Things To Do And Places To See

With so many things to do and places to see there is something for everyone.  You won’t have to travel far from the cabin to enjoy all that the mountains have to offer. 

Whitewater Rafting

Nantahala Outdoor Center  Established in 1972, NOC offers world-class paddling instruction and rafting.   NOC is an employee owned business specializing in extraordinary outdoor recreation activities for your family and friends.  NOC has rafting services on several area rivers, each with their own unique scenery and rapids.   For those looking for more challenging rivers, the Occoee and Chattooga Rivers are great choices and both are only about 1.5 hours from the cabin.  Visit NOC’s website for river descriptions, age and weight requirements.  Each river has different requirements and they are strictly enforced for everyone’s safety. You can also rent the latest high-end mountain bikes from NOC and ride on nearby trails.  (Favorites)

There are many other reputable outfitters along the river but the best choice for the Nantahala River is probably NOC just because you don’t have to catch the return bus at the end of your paddle trip.

Deep Creek Tubing  Located in the Smoky Mountain National Park (Bryson City Entrance), Deep Creek is one of the best kept secrets in the mountains.  It is definitely a must do for families and a great place to spend an entire day.  Entrance is free and you can rent tubes just outside the park for a couple bucks each.  The park has picnic tables and grills so just bring your picnic basket essentials and enjoy the day.  There are some very nice hiking trails, waterfalls, and much more.  (Favorites)

Area Attractions

Appalachian Trail    A 2,160 mile foot trail along the ridge crests and across the major valleys of the Appalachia Mountains from Katahdin in the central Maine wilderness to Springer Mountain in a designated wilderness area in north Georgia.   The trail follows the mountain ridge behind the cabin and can be easily accessed across from the NOC.  You can also hike to Wesser Bald (approximately a 2.5 hour hike each way) to find a viewing tower.  Ask for directions at the NOC.

Biltmore Estate    Located in Asheville, North Carolina just 60 miles East of Bryson City. Plan to spend the day in this 250 room mansion built by George Vanderbilt in 1895. The vineyard and extensive gardens are unsurpassed.

Blue Ridge Parkway    is 469 miles of scenic roadway that connects the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee.

Cherohala Skyway    This is