Pick your level
A free listing to be found, a banner to be seen, or a partner plan to be recommended in itineraries and the newsletter.
Advertise with WNC Trails
Be the local business hikers find while they plan the trip.
Our trail guides, directory pages and events are written for people deciding where to hike in Western North Carolina. Put your lodging, restaurant, outfitter or shop in front of them at that moment with a free listing, a banner or a full partnership.
Right moment
Reach readers while they are choosing a trail, a town or a weekend.
Right place
Appear next to the guides, listings and events that match your location.
Right size
Start with a free listing, buy one banner, or build a year-long partnership.
Who it is for
Built for businesses that serve hikers and weekend visitors.
Lodging, restaurants and breweries, outfitters and gear shops, guides and tours, attractions and local services around the trails we cover. If a visitor could need you before, during or after a hike, there is a fit.
Tell us about your business
Share your details or upload your banner from your account. Nothing goes live without a quick review for relevance and accuracy.
Go live
Your placement runs for the term you chose and is always labeled, so readers know what is a partner and what is editorial.
Partner plans
Choose how visible you want to be.
Plans run from one month to a full year, and annual plans include about two months at no extra cost. Every placement is checked for editorial and geographic relevance.
Trail Partner
For restaurants, cafés, shops and local services
$49 / month
$490 annually
- Enhanced, owner-verified listing
- Up to 10 photos and 3 action buttons
- Rotating featured category placement
- Special offer and partner badge
Weekend Partner
For lodging, tours and weekend experiences
$149 / month
$1,490 annually
- Everything in Trail Partner
- Regional and category visibility
- Placement in up to 2 Trail Day Plans
- Quarterly newsletter feature
- Quarterly social post
Regional Partner
For businesses that serve the whole region
$399 / month
$3,990 annually
- Everything in Weekend Partner
- Priority regional placement
- Monthly newsletter placement
- Monthly social post
- Quarterly sponsored itinerary
- Limited category exclusivity
- Quarterly campaign review
Start with a free listing.
Get found with your business name, category, location, description, photo, hours and website link. Upgrade whenever you are ready.
Display advertising
Put your banner where local hikers are reading.
A single banner, clearly labeled Advertisement, in the placement you choose. One advertiser per placement, for 12 months — $105 billed annually (launch price). Every banner is reviewed before it goes live.
Directory results
At the bottom of the directory, category and lodging archive pages, where visitors compare places. Format: 970 × 90 px.
Listing pages
On every directory and lodging listing, below the details, where visitors decide where to eat, stay or shop. Format: 970 × 90 px.
Listing sidebar
In the sidebar of every listing page, between the details and the owner block. Format: 300 × 250 px.
Trail guides & articles
Inside every guide and article, after the fourth paragraph, where readers are choosing a hike. Format: 970 × 90 px.
Events
Below the event details on every event page, in front of people planning a weekend around it. Format: 970 × 90 px.
Page bottom banner
At the bottom of site pages, below the newsletter band. Format: 970 × 90 px.
Launch pricing
Become a Founding Partner.
Introductory monthly rates on six-month plans.
Questions? Get in Touch6-month term shown above. Want 3 or 12 months instead? Pick your plan below and enter code FOUNDING-TRAIL-3MO / FOUNDING-TRAIL-12MO (or the Weekend Partner equivalents) at checkout. Founding Partners commit to at least three months and allow WNC Trails to use campaign results or an approved testimonial as a case study. Participation does not guarantee a specific number of leads, sales or bookings.
How it works
A simple partnership process.
Apply
Tell us about your business, location, audience and primary goal.
Review
We confirm that your business fits the WNC Trails audience and content.
Build
We prepare your listing, links, images, offer and relevant placements.
Measure
We confirm what is live, where it appears and when it renews or ends.
Frequently asked questions
What businesses should know.
What kinds of businesses can become partners?
We consider lodging providers, restaurants, breweries, outdoor retailers, guides, tour operators, campgrounds, shuttle services, family attractions and other businesses that genuinely improve a Western North Carolina visit.
Do you guarantee customers or bookings?
No. We provide targeted visibility, contextual placement and measurable interactions. Results depend on your offer, location, season, pricing and customer experience.
Can any business buy the top position?
No. Placement depends on relevance, geography, plan level and editorial fit. Paid participation never requires WNC Trails to make a misleading recommendation.
How are sponsored placements identified?
Sponsored features and paid partnerships are disclosed clearly so readers can distinguish advertising from independent editorial content.
Can I start with a free listing?
Yes. Eligible businesses can claim a basic listing and upgrade later when they want additional photos, visibility or campaign opportunities.
How long does setup take?
Setup begins after the business is approved and all required information, links and authorized images have been received. A launch date is confirmed during onboarding.
Can I cancel a monthly plan?
Monthly plans can be canceled with 30 days' notice. Published placements and completed campaign work are not refundable. Annual plans are governed by the partnership agreement.
Partner application
Tell us about your business.
We review every application for relevance and location before recommending a plan. Submitting this form does not create a contract or payment obligation.