Clyde is a resilient small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Clyde offers natural beauty and seclusion in the mountains west of Asheville. The Haywood County community, between Canton and Waynesville, is still recovering after a devastating blow from Hurricane Helene in September 2024. “The Pigeon River runs through Clyde, so it was greatly affected—not just a home or two—it wiped out many,” says David Willett, a Haywood County native and Realtor with Re/Max Executive. However, Willett says most people searching for a home here focus north of the town proper.
The beautiful landscape, abundant outdoor adventure and access to Interstate 40 are plusses. Like much of Haywood County, the economy here is largely rooted in agriculture, with a patchwork of row crops and pastures quilting the land. Willett describes the town as a “flow-through community” as residents typically commute to other towns and cities for work. The local school system, the hospital and the community college are the largest employers in town.
Properties range from bungalows to sprawling custom mountain homes
Most single-family homes here are hugged by farms or hidden along winding mountain roads. Architecture is diverse, ranging from log cabins and A-frames with stunning views to farmhouses and custom contemporary designs on several acres. Split-levels, ranch-style homes and bungalows sit close to the town center. The median price for a single-family home is around $400,000, slightly below the national median. Most homes fall between $220,000 and $625,000. However, large custom properties in the Crabtree area can range from $720,000 to $920,000. Townhouses are also available starting around $275,000 and reaching up to $345,000.
Outdoor adventure includes tubing down the Pigeon River
Set in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, this community offers plenty of outdoor opportunities. Hiking trails, such as those in the Harmon Den Wildlife Management Area, reward visitors with scenic views. Harmon Den, part of the expansive Pisgah National Forest, is also a favorite for horseback riding, fishing and camping. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail meanders along the Tennessee border on the northern edge of Clyde. Tubing is a beloved pastime along the Pigeon River. Nearby, hotels and inns dot Lake Junaluska, a popular vacation destination. The lake, less than 4 miles from the town limits, offers boating and fishing. The public Lake Junaluska Golf Course offers an 18-hole course next to the water. The town park offers a shady spot for picnics and family gatherings, while Lynn’s Park features a playground.
The largest public school district west of Buncombe County
Haywood County Schools earns a B-plus overall rating from Niche. The district has about 6,500 students across 15 schools, making it the largest school district west of Asheville. The A-minus-rated Riverbend Elementary serves most of Clyde. Students can move on to the B-plus-rated Waynesville Middle and the B-minus-rated Tuscola High. The town proper is zoned for the B-rated Clyde Elementary, the B-plus-rated Canton Middle and the B-rated Pisgah High. The district’s application-only Haywood Early College, which earns an A-minus, is on the campus of Haywood Community College.
U.S. Route 23 offers coffee, produce and Southern-style meals
Railroad tracks slice through the center of town, once a key train stop for the cattle trade. Today, the four-lane U.S. Route 23 parallels the tracks, anchoring a downtown area home to government offices, small businesses and a few single-family homes. The drive-through-only Coffee Container is a busy morning spot for caffeinated drinks on the go. Nearby, regulars often grab a seat at the counter at Sherrill's Pioneer Restaurant for Southern-style diner fare. A few boutiques fill red brick storefronts on Depot Street. Down the highway, Food Lion and Tractor Supply Co. anchor Lakeside Plaza, where Blue Rooster Southern Grill draws in diners for its comfort food and folksy décor. Small markets, including Presnell’s Produce & More in Crabtree, are sprinkled around the area and offer local produce and goods. Medical care is available in town at Haywood Regional Medical Center.
Clyde is mostly car-dependent, with access to Interstate 40
Most people drive here. Interstate 40, North Carolina’s mountain-to-sea highway, heads east to Asheville, about 25 miles from the town’s center. Willett says commuters use U.S. Route 23 to get to the neighboring communities of Canton and Waynesville. Asheville Regional Airport is around 30 miles from the town limits. Haywood Public Transit offers fixed-route and point-to-point service around the county.
This town's history of hurricanes
Helene wasn’t the first hurricane to cause the Pigeon River to flood Clyde. Much of the town center sits in the 100-year floodplain. “I lived in Clyde in 2004, when Francis and Ivan hurricanes came through back-to-back in 10 days,” Willet says. “All the houses on the street that I lived on, unless they were up on stilts, the owners were not able to go back.” Hurricane Fred hit the town in 2021. In addition to flooding, landslides are possible as the area has steep terrain.
