the whole family.
Waynesville NC is well known for its small town Christmas Parade, and for good reason.
Things to do - A local's perspective
Waynesville offers the perfect mix of small-town charm and mountain adventure. Whether you’re exploring historic Main Street, hiking along scenic trails, visiting a local farm, or grabbing a bite at a cozy local restaurant, there’s always something to see and do.
You’ll find a variety of activities for every kind of traveler—families, couples, outdoor lovers, and those just looking to relax and soak in the mountain vibe.
We’ve put together a full guide featuring all the best attractions, hikes, shops, experiences, and hidden gems from a local’s perspective.
See our Local's Guide to the Best Things to Do in Waynesville
Where to stay?
Waynesville and surrounding areas offer many options for where you can stay when visiting, including:
- Cabin Rentals/AirBnBs
- Hotels
- Camping
Regardless of which option is right for you, you're sure to find something that will meet your needs AND budget. Whether you want a luxury cabin with incredible long range mountain views, a simple/inexpensive hotel close to Downtown Waynesville, or maybe that romantic hideaway for two, you'll find what you're looking for in Waynesville's accommodation options.
Cabins near Waynesville NC
Cabins are a very popular choice for those visiting the popular Western North Carolina town of Waynesville. Cabin rentals provide safe and clean accommodations with many amenities, very reasonable prices, and in various sizes to meet your family's needs.
Here are our top picks for Cabins near Waynesville NC:
Hotels in Waynesville NC
Hotels in Waynesville, NC provide many nice amenities at reasonable prices. Below are our top picks for Hotels in Waynesville. For additional lodging options, check out the hotels in nearby Maggie Valley as well.
Camping in Waynesville NC
Whether you're looking for luxury RV hookups, simple tent camping site, or just the perfect spot to relax in the hammock and chill, Waynesville NC area campgrounds provide what you're looking for. Waynesville provides a number of quiet and relaxing campgrounds where you can go to sleep with the crackling sound of a fire and wake up to hot coffee and the sounds of nature all around you.
Best Restaurants
As locals, one of our favorite aspects of living in Waynesville, NC is the great selection of top-notch restaurants. Waynesville really has an impressive list of best restaurants, that continuously seems to be growing. The variety offers lots of options for both visitors and locals to enjoy.
We enjoy eating out and supporting our local friends and business owners by dining at locally owned restaurants and food trucks. We've been in Waynesville for many years and have tried nearly all the local Waynesville restaurants several times.
We've taken all of this dining experience and have picked our favorites highlighted in our Best Waynesville NC Restaurants Guide.
History of Waynesville NC
Colonel Robert Love found Waynesville in 1810. Love was a soldier from the revolutionary war, who donated land for the public square, jailhouse, and courthouse. The town was named after Love's former commander, General Anthony Wayne. In 1871, Waynesville officially became a town.
Waynesville was also the location of a Civil War battle, and perhaps one of the most unusual in the American Civil War. On May 6, 1865, the Confederate Army attacked at White Sulphur Springs (located east of Waynesville), controlled by the Union army.
The Confederates fired the Last Shot of the Civil War, and their attack caused the Union army to retreat into Waynesville, where they were surrounded by the confederates. The next day, a surrender was negotiated because of the Civil War ending, and any further fighting would prove pointless.