Home/Communities/Haywood County

Luxury Real Estate

Haywood County, North Carolina

Service tier: Core CountiesBack to all communities

Western North Carolina's high county: Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Lake Junaluska, Clyde and Canton, with the Smokies on one side and the Blue Ridge Parkway on the other.

About Haywood County

Haywood County sits west of Asheville on Interstate 40, with Waynesville as its county seat and largest town. Founded in 1808, it covers 554 square miles and counted 62,089 residents in 2020. Roughly 40 percent of the land is public, split between Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the northwest and Pisgah National Forest to the south and east. The mean elevation is about 3,600 feet, likely the highest of any county east of the Mississippi, and several summits pass 6,000 feet: Mount Guyot at 6,621 feet, Richland Balsam on the Jackson County line, and Cold Mountain at 6,030 feet in the Shining Rock Wilderness.

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs along the county's southern rim. Its highest point, 6,053 feet at milepost 431.4 on Richland Balsam, is reached from Waynesville through Balsam Gap on US 23/74 or from Maggie Valley through Soco Gap on US 19. In the far northwest, Cataloochee Valley inside the national park holds the homesteads of a settlement of 764 people in 1900, a campground, and the elk herd reintroduced in 2001. Big Creek and Mount Sterling, about 5,840 feet on the Tennessee line, also lie in Haywood's corner of the park.

For buyers, this is a county of working towns rather than a resort, with four distinct markets. Waynesville is the center; Maggie Valley climbs toward Soco Gap and Cataloochee Ski Area; Lake Junaluska wraps a 200-acre Methodist assembly lake; and Canton, Clyde and the Bethel and Cruso valley follow the Pigeon River, with Cold Mountain above the upper valley.

Communities in Haywood County

Why Haywood County for Luxury Living

County seat Waynesville, about 30 miles west of Asheville
Mean elevation about 3,600 ft; Mount Guyot reaches 6,621 ft
Roughly 40% of the land is national park or national forest
Blue Ridge Parkway's highest point, 6,053 ft, at milepost 431.4
Cataloochee Valley: elk reintroduced in 2001, historic homesteads
Cold Mountain, 6,030 ft, rises above the Bethel and Cruso valley

Featured Areas in Haywood County

  • Waynesville
  • Hazelwood
  • Lake Junaluska
  • Maggie Valley
  • Clyde
  • Canton
  • Bethel and Cruso

