Friends of Panthertown

The mission of Friends of Panthertown is to work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to conserve this outstanding natural resource while improving the quality and experience of recreational opportunities in Panthertown Valley.

Our volunteers maintain 30 miles of public trails in this treasured backcountry recreation area located in western North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest.

Our members support our conservation efforts with membership donations.

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.

The Panther’s Roar (Autumn 2019 Newsletter)

Smoky Mountain News: Panthertown selected for recreation impact intervention (November 13, 2019)

The Sylva Herald: Panthertown named a ‘Hot Spot’ for Leave No Trace program (November 6, 2019) $

The Sylva Herald: Author to discuss book on geology of Panthertown (September 4, 2019) $

The Panther’s Roar
(Summer 2019 Newsletter)

The Sylva Herald: Tuck gets Blue Trail designation (August 21, 2019) $

The Sylva Herald: Iditarod Trail Invitational Champion Pete Ripmaster to speak at benefit for Friends of Panthertown (July 17, 2019) $

Smoky Mountain News: Bears active in Panthertown (June 12, 2019)

The Sylva Herald: Controlled burns in Panthertown get a green light (June 6, 2019) $

The Panther’s Roar
(Spring 2019 Newsletter)

The Sylva Herald: Panthertown eyed anew for controlled burns (April 18, 2019) $

The Sylva Herald: Panthertown and its history: A closer look (April 18, 2019) $

Smoky Mountain News: Prescribed burn proposed for Panthertown (April 17, 2019)

Visit NC: Fun and unique camping spots in North Carolina (March 20, 2019)

Crossroads Chronicle: Panthertown pair rescued during storm (December 20, 2018) $

Crossroads Chronicle: Panthertown closing due to hurricane (September 15, 2018) $

The Panther’s Roar
(Autumn 2018 Newsletter)

Smoky Mountain News: Mandatory bear canisters proposed for A.T. campers (August 22, 2018)

Crossroads Chronicle: Sapphire audience hears presentation by star hiker (August 22, 2018) $

The Sylva Herald: Famed hiker to speak at Friends of Panthertown (August 16, 2018) $

Crossroads Chronicle: Panthertown benefit features Adventurer of the Year Davis (August 15, 2018) $

WSPA-TV: U.S. Forest Service considering making bear-proof containers mandatory for campers (August 15, 2018)

WLOS-TV: Campers could be required to use bear canisters in Pisgah, Nantahala national forests (August 13, 2018)

U.S. Forest Service: National Forests in NC Propose Required Bear Canisters for Overnight Camping on Appalachian Trail and in Panthertown (August 13, 2018)

Smoky Mountain News: Renowned adventurer to speak in Sapphire (August 8, 2018)

The Laurel Magazine: Adventurer of the Year (August 2018)

The Laurel Magazine: Jennifer Pharr Davis with Friends of Panthertown (August 2018)

Our State Magazine: Panthertown Valley Schoolhouse Falls Photo (July 2018) $

The Laurel Magazine:  An evening with Jennifer Pharr Davis (June 2018)

Smoky Mountain News: Find An Adventure on National Trails Day (May 30, 2018)

Crossroads Chronicle: Panthertown community picnic, expo set for June 2 (May 23, 2018)

Southern Living: 4 Must-See Waterfalls Are in This Southern State (May 11, 2018)

Asheville Citizen-Times: Warning: Black bears on the prowl in Panthertown (April 18, 2018)

Smoky Mountain News: Bear activity prompts warning in Panthertown (April 4, 2018)

The Panther’s Roar
(Spring 2018 Newsletter)

The Panther’s Roar
(Autumn 2017 Newsletter)

The Panther’s Roar
(Summer 2017 Newsletter)

The Sylva Herald: Friends of Panthertown to offer geology presentation (July 12, 2017) $

Smoky Mountain News: Celebrate National Trails Day with Friends of Panthertown (May 24, 2017)

The Sylva Herald: Panthertown Valley expands (May 3, 2017)

Asheville Citizen-Times: Panthertown grows with a lot of help from its friends (April 26, 2017)

The Sylva Herald: Acts of Kindness: Protecting Panthertown (April 26, 2017) $

Asheville Citizen-Times: WNC offers a trail for everyone (April 25, 2017)

Mountain Xpress: Regional land trust purchases property adjacent to Panthertown (April 21, 2017)

Smoky Mountain News: Panthertown purchase gets a boost (April 19, 2017)

Asheville Citizen-Times: Warning: Black bears on the prowl in Panthertown (April 18, 2017)

WLOS New 13: Bear encounters prompt rangers to issue warnings in WNC (April 18, 2017)

Crossroads Chronicle: Panthertown parking plan advances (April 13, 2017) $

The Sylva Herald: Panthertown Valley funding wins county board guarantee (April 5, 2017) $

Crossroads Chronicle: County should support Panthertown Valley Salt Rock entrance land buy (March 29, 2017)

Jackson County Tourism: Jackson TDA donates to Panthertown Valley property improvement (March 28, 2017)

Smoky Mountain News: Jackson considers giving toward land conservation effort (March 22, 2017)

Crossroads Chronicle: Donors sought to add to ‘crown jewel’ near Cashiers (March 22, 2017) $

The Sylva Herald: More money required to protect Panthertown Valley (March 22, 2017) $

The Laurel of Asheville: Conservation Corner: Enhancing Panthertown (February 13, 2017)

Asheville Citizen-Times: How much do you love Panthertown?
(February 3, 2017)

Asheville Citizen-Times: Panthertown Valley to grow, improve access
(February 1, 2017)

Atlanta Magazine: Your ultimate escape to the mountains: Jackson County, North Carolina
(February 1, 2017)

Asheville Citizen-Times:
A hiking gem: Prowling through Panthertown Valley
(December 14, 2016)

The Sylva Herald: Visitor center eyed for Panthertown (November 30, 2016) $

The Sylva Herald: Panthertown is unique area (November 22, 2016) $

The Sylva Herald: Panthertown history untangled (November 9, 2016) $

The Sylva Herald: Panthertown Valley is a special place indeed, and this is why (October 26, 2016) $