Places to stay near attractions in Waynesville / Lake Junaluska

Waynesville, North Carolina is the seat of Haywood County and the largest town in the county — the only county in the U.S. entirely enclosed by 6,000-foot peaks. Founded in 1809 and named for Revolutionary War general Anthony Wayne, its 8-block Main Street is the busiest small-town downtown between Asheville and the Smokies, packed with galleries, the Mast General Store, Frog Level Brewing, and the annual Church Street Art & Craft Show (October) and Folkmoot international dance festival (July).

Just north of town, Lake Junaluska is the historic 200-acre summer conference center of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church, established in 1913, with a paved 2.3-mile shoreline walking loop, a rose garden, and public swimming. Waynesville is also the closest town to Cold Mountain (the setting of Charles Frazier's novel and the 2003 film) and to the Shining Rock Wilderness area of Pisgah.

The Blue Ridge Parkway crosses just south of town at Balsam Gap (Milepost 443) and climbs toward Mount Pisgah, making Waynesville one of the most convenient Parkway base towns for travelers combining town amenities with high-country driving.