Featured Properties in Haywood County

376 Wandering Trail
$3,275,000
Haywood County

376 Wandering Trail

376 Wandering Trail, Waynesville, NC 28785

MLS # 4376234

Canopy MLS
4 BD
·
4.5 BA
·
4,151 sqft
·
2.10 acres

There is a place above Lake Junaluska that changes the standard for everything below it. The air is crisp, the details immaculate and the horizon endless. This is that place. This is that home. The view corridor toward Crabtree Bald is unobstructed. Sunrise arrives here first over layered mountains seeming to rise in the distance. Sunset lingers longest framing the home in a golden silhouette. This is not a view you grow accustomed to. It is one you become a part of and one you instantly belong to. Arrival signals what is ahead. A private ornamental entrance gate and iron fencing frame vibrant gardens and an immaculate approach. A stunning paver driveway and stone steps lead to a labyrinth pathway winding through more than 250 varieties of perennial and annual flowers, anchored by a jaw-dropping waterfall feature. The landscaping here was designed with the same intention as every room inside, to perfection. The foyer opens beneath a Bohemian crystal chandelier glimmering in the sunlight. A timber frame entry with copper arch leads to an ideally sized great room with floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace crafted from hand-stacked quarried Tennessee stone. Sun Mountain knotty alder doors appear throughout, alongside barnwood floors, custom drapery, powered blinds and custom mirrors. The level of finish here is consistent and it is intentional. Gazing through sun speckled windows to the view beyond the home appears to rest among the clouds. The main residence offers three en-suite bedrooms and 3.5 baths, plus two bonus rooms used as library and office. The kitchen is appointed with Thermador appliances, and the baths are finished in Moroccan and Peruvian tile. A floor-to-ceiling stone wood-burning fireplace anchors the main living space, and a second matching fireplace anchors the screened outdoor deck just beyond it, bringing the same warmth and drama outside. Open decks across multiple elevations pull the views in from every direction. The primary suite is a world of its own with steam shower, soaking tub, double vanities and dual walk-in closets. This is the kind of suite that encourages you to linger, sunrise from bed, no apologies. Downstairs, the lower level houses two guest suites, a private lounge area with gas fireplace, a sauna and an expansive wellness porch for an outdoor Peloton ride or evening soak in the hot tub, with a private picnic spot just a stone's step away, all of it framed by the same enduring panorama that defines this property. The guest house is a second residence in every meaningful sense. One bedroom, one full bath, a kitchenette, laundry and a dedicated garage are all positioned to share the same remarkable view, with no steps throughout! For multi-generational living, extended family or long-term guests, it is a rare thing to find. A whole-house generator, a 500-gallon water tank with filtration system and a custom garage organization system with protective flooring reflect the standard to which this property has been maintained throughout. While the home benefits from city water, a private well provides additional options for efficiency and flexibility. Hop in your golf cart and ride to Lake Junaluska in minutes to enjoy seasonal events, lakeside walking trails, golf and water sports. Historic downtown Waynesville is just beyond, with exceptional dining, galleries and independent boutiques. Asheville is within comfortable reach for additional shopping, activities and air travel. Avalon is Waynesville's elite gated mountaintop community, a 400-plus-acre luxury enclave renowned for its privacy, mature hardwoods, recreational trails and timber frame pavilion, where custom homes of this caliber set the standard in Haywood County luxury real estate. Those who choose Avalon are not looking to be praised. They are looking for something real, connected and rare, and above all, on the most desired lot atop this elite enclave, this home waits to offer its next steward a well-deserved lifestyle upgrade.

Long RangeMountain(s)Year Round
View Details
820 Laurel Ridge Drive
$2,250,000
Haywood County

820 Laurel Ridge Drive

820 Laurel Ridge Drive, Waynesville, NC 28786

MLS # 4319300

Canopy MLS
3 BD
·
4 BA
·
6,155 sqft
·
0.96 acres

Architectural artistry and refined mountain living come together above the most scenic green at Laurel Ridge Country Club. Positioned over the 11th tee with panoramic mountain, golf-course, and valley views, this contemporary residence offers one of the most striking vantage points in Waynesville. Originally inspired by the Frank Lloyd Wright style, the home was re-envisioned in 2008 to honor clean lines, natural materials, and seamless connection to the outdoors while adding modern comfort and function. Walls of glass pull the landscape inward, filling the great room with natural light and framing the Blue Ridge like living art. A soaring ceiling, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, and striking architectural details create a space that feels both dramatic and deeply welcoming. Just beyond, a wide wrap-around veranda spans the length of the home—an unforgettable outdoor living environment for sunset dinners, weekend entertaining, and quiet mornings overlooking the fairway and long-range ridgelines. Designed for effortless main-level living, the primary suite provides a peaceful retreat with an adjoining bonus room currently used as a home gym. This space adapts beautifully as a private office, sitting room, Hollywood-style dressing room, or the footprint for a second spa-like bath. The kitchen is supported by both a butler’s pantry and a separate walk-in pantry, ideal for everyday life and elevated entertaining. A distinct everyday entrance and separate guest entrance add sophistication to the home’s sense of arrival. The upper level functions as a private guest wing with a second primary suite, a large loft, an office, and another ensuite guest room—perfect for extended stays and hosting with ease. Fully zoned HVAC, ample basement storage, an oversized two-car garage, a brick-paver driveway, and extensive exterior lighting reflect thoughtful planning inside and out. All of this awaits just minutes from historic downtown Waynesville, known for boutique shops, fine dining, galleries, and year-round festivals—and only about 30 minutes from Asheville, a nationally regarded destination for arts, culture, and acclaimed restaurants. A rare opportunity to own a luxury residence with sweeping mountain and golf-course views, timeless architecture, and one of the most inviting outdoor living spaces in Western North Carolina.

