Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re visiting for a peaceful walk, bike ride, Forest Therapy experience or family outing, the Jackson County Greenway offers a welcoming outdoor space for visitors of all ages and abilities.
An Accessible Greenway for Everyone
The Jackson County Greenway is designed to be enjoyed by everyone. Its wide paved trail, gentle grades and accessible amenities make it one of the most welcoming outdoor recreation destinations in Western North Carolina. The Greenway is also home to the first all-accessible Certified Forest Therapy Trail in the United States.
- 10-foot wide paved asphalt trail
- Accessible parking
- Relatively flat trail with a 5’ elevation gain over the length of the trail
- Accessible pit toilets
at both trailheads - Benches throughout the Greenway
- Suitable for wheelchairs
- Walker friendly
- Mobility scooter friendly
- Stroller friendly
- Self-guided Forest Therapy brochures available at each trailhead
Everyone Belongs Outdoors
We are committed to creating welcoming outdoor spaces where people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can connect with nature, recreation and one another.
Trail Amenities
Accessible Restrooms
Accessible pit toilets are available at both trailheads.
Parking
Convenient parking at both Greenway entrances.
Bicycle Repair Station
Repair, adjust or inflate your bike at this Rotary Club of Sylva-sponsored repair station before continuing your ride.
Benches
Rest and enjoy scenic views along the trail.
River Access
Enjoy fishing, paddling or simply relaxing beside the Tuckasegee River.
Pet Waste Stations
Help keep the Greenway clean for everyone.
Trash & Recycling
Convenient receptacles located throughout the Greenway.
Mile Markers
Track your distance as you walk, run or ride.
Community Features
Mountain Bike Skills Park
The Greenway is home to a kids’ mountain bike skills park developed and maintained by the Nantahala Area Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA), a nonprofit dedicated to promoting and maintaining mountain biking trails in Western North Carolina. Riders can explore a singletrack trail, pump features, rock gardens, log skinnies and other technical obstacles designed to build confidence and improve bike handling skills.
Fitness Trail Station
Enhance your walk with a stop at the Greenway’s outdoor fitness station. Designed for bodyweight exercise and functional movement, it’s a great way to build strength, improve balance and stay active while enjoying nature.
Learning Pavilion
Nestled beneath a canopy of mature trees, the Rotary Club of Sylva Learning Pavilion is a welcoming outdoor space for classes, workshops, guided walks and community gatherings. The spacious deck features built-in bench seating with plenty of room for groups to spread out, creating the perfect setting for learning, connecting and enjoying the natural beauty of Jackson County.
Little Free Library
Take a book, leave a book or discover your next great read at the Greenway’s Little Free Library. Visitors are welcome to borrow, share and exchange books while enjoying the peaceful surroundings, making every visit an opportunity to connect with both nature and community.
Life Jacket Borrow Station
Planning to enjoy the Tuckasegee River? The Greenway’s life jacket loaner station provides free life jackets to help promote safe paddling and river recreation. Borrow one for your adventure and return it when you’re finished so others can use it too.
Boat Ramp
Launch your kayak, canoe or paddleboard and explore the scenic Tuckasegee River from the Greenway’s convenient public boat ramp. It’s the perfect starting point for a peaceful paddle, a day of fishing or simply enjoying the natural beauty of Jackson County.
Picnic Areas
Whether you’re enjoying lunch after a walk, meeting friends or simply taking in the scenery, the Greenway offers several picnic areas to relax and unwind. Choose from covered picnic tables for shade or creekside tables where you can enjoy the peaceful sounds of the water.
Things to Do
Walking
Biking
Birdwatching
Fishing
Paddling
Photography
Forest Therapy
Walking
Your Dog
Family
Outings
The Greenway’s accessible design, natural beauty and river setting make it a destination for recreation, wellness and relaxation.
Know Before You Go
Hours
The Greenway is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Pets
Dogs are welcome on leash.
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes, water, sunscreen, camera or binoculars, fishing gear, bicycle and your sense of adventure.
Help Protect the Greenway
Stay on designated trails, leave no trace, dispose of pet waste properly and respect wildlife and fellow visitors.
Forest Therapy Trail
Experience the first all-accessible Certified Forest Therapy Trail in the United States.
Unlike a typical hike, Forest Therapy encourages visitors to slow down, notice the sights and sounds around them and reconnect with nature through guided sensory invitations.
- Pick up a printed self-guided brochure at either trailhead
- Access the digital brochure before arriving
- Follow QR code prompts throughout the experience
- Explore at your own pace