You Can Do It All In The Smoky Mountains

The NC section of the trail offers diverse opportunities for both novice hikers and serious climbers. You can access the trail at Wesser in the Nantahala Gorge, Fontana Dam, Newfound Gap, and at Clingmans Dome in the GSMNP.

Deep Creek: Around 2 miles of fairly easy walking will acquaint you with beautiful Deep Creek and three beautiful waterfalls. Deep Creek area has 3 loop hikes including Juney Whank Falls (0.6 mile), Three Waterfalls Loop (2.4 miles), and Deep Creek-Indian Creek Loop (4.4 miles). For the more adventurous longer hikes are also possible. Trails to the waterfalls start from the large parking area at the end of Deep Creek Road. (Map of Deep Creek Trails)

Smoky National Park: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has over 800 miles of trail and more than 500,000 acres of land which provides opportunities for walking and hiking. Much of the Much of the best things in the park and nature can not be seen from your car. Wildflowers, cascading streams, waterfalls, the scent of evergreens, and the sounds of birds and other wildlife just can’t be appreciated at 30 miles per hour.

Snow Skiing

Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, North Carolina: Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Smooth, gentle slopes like Easy Way and Rabbit Hill gives beginners the space they need to learn the basics and practice their skills. Intermediate skiers and snowboarders find plenty of action on Rock Island Run and Lower Omigosh, while seasoned experts can face the steep slope found on Upper Omigosh. Snowboarders looking for a thrill find the Cat Cage Terrain Park delivers with ramps, rails and boxes.

Tubing

Deep Creek: For years, generations of fun-loving vacationers have been coming back to Deep Creek to experience the thrill of riding an inner tube down the rapids of this Smoky Mountain stream. The one-mile stretch of water in the Smoky National Park set aside for tubing is divided into two sections, the upper section is narrower and offers the most white water and the lower section is wider and a bit calmer. It’s perfect for younger kids and less-adventurous adults.

Go swimming between the two sections. You’ll find one of the best natural swimming holes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Tuckasegee River: The lower Tuckasegee River Gorge is a family-friendly scenic river trip with Class I/II rapids. The Tuckasegee River is part of the Little Tennessee River Valley, its water eventually flows into the Mississippi River and on down to the Gulf of Mexico. Located in the western part of NC flowing through a scenic mountain valley and several quaint mountain communities. Enjoy Rafting, Tubing, Kayaking and Canoeing on the Tuck just 3 miles North of Dillsboro on hwy 74 & 441.

Fishing

Whether you are fly fishing for native brook trout in a cold mountain stream, smallmouth or largemouth bass in beautiful Fontana Lake or rainbow or brown trout in one of the many stocked streams, the area around Bryson City, Cherokee, Fontana, Sylva hosts some of the most diverse fishing habitats in the world.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala National Forest offer hundreds of miles of spectacularly clear streams. Just a few minutes from Bryson City, the sparkling waters of Deep Creek are ripe for fly fishing, and many anglers enjoy the Nantahala River just west of town.

The Cherokee Indian Reservation also offers a variety of fishing opportunities for the trout fisherman with regularly stocked streams and three trout ponds.

Fontana Lake boasts one of the most diverse fish populations anywhere in the country. With depths of over 400 feet, many northern fish such as walleye, muskie and smallmouth bass are among favorites of local fishermen.

Golf

Smoky Mountain Country Club: Surrounded by 5,000 foot Appalachian peaks, from valley floors to mountaintops, Smoky Mountain Country Club is one of the most unique and scenic 18 hole golf courses you will ever play.
The golf course will supersede your expectations of a mountain golf course. The Smoky Mountain Country Club is a true mountain course with almost 400 feet of elevation change. Panoramic views surround you at all times on our golf course.

Horseback Riding

Smoky Mountain national Park: Guided horseback rides are available at four concession horseback riding stables in the park from mid-March through late November. Rides on scenic park trails are offered lasting from 45 minutes to several hours. All rides proceed at a walking pace. Rates are from $20-$25 per hour. Weight limits and age restrictions may apply. Please call the stable you are interested in for additional information.

