Take a Self-Guided Tour Through the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina

Blink, and you’ll miss it: colorful quilt trails weaving through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. With over 300 brightly painted squares adorning barns, businesses, and homes across nine counties, these hidden gems embody the region’s history and culture, beckoning explorers to uncover the stories behind each bespoke design.

“A lot of people have seen the quilts, but they don't realize that there is a trail,” says Danna Kelly Bohnhoff, volunteer studio coordinator for Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina. “The quilt squares help tell stories, memorialize places and people, or showcase something special to the region.”

The first quilt trail began in Adams County, Ohio, in 2001 when Donna Sue Groves hung a painted quilt on her barn to honor her mother and Appalachian roots. What started as a personal project quickly evolved into one of the fastest-growing grassroots public arts movements in the U.S., spreading across 48 states over two decades. Inspired by the movement’s success, North Carolina began developing the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina program in 2008, starting with Mitchell and Yancey counties. Launched by Toe River Arts Council and led by Burnsville quilter Barbara Webster, Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina transitioned to new management in 2019 and has since become a vital component of the programming at the Haywood County Arts Council. Today, a dedicated group of volunteers preserves the tradition of handcrafting exterior quilt blocks, gathering weekly at Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.

As the quilt trails have grown, so has the number of sightseers eager to learn about the region’s heritage. Despite a dip in visitors since Hurricane Helene, Danna hopes warm weather in spring 2025 and recent program initiatives will attract tourists back for self-guided tours. A new brochure provides a comprehensive but user-friendly map of Haywood County’s five quilt trails; brochures are available at the Visit Haywood Welcome Center, the Quilt Block Studio at Folkmoot Friendship Center, and the Haywood Handmade Gallery.

For a guided experience, mark your calendars for May 3, 2025, when the Haywood County Arts Council will host the Quilt Trails Bus Tour as part of the Appalachian Heritage Festival. The $35 ticket includes scenic views, free tours of the Shelton House, refreshments, and a celebration of the region's cultural tapestry. Register or learn more about the bus tour here.

If you can’t attend the tour, take a mini virtual tour of Haywood County’s quilt trails by exploring the stories behind the 10 quilt squares below.

Waynesville

Our tour begins in Waynesville, the county seat of Haywood County and the largest town in North Carolina west of Asheville. Stop at the Haywood Handmade Gallery at Haywood County Arts Council and grab a Quilt Trails map before heading out for a one-of-a-kind scavenger hunt.

Welcome Home, Andon-Reid Inn Bed and Breakfast

Constructed in 1902, the Andon-Reid Inn Bed and Breakfast is a charming historic property just over half a mile from downtown Waynesville. With its large windows, high ceilings, and beautiful mountain views, the Inn is conveniently situated between Asheville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Adopt Me, Animal Hospital of Waynesville

Find this adorable quilt square hanging above the entrance to the Animal Hospital of Waynesville, a full-service hospital for every kind of pet. One look at their quilt square will have you wishing for a critter of your own.

Maggie Valley

Next, head to Maggie Valley, a now-famous resort community named after Maggie Mae Setzer, a blue-eyed, blonde-haired girl whose father established the isolated settlement’s first post office in 1904 and named it after his shy daughter.

Cardinal, Cardinal Inn

Move on to the renovated Cardinal Inn, a family-owned boutique motel in the heart of Maggie Valley. As you pass the Inn, look for the state bird featured on a quilt square. Common in North Carolina, cardinals are easy to spot due to their bright red plumes.

Little Red School House, Maggie Valley Town Hall

The quilt square at Maggie Valley Town Hall features a charming red schoolhouse, symbolizing simpler times in rural America. Housed in the historic building that once served as Maggie Elementary School, the Town Hall has represented the town's rich heritage since becoming a governmental body in 1974.

Fines Creek & Jonathan Creek

Driving east from Maggie Valley, sightseers will pass through Fines Creek and Jonathan Creek townships. Before European colonization, the area was inhabited by the Cherokee people and other Indigenous tribes.

Mountain Visa, Private Residence (331 Everview Ln.)

The stunning view behind the residents’ house inspired this colorful quilt square. To discover the square and take in the breathtaking mountain vistas, head north into the scenic rural areas of Fines Creek and Jonathan Creek.

Log Cabin, Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm

Head to family-owned Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm to find your next quilt square, a cozy log cabin design that graces one of nine log cabins on the 130-acre patch of land just outside Maggie Valley and Waynesville.

Clyde

East of Maggie Valley lies Clyde, a sleepy bedroom community with agricultural roots. In the 1900s, it was touted as a health resort and became a summer hotspot for visitors from western and southern states.

Little Red School House, Haywood Institute

Although there are no duplicate designs on the Quilt Trails, this square closely resembles the quilt block honoring the former elementary school building now occupied by the Maggie Valley Town Hall. This particular block pays tribute to the former location of Haywood Institute, which was established in 1910.

Leadership, Windy Hill/Depot Street/The Village

This block commemorates the site of Clyde’s original Town Hall and is dedicated to the memory of A. Roland Leatherwood, who devoted 15 years to serving as an alderman and 21 years as mayor. The site is now home to the Windy Hill/Depot Street/The Village apartment complex.

Canton

Continuing east from Cylde, you’ll encounter Canton, the second-largest town in Haywood County. Located just 20 miles from Asheville, the historic mill town boasts a charming downtown characterized by architecture from the early 1900s.

Inspire, Haywood County Public Library, Canton Branch

For inspiration, visit the charming quilt square at the Canton branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Featuring a butterfly—a symbol of freedom and transformation—it perfectly represents the exciting journeys that await within the library's doors.

Cold Mountain Quilt, Cold Mountain Art Collective

The quilt square at Cold Mountain Art Collective showcases the region's renowned Blue Ridge Mountain range. Situated in downtown Canton, this community pottery studio and art gallery remains a source of inspiration for local artists, even after Hurricane Helene significantly damaged their equipment. You can support Cold Mountain Art Collective here.

Haywood County Arts Council: Website | Instagram | Quilt Trails | Register for the Bus Tour