Golf CourseLong RangeMountain(s)Year RoundContemporaryGreen AreaOn Golf CourseViews
View Details
217 Natures Rest Lane
$1,200,000
Haywood County

217 Natures Rest Lane

217 Natures Rest Lane, Clyde, NC 28721

MLS # 4389640

Canopy MLS
2 BD
·
2 BA
·
1,369 sqft
·
21.00 acres

Some places ask nothing of you but your presence. This is one of those places. Tucked into 21 private acres along one of the area's beautiful and quietly kept corridors, this 2014 Jade Mountain home sits where the Crabtree valley folds into the edge of the Great Smokies, with long-range mountain views, a living stream with waterfalls and a stillness that settles over you the moment you arrive. The home itself was built with a reverent relationship to the land it occupies. Locust, black walnut and slippery elm harvested directly from the property move through the structure as posts, ceilings, staircases, cabinetry and trim, giving every room warmth and specificity that cannot be manufactured or sourced from a catalog. These are not accent pieces. They are the bones of the home, and they carry the particular beauty of wood that was standing on this hillside before the first shovel broke ground. The loft draws the eye upward into those same timbers, the staircase rises through them, and the kitchen cabinets carry the same quiet continuity throughout. Stained glass doors, interior trim, decking, and railings all speak the same material language, grounded, organic and unmistakably of this place. Light fills the open interior generously, moving through the home the way it moves through a well-placed window in late afternoon, warm, directional and alive. Low-VOC finishes throughout mean the interior environment is as clean and considered as the land surrounding it, the kind of air quality that registers not as a feature but as a feeling, one you notice clearly the first time you take a deep breath and realize how rarely you do that indoors. Outside, the land produces abundantly. A thriving orchard yields Asian pears, persimmons, pawpaws, blueberries, Juneberries, grapes, mulberry and more across seasons. Organic biodynamic raised beds and a dedicated greenhouse extend the growing season and the possibilities well beyond what the calendar might suggest. No pressure-treated lumber touches the garden, and locust and cypress frame the beds just as they frame the home. The 21 acres themselves are a layered habitat, creek hollows sheltering ramps, medicinals and mushrooms, open hillsides running with blackberries and raspberries in summer, ridgelines opening to Smoky Mountain views that shift with every season and every hour. Running through it all, a mountain stream with waterfalls, the kind of constant, living sound that becomes part of your daily rhythm. The infrastructure beneath all of this is equally intentional. The well taps into cool, cold mountain water that tested pristine across every primary and secondary EPA metal. Energy independence is not a goal here but a delivered reality as a 3.95-kilowatt solar array of 10 Tesla panels feeds two Tesla Powerwalls providing 27kWh of battery storage. The home carries a certified HERS Index of 59 before the solar contribution is even factored in, supported by two high-efficiency Mitsubishi mini-split heat pumps, passive solar orientation and a continuous fresh air ventilation system. All boulders on the property were sourced on site. The exterior trim is cypress, finished with a natural penetrating stain that never needs to be redone. Every detail, visible and invisible, reflects the same commitment to doing things properly and doing them once. Additional build sites on the property offer future possibilities for those who want to grow into the land over time. Waynesville, with its award-winning restaurants, galleries and vibrant small-city culture, is just a few miles away. Asheville is a comfortable 30-minute drive. But with waterfalls, endless views, sustainable harvest and a home that has been designed from the ground up to give back as much as it takes, the pull outward is easy to resist. This is rare. A property with genuine spirit, built by people who understood exactly what they were doing and why. For the buyer who has been searching for something that feels alive, welcome home.

Long RangeMountain(s)WaterYear RoundClearedCreekfrontFruit TreesGreen Area
View Details
2375 Crymes Cove Road
$735,000
Haywood County

2375 Crymes Cove Road

2375 Crymes Cove Road, Waynesville, NC 28786

MLS # 4428220

Canopy MLS
3 BD
·
3.5 BA
·
2,452 sqft
·
0.57 acres

Short drive to shopping and dinner, tee off in minutes and come home to a house where the big projects are already done. This Arts and Crafts home sits minutes from the Waynesville Inn & Golf Club and the restaurants, galleries and shops of downtown Waynesville. With Christopher Farms (a legendary local staple) just around the corner, the lifestyle here is the perfect blend of easygoing and elevated. The current owners have taken care of the heavy lifting, investing nearly $140K in updates, including a new roof, a whole-home generator, an updated kitchen, new cabinets and countertops throughout, new interior and exterior paint, new flooring, a new retaining wall creating an actual front yard and so much more! No contractors to schedule, no big punch list waiting for you. Just unpack and relax. Inside, every room feels bright, clean and ready to live in from the very first night. The great room anchors an open floor plan, with a fireplace for cold mountain evenings and an immaculately updated kitchen with an island that seats three. Two primary suites on the main level give you flexibility, and the primary bath has room to unwind with a garden tub, separate shower and double vanity. Downstairs, a recreation room and bedroom with a walk-in closet make an ideal in-law suite or guest quarters, giving visitors their own space and you yours. Outside is just as ready. The new retaining wall turned a slope into a real front yard, the landscaping is established and the rocking chair porch is waiting for your morning coffee and long views. Add a patio for company, an oversized two-car garage with freshly epoxied floors, plenty of parking and a generator that keeps the lights on when mountain weather rolls in. The work is done. All that's left is enjoying everything Waynesville has to offer.

Mountain(s)Year RoundViews
View Details
999 Coyote Hollow Road #39
$30,000
Haywood County

999 Coyote Hollow Road #39

999 Coyote Hollow Road #39, Waynesville, NC 28785

MLS # 4237184

Canopy MLS
2.21 acres

Offered below tax value, this exceptional 2.2± acre homesite in the sought-after Glens of Ironduff presents a rare opportunity to create your ideal mountain retreat. This well-established community is cherished for its peaceful surroundings, rolling landscapes, and breathtaking views, all while providing easy access to Waynesville, Asheville, and outdoor recreation. The gently sloping lot captures stunning, long-range vistas of the Ironduff Valley and the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains—without the challenge of a steep ascent. A septic improvement permit has already been obtained from Haywood County, streamlining the process for your future build. Experience the perfect balance of seclusion and convenience in one of Haywood County’s most desirable mountain enclaves.

Mountain(s)
View Details

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a home search in Haywood County?

Begin by talking through how you want to live — views, setting, acreage, and proximity to town. Jennifer Campbell-Overbeeke of Premier Sotheby's International Realty can be reached at 919.622.4082 or jennifer@jenniferCCampbell.com.

What is the home market like in Haywood County?

Western North Carolina's high county: Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Lake Junaluska, Clyde and Canton, with the Smokies on one side and the Blue Ridge Parkway on the other. Contact Jennifer Campbell-Overbeeke at 919.622.4082 to talk through current listings.

Which areas should I consider in Haywood County?

Areas to explore in Haywood County include Waynesville, Hazelwood, Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley, Clyde, Canton, Bethel and Cruso. Each offers its own setting and pace of life, and Jennifer Campbell-Overbeeke can help you compare them based on your preferences.

Ready to Find Your Luxury Home in Haywood County?

Whether you are buying or selling in Haywood County, North Carolina, it starts with a conversation. Share what you have in mind and Jennifer Campbell-Overbeeke will be in touch personally.