Activities in the NC Smokies
Whether you are here for a weekend getaway or a week-long vacation, you youll find plenty to keep you busy in the NC Smokies: scenic train rides, world-class fishing, golfing and mountain biking, rafting and kayaking, hiking, even riding an inner tube down a splashy creek. Come to Bryson City and have a big vacation in a small town!
Tubing and Swimming
| Mountain river tubing is the most economical summer activity in the Smokies and Deep Creek,just north of Bryson City, is perhaps the best-known stream. You can rent a tube for $5/day from several vendors including Deep Creek Tube Center on West Deep Creek Road. On the Oconaluftee River, Cherokee Rapids rents tubes and inflatable kayaks. |
| Scenic rail excursions through a remote corner of North Carolina into river gorges, across valleys and through tunnels carved out of mountains. Excursions include Nantahala Gorge, Dinosaur Train, Polar Express, BBQ and Brews Dinner Train and other themed events. |
| Swain County is one of the most diverse fishing habitats in the world with four rivers, dozens of mountain streams throughout the Smoky Mountains and the deep, cold waters of Fontana and Cheoah Lakes. For a fishing map and descriptions of 26 fishing destination, visit: |
| Fly Fishing the Smokies, the Smoky Mountain’s Best Outfitter and Guide Service! We offer private all inclusive Guided Fishing trips daily out of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Cherokee NC, and Bryson City. Since 1999 we have guided anglers on some of the most beautiful Trout Streams in all of North Carolina and Tennessee. Areas we guide include the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Tuckasegee River, the Little Tennessee River, and Cherokee Trophy Trout waters. Discover the majestic streams and mountains with the Smokies’ most experienced Outfitter and Guides. No Experience necessary, we will teach you how to Fly Fish!
email: [email protected] |
| Phone: |
(828)-488-7665 |
| Whether you’re a fisherman or just enjoying an afternoon on the lake, you can rent a fishing boat or pontoon boat at the Almond Boat and RV Park. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. |
| Location: |
US 28N, 15 minutes west of Bryson City |
| There are more than 800 miles of hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At Newfound Gap at the peak of the Smokies you can hike the Appalachian Trail to Charlie’s Bunion, an 8-mile round trip with an elevation gain of 980 feet. The most accessible are in the Deep Creek area (trail and waterfall map, pdf): |
| The Tsali mountain biking trail area, 15 miles west of Bryson City, is a 42-mile network of multi-use trails consistently rated one of the top ten riding destinations in the United States. For shorter, easier biking try the wider trails at Deep Creek (map) and the 3-mile (in and out) Oconaluftee River Trail in Cherokee. |
| Bryson City Outdoors offers paddleboard rentals for Fontana Lake and surrounding areas. Check out the link below for details. |
| Location: |
169 Main Street Bryson City, NC 28713 |
| Phone: |
828-342-6444 |
Golfing
| Swain County has two golf courses — The Smoky Mountain Country Club in Whittier (exit 72 off US 74 and follow signs) and Sequoyah National just south of Cherokee on US 441 (exit 74 off US 74). |
| Through exhibits and videos you`ll learn about past fly fishing legends, the evolution of rods and reels, fly-tying, regional fishing waters, and the history of fly fishing in the Southeast. |
| Location: |
516 Tsali Boulevard Cherokee, NC 28719 |
| Phone: |
828-788-0034 |
| A 56,000-square-foot family entertainment center in Franklin, NC with 100+ arcade games, mini golf, the area’s largest go cart track, bowling, laser tag, pizza buffet, fine dining and more! A great rainy-day activity for the kids. |
| Home to the world’s premier collection of rare American vintage motorcycles, "The Museum That Runs" houses over 300 of America’s rarest and most historic classic motorcycles, including Harley-Davidson, Indian, Excelsior, Crocker, Henderson, and much more. Open Thurs-Monday, late March through November. Check the website for hours and prices. |