Cades Cove, near Townsend, TN (865) 448-9009
(also offers hayrides and carriage rides) Visit website for additional information.

Smokemont, near Cherokee, NC (828) 497-2373
(also offers wagon rides) Visit website for additional information.

Smoky Mountain, near Gatlinburg, TN (865) 436-5634. Visit website for additional information.

Sugarlands, near Gatlinburg, TN (865) 436-3535.

Deep Creek Lake Horseback Riding Stables: Guided trail rides are private with your own guide. The trail winds into a hillside, through some wooded areas and around open fields and old apple orchards here on our family farm – the terrain is varied and offers some nice views.

Cataloochee Ranch: Enjoy hosts of wildflowers, mile-high vistas, lush forests, or the cool quietness of rhododendron tunnels as you ride through Cataloochee Ranch or surrounding Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Site Seeing

Great Smoky Mountain National Park: Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America’s most visited national park.

Blue Ridge Parkway: Don’t even think about getting on the Parkway if you’re in a hurry. A drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway is slow paced and relaxing. Almost all of the overlooks or trails will reveal much of the natural and cultural history here. You’ll also find yourself stopping a lot along the way.
The Blue ridge Parkway winds for 469.1 miles from Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive in Virginia to U.S. 441 at Oconaluftee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park just outside Cherokee, NC.

Cherohala Skyway: The Cherohala Skyway was completed in 1996 after being under construction for some thirty-four years. Winding up and over 5,400 foot mountains for 15 miles in North Carolina and descending another 21 miles into the deeply forested backcountry of Tennessee. The road crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests thus the name “Chero…hala”. There is little evidence of civilization from views that rival or surpass any from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This mile-high ride is always a new and unforgetable experience.

Gem Mining

North Carolina is a state that is rich in many different types of gemstones. Some of the gems that can be found in the Franklin , Cherokee, Bryson City, Nantahala area include Amethyst, Aquamarine, Almandite Garnet, Beryl, Clear Quartz, Cyanite, Diamond, Emerald, Hiddenite, Ruby, Sapphire and Smoky Quartz.
There are several gem mines located 30 – 40 minutes away from the cabin.

Whitewater Rafting

This part of North Carolina is home to some of the best whitewater rafting in then Smokey Mountains. You are close to the Nantahala, Ocoee and Cheoah Rivers. No matter your skill level, we have a river for you. Experience the thrill of the rushing water, enjoy the beauty of North Carolina mountains and rivers and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Mountain Biking

The popular Tsali Recreation Area has long been a top destination for mountain biking in Western North Carolina, and even the entire eastern US. Containing nearly 40 miles of trails in a system with four excellent loops, it has been rated as one of the top 10 places to ride in the USA.

The area is located on a hilly peninsula reaching into beautiful Fontana Lake, at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains. The four long main trails at Tsali wind along the lake shore and onto the wooded, steep interior ridges. The trails are fast, hardpacked and they’re extremely well designed and well used.

Casino Gambling

Don’t miss the action and excitement at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel. Featuring over 175,000 square feet of excitement and entertainment, this casino offers 2,200 video gaming machines, numerous table games, three restaurants, and a 1,500-seat entertainment area. From brand-new games and slots to dazzling favorites like Digital Blackjack and Baccarito, we’ve got it! No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino!

More Places to Go

Cabin on a Creek located in Whittier North Carolina close to Bryson City, Cherokee, Dillsboro and Sylva. We are within easy driving distance of Fontana Dam, Nantahala, Franklin, Maggie Valley, Murphy, Waynesville, Cashiers, Highlands, and Asheville in North Carolina.

Our Smokey Mountain cabin is also within easy driving distance of Clayton and Dillard in northern Georgia. as well as Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in Tennessee. We are only 3 hours from Atlanta and 2 from Nashville.