Parks & Recreation | Jackson County | North Carolina

Family Campouts

  • Throughout the year our goal is to provide basic camping experiences to families in our community. We organize overnight camping at Ralph J. Andrew Campground on beautiful Lake Glenville. All of our campouts are centered around providing a simple way for families to enjoy the outdoors. We provide everything a family of four would need to eat for dinner and breakfast the following day. This makes camping much easier for parents with children, who want to get out and relax, while enjoying the outdoors. 
  • Camping equipment may be reserved at some additional cost and pre-registration is required.
  • Additional cost required for registering more than four people. (Up to six per site)

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)

  • What's SUP!? Join us on the water and learn! Our Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP) trips are offered throughout the warm months of May - August. Each trip will be fully guided on flat, calm waters for all levels of paddlers. However, our SUP adventures do have some prerequisites to be eligible to participate. Some of those include: breathing independently, ability to hold your breath underwater, ability to hold your head upright without support, manage personal care and mobility independently, ability to get on and off of the paddle board independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance from instructor, ability to follow instructions, ability to comprehend hazards and safety concerns, ability to swim independently in deep waters, and the ability to have fun. Our SUP courses are open to ages 10 and Up. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information about costs, trips locations, transportation, equipment, and instructors please call 828-293-3053 ext. 9 and speak with Trevor Brown. 

Friday Night Ski/Snowboarding

  • During the winter months starting in December, we start our group sales for Cataloochee Ski Resort in Maggie Valley, NC to enjoy a night session on the snow. Our program offers an experience for all levels of skiers and boarders. We offer great group rates for lift tickets and rental equipment.To receive the group rates, we must have a minimum of 15 people registered. Early registration is required for all trips. We meet at 5:30pm at Cataloochee Ski Area. 2024 Friday Night Ski & Snowboard Flyer

Ski/Snowboard Lessons

  • Downhill Ski/Snowboard Lessons are open to everyone ages 8 and above. The Parks and Recreation Department partners with Cataloochee Ski Resort in Maggie Valley to offer participants the opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard at a discounted rate. Lessons are taught on Sunday afternoons in January and February for 5 weeks. Your lift ticket is valid from 12:30-4:30pm and lessons are taught from 1:30-3:00pm. If you have never skied or snowboarded or just want to brush up on some new tricks, the Cataloochee Ski School has an instructor just for your skill level. Participants must provide their own transportation to and from the Ski Resort. Ski / Snowboard Lessons Flyer

Canoe/Kayak Trips

  • During the spring, summer, and fall months we plan to provide multiple opportunities for individuals and families to experience flatwater canoeing and kayaking on lakes in our area. We will plan trips on various lakes - Bear Creek Lake, Cedar Cliff, Wolf Creek Lake, and more! All equipment is provided. Spaces are limited for each trip; pre-registration is required.


Wilderness First Aid

  • Wilderness First Aid is a 2-day class for avid hikers, guides, trip leaders, and leaders on 1-2 day outings far from definitive medical care. If you plan to spend time in the back country you need to be prepared for the unexpected. This class will introduce you to techniques used to care for the ill or injured when far from definitive medical care. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. At the end of the course, you'll have the knowledge, skills and ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations.

Adventure Camps

  • Throughout the year we will provide week long adventure camps for children between the ages of 10 and 15. Our camps will vary depending on the weather. Camps may include activities like stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, canoeing, indoor rock climbing, whitewater rafting, snorkeling, swimming, and so much more! Camps are limited to (8) campers. 

Youth Fishing

  • Our youth fishing programs are offered throughout the year in various locations. We aim to teach children how to use simple fishing equipment, tie knots, and experience different fishing techniques. Fishing poles and bait will be provided for all children registered for our programs. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. 

Archery - Youth & Adult

  • Our youth and adult archery programs will be focused on teaching the basic skills of beginner archery. These program will get youth and adults shooting recurve and compound bows safely and confidently, with the knowledge to improve their shot as far as they want to progress. We go over range safety, different types of bows, parts of the bow and arrow, range procedures and commands, the ten steps of shooting, arrow retrieval and overall basic knowledge to operate safely on a range or at home shooting a bow and arrow.
  •  (Archery Range Hours/Procedures/Costs) (Archery Rules) (Archery Course)


© Jackson County Recreation Center/Website by Hazel Digital Media