View of Sams Knob from Cold Mountain in Haywood County

Haywood County, the third largest in Western North Carolina, is also the highest in elevation.  The Great Smoky Mountains are found in Haywood County, as well as a part of the most visited national park in the Country, the great Smoky Mountain National Park.  Haywood's municipalities include the county seat, Waynsville (www.townofwaynesville.org), Maggie Valley (www.townofmaggievalley.com), Clyde (www.townofclyde.com), and Canton (www.cantonnc.com).  Haywood County (www.haywood-nc.com) could be unofficially known as the log home capital of WNC. The mountains of Haywood attract visitors who often return as retirees or vacation home owners who want their own “cabin in the woods”. It’s no wonder that real estate, tourism, and construction have become some of the strongest economic bases for Haywood County. As the county has become popular with non-native “Haywoodians” the county’s economic base is moving from its historical base of agriculture and manufacturing.