Shawneehaw Creek runs through the heart of Banner Elk, its name derived from a Cherokee word for the serviceberry tree — the first tree to bloom in these mountains each spring. The creek is a pleasant presence in town and offers accessible fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The water runs cold year-round at this elevation, keeping the fish active even in midsummer when lower-elevation streams become sluggish.
A short walking trail follows the creek through town, and in summer the banks are a popular spot for families. Downstream, the Shawneehaw meets the Elk River, which itself is known for its trout fishing and for the short but impressive Elk River Falls a few miles northwest of town.