Outdoor Adventures

Swain County is great for road cycling,and off-road biking at the Tsali recreation area
Mountain Biking — Each year, Swain County attracts thousands of mountain bikers to the world-famous Tsali Recreation Area Trail System, 15 miles west of Bryson City. Pronounced “SAH-lee” and named after the 19th Cherokee Indian martyr, the 42-mile network of multi-use trails is consistently rated one of the top ten riding destinations in the United States. The four-loop system offers a variety of landscapes and trail types from single track to old logging roads. Hikers may use the trails any day of the week, but mountain bikers and horseback riders are kept separated by alternating use of the trails.

NOC - Nanatahala Outdoor Centre rents Moutain bikes and has maps. Contact the bike shop.
828-488-6737 or 888-662-1662

Road Biking — There are many miles of uncrowded country roads throughout Swain County, many designated as bike routes. Lakeview Drive (a.k.a. "Road to Nowhere") is a lightly traveled road that winds eight miles into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, north of Bryson City. It is a moderate ride with great views of Fontana Lake.

Just west of Bryson City, two moderate loops offer a variety of landscapes on lightly traveled roads. The 13-mile Lower Alarka Loop offers views of Lake Fontana and the Tuckasegee River, while the 15-mile Upper Alarka Loop offers a mixture of scenic flat farmland and steep mountain grades.

Located about a dozen miles west of Bryson City on US 19/74, the scenic Nantahala River ranks among the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in the country. Without a doubt, it is the most popular in the Southeast luring more than 200,000 paddlers to its waters every year. A perfect combination of frisky whitewater and placid pools, the Nantahala is a great introduction to the exciting sport of whitewater paddling.

The Nantahala River, with Class II and III rapids, is considered a “family” river suitable for senior citizens and children — providing the kids are at least 7 years old or weight at least 60 pounds.
For a little more excitement hire a single or double ducky. and drive your own craft.

Endless Rivers - Offers whitewater rafting on the Nantahala and Ocoee Rivers. Ocoee rafting package includes transportation from our Nantahala Outpost, saving you the extra driving. Kayak instruction from the beginner to advanced level and kayak/mountain trips to Costa Rica and Ecuador. Lake touring offered for half-and full-day trips. Also, fly fishing instruction & guide service with drift boat option.

Nantahala Outdoor Centre - Named "One of the Best Outfitters on Earth" by National Geographic Adventure, NOC has led the rafting industry in professionalism, safety and service since 1972. Along with our ideal family rafting options on the Nantahala, our riverside campus features four distinct dining options, a variety of lodging, our world-class Paddling School, mountain/road bike rentals, fly fishing, lake kayaking, our famous Outfitter's Store and more! Come see for yourself why NOC is a legend in the outdoors.

Waterfalls Galore & Tubing

There is a nice short walk at Deep Creek - we would recommend taking a picnic, eating in the parking lot and hiking the Junywank falls loop or for those who want a little more - Indian Creek falls is a 1.5 mile roundtrip from the car park at Deep Creek. This spectacular falls tumbles 35 feet into Deep Creek.

A walk or drive beside any mountain stream will lead you by hundreds of these tumbling cascades as the waters rush down from the peaks of the Smokies. But the high falls are the most spectacular, and Swain County offers some of the best in the Smokies, including Deep Creek’s trio of waterfalls – Juneywhank, Tom Branch and Indian Creek Falls.

Juneywhank Falls (upper left)— From the Deep Creek trailhead parking area, follow the well-marked trail 1/4 mil uphill to Juneywhank Falls. The roar of the falls can be heard even before you reach it. An eighty-foot cascade of water starts above you and runs under a log footbridge with handrails, and meets up with Deep Creek at the bottom of the trail.

Tom Branch Falls (top right, in the title) — Starting back at the main trailhead, walk just 1,000 feet along the wide, flat Deep “Creek trail to Tom Branch Falls, a wispy waterfall that gently splashes over 80 feet into Deep Creek. A bench is provided beside the creek and is a great place to sit and watch the tubers float by.

Indian Creek Falls (right) — Continuing along the Deep Creek trail for approximately one mile, the trail winds up a slight grade to where Indian Creek spills into Deep Creek. Follow the Indian Creek Trail to the right 200 feet uphill to Indian Creek Falls, a high-spirited waterfall that noisily plunges 25 feet to the pool below. A small spur trail leads to the bottom of the falls.

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, Swain County hosts one 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. There are several other trout ponds in the area (see below).

If you prefer stillwater fishing, 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. For boating information, including public boating access and marinas with boat rentals, visit the Fontana page of this web site.

Scenic Drives

Cherohola Highway

Horseback riding vacations in the
North Carolina Smokies

A great way to enjoy the rugged beauty of the Smoky Mountains is by horseback riding. Several stables and outfitters offer guided horse rides through areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala National Forest, following trails that lead to waterfalls, through streams or along scenic ridges and panoramic vistas of mountains and lakes.

Horseback treks are generally available from one to four hours. Or you can experience the adventure of overnight camping trips lasting two to four days. You should check with individual stables to learn what riding options each offers.

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