Nantahala National Forest Active and Adventure Vacations

Nantahala National Forest Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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View from Whiteside Mountain in Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina
View from Whiteside Mountain, Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina (Jordan Mitchell/courtesy, WNCOutdoors.info)

Nantahala National Forest Active and Adventure Highlights

By Travel Expert: Alistair Wearmouth
  • Paddle the Nantahala River (the "Nanty," as locals call it) for a nine-mile stretch of Class II–III whitewater that sluices through the scenic Nantahala River Gorge. The Nantahala Outdoor Center, headquartered in Bryson City, offers a variety of river trips suitable for first-timers and experienced rafters alike. Paddling is also available on the Nolichucky, Chattooga, French Broad, and Ocoee rivers.
  • Hike the figure-eight Joyce Kilmer National Recreation Trail, a two-mile tour through one of the largest old-growth stands in the eastern United States. Here, 400-year-old virgin hemlock and yellow poplars tower above a carpet of wildflowers and ferns. Hundreds of miles of other trails wind through the forest, some of which are multiuse paths for bikers and horses. The Snowbird Backcountry Area provides 37 miles of trails reserved exclusively for hikers.
  • Find fat-tire nirvana at the Tsali Recreation Area near Almond, just off NC 28. Several loops provide up to 40 miles of challenging trails rated "more difficult"—but even if you’re new to the sport, you'll find a variety of low-impact routes winding through the forest. The Left Loop, a 12-mile trail along the edge of Lake Fontana, was rated as one of the ten best rides in America by Bicycling magazine.
  • At Lake Chatuge and Fontana Lake, you can reel in sunfish, walleye, catfish, and big, beefy bass. If it's trout you're after, try the Chattooga River, the Upper Nantahala River, Kimsey Creek, and Park Creek in the Standing Indian Basin.
  • The Mountain Waters Scenic Byway is a 61-mile drive that snakes its way through the southern Appalachians' hardwood forest and two river gorges. At Bridal Veil Falls, the road allows you to drive under a 120-foot waterfall.

Hotels

expert favorite hotel
Nantahala Outdoor Center
13077 Highway 19 W
Bryson City, NC 28713-9165
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 9.8 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite hotel
Tsali Recreation Area Campground
c/o Cheoah Ranger District, Route 1, Box 16-A
Robbinsville, NC 28721
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 17.6 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel Parks and Outdoors travel
from: $235 expert favorite hotel
Old Edwards Inn and Spa
445 Main Street
Highlands, NC
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 21.4 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Nantahala River Gorge
Nantahala National Forest
c/o Wayah Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road
Franklin, North Carolina 28734
Distance: 6.0 Miles (from destination center)
Description: The Nantahala River Gorge, a nine-mile stretch of... Read More
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel Parks and Outdoors travel
expert favorite attraction
Tsali Recreation Area
Nantahala National Forest
c/o Cheoah Ranger District, Route 1, Box 16A
Robbinsville, North Carolina 28721 Map
Distance: 14.6 Miles (from destination center)
Description: The Tsali Recreation Area has 41 campsites and... Read More
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
Mountain Waters Scenic Byway
Nantahala National Forest
c/o Wayah Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road
Franklin, North Carolina 28734
Distance: 8.5 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

Located in western North Carolina, this byway... Read More

Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
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Feature Articles

More Nantahala National Forest Active and Adventure Feature Articles (39)
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