Experiences
Pick your kind of fun.
Waterfalls, hikes, lakes, rivers, scenic drives, mountain towns, festivals, and every good reason to load up the car — curated across the Southern Appalachians.
24 experiences
Nantahala River Rafting
Bryson City, NC
Family-friendly class II–III whitewater in a misty gorge.
AnchorGreat Smoky Mountains Railroad
Bryson City, NC
Scenic rail excursions through the Smokies, Nantahala Gorge, and Fontana Lake area.
AnchorDeep Creek Tubing
Bryson City, NC
Popular creek tubing area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Bryson City.
AnchorFontana Lake
Fontana Dam, NC
Large mountain lake popular for boating, fishing, paddling, scenic drives, and secluded getaways.
AnchorFontana Dam
Fontana Dam, NC
Tall TVA dam and scenic stop near the Appalachian Trail and Fontana Lake.
AnchorTuckaseegee Tubing (Bryson City)
Bryson City, NC
Lazy Tuckaseegee River float through downtown Bryson City — multiple outfitters operate this stretch.
AnchorTail of the Dragon (US-129)
Robbinsville, NC
318 curves in 11 miles — world-famous motorcycle and sports-car road on the NC/TN line.
AnchorNantahala Outdoor Center
Bryson City, NC
Flagship outdoor center on the Nantahala — rafting, ziplines, paddling school, riverside restaurants.
AnchorTom Branch Falls
Bryson City, NC
Easy creek-side waterfall on the Deep Creek Trail.
Waterfalls
Indian Creek Falls
Indian Creek Falls
Bryson City, NC
Wide 25-ft waterfall in the Deep Creek waterfall loop.
Waterfalls
Juney Whank Falls
Juney Whank Falls
Bryson City, NC
90-ft two-tier waterfall on the Deep Creek loop.
Fontana Lake
Fontana Dam, NC
Deep mountain reservoir on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, popular for boating, fishing, and scenic views.
Lake Santeetlah
Robbinsville, NC
Clear, quiet mountain lake in Graham County ringed by national forest shoreline.
Cheoah Lake
Tapoco, NC
Narrow reservoir on the Little Tennessee River framed by steep Appalachian ridges.
Calderwood Lake
Tapoco, NC
Remote, deep-green reservoir on the NC/TN border along the Tail of the Dragon corridor.
Nantahala Lake
Topton, NC
Remote high-mountain lake feeding the famous Nantahala River below.
Tuckasegee River
Dillsboro, NC
Wide trout river through Sylva, Dillsboro, and Bryson City — a WNC Fly Fishing Trail anchor.
Nantahala River
Bryson City, NC
Class II–III whitewater river in the famous Nantahala Gorge.
Wineries & Culinary
Deep Creek Winery
Deep Creek Winery
Bryson City, NC
Small-batch Smoky Mountain winery near Bryson City, focused on muscadine and fruit wines.
Wineries & Culinary
Mountain Layers Brewing Company
Mountain Layers Brewing Company
Bryson City, NC
Downtown Bryson City craft brewery with a rooftop deck.
Wineries & Culinary
Nantahala Brewing Company
Nantahala Brewing Company
Bryson City, NC
Anchor Bryson City craft brewery next to the GSMR depot.
AnchorDeep Creek Three Waterfalls Loop
Bryson City, NC
Popular Bryson City loop with Juney Whank, Tom Branch, and Indian Creek Falls.
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest Loop
Robbinsville, NC
Old-growth forest loop with giant trees in the far western North Carolina mountains.
Siler Bald Trail
Franklin, NC
Appalachian Trail side hike near Franklin to a grassy summit with mountain views.