Located within a two-day drive of one third of the nation’s population, Western Carolina University and its surroundings blend the best of the traditional and the new in a beautiful mountain setting. Its outstanding modern university facilities are set in the small, friendly mountain town of Cullowhee, NC. Peaceful and informal, the campus lacks crowds and traffic but offers a wealth of natural beauty and cool mountain evenings. The local countryside is full of nostalgic scenes that harken back to the early days of Appalachia, but the campus is close to four-lane roads. The nearby town of Sylva has excellent shopping, supermarkets, restaurants and medical care. The surrounding mountains present scenic wonders, outdoor sports, crafts, and traditional culture. Explore the surrounding area by visiting www.mountainlovers.com. 

Approximate auto travel time to Cullowhee is 1 hour from Asheville, NC; 3-1/2 hours from Charlotte, NC; 3 hours from Winston-Salem, NC; 3 hours from Atlanta; 3 hours from Chattanooga, TN; and 2 hours from Knoxville, TN. 

Weather:  Mother Nature loves dulcimers but also likes to make our beautiful mountains green by sending us rain. Sometimes we have no rain in the mountains for weeks, or it can rain for days - probably just like where you live - so bring along an umbrella.
 
Clothing:  Informal, and comfortable shoes are recommended.
 
Getting Around Campus: Norton Residence Hall, our classrooms, and our meals at the university dining hall are all on the lower level of campus. To view an interactive campus map, click here.

Parking: We give a lot of attention to accommodating everyone’s mobility status around campus, and while some folks like to walk, driving, carpooling and our free shuttle buses are options for others. There is parking behind and next to our locations. As you know, universities are designed for college-aged populations and do not have an abundance of Handicapped parking spaces. If you are handicapped the shuttle buses may be the ideal solution for you because they pick you up and deliver you door-to-door.