YOUR Canton NC TRAVEL GUIDE
ultimate mountain playground
A mill town renaissance
There’s no place like Canton, NC, a historic papertown turned neighborhood on the rise. Explore a revitalized downtown area surrounded by world-class hiking and mountain biking trails.
Find your new favorite place
Things to do
Take a swing, hike a trail, and paddle it out
Slip into the cool waters of the Pigeon River or reel in a fresh trout. Hike to 6,000ft views, race down mountain biking trails, or shoot for a hole-in-one. Visit a local market or family-owned farm for a look into how its made.
places to stay
Sleep under the stars
Cozy up in a cabin, cottage, or treehouse in Canton NC, where an inviting downtown meets outdoor adventure. Hiking trails are just a short drive away, and riverfront stays offer a perfect place to unwind beneath an open sky.
Shopping
Everything you didn’t know you needed
Canton’s shops offer a variety of eclectic one-of-a-kind finds you wouldn’t find anywhere else. From hand poured candles and vintage records to local art and graphic novels, there’s no shortage of quirky finds here.
Explore more mountain towns
Once you’ve explored Canton, Haywood’s hub for outdoor recreation, venture beyond and discover four more Appalachian gems, each with its own rhythm, stories, and mountain charm.
Sep 17 → Oct 29Mill Town Farmers MarketHeld Thursdays from 4pm-7pm at the Sorrells Street Park in downtown Canton, the Mill Town Farmers Market celebrates Haywood County’s local farmers and artisans. Browse handcrafted wood carvings, metal work, and pottery to spruce up your living space, pamper yourself with botanical skincare and perfumes, and stock your pantry with locally grown produce, farm-fresh dairy, homemade jams, baked goods, and much more! Enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, and sip on a fresh lemonade while you browse.
Sep 25 → Nov 27Mill Around TownSet in Haywood's historic mill town, the monthly Mill Around Town event sees downtown Canton come alive with an extended evening of shopping, dining, deals, and entertainment. On the final Friday of each month, "mill" around to the record store, pottery studio, fly fishing shop, cafe, trendy boutique, bookshop, dark-academia flower shop, and more against a backdrop of live music and fun activities. Mill Around Town is free to attend, but supporting local businesses with purchases is encouraged.
Oct 10Papertown Trail Races 2026Take on the Papertown Trail Races for a scenic run through the mountains' best fall colors display at the beautiful Chestnut Mountain Nature Park! Run a 10K along the "short race" or challenge yourself to the longer 9-mile course. The Nature Park is a mixture of hard-packed mountain biking routes and narrower hiking trails. The top 10 male and female finishers will each receive a prize. Registration is required by October 8, 2026. Sign up to run at the linked page!
Canton NC EVENTS
History in the making
Attend the longest-running festival in the Southeast, shop local markets, move to the beat at music festivals, and take on trail challenges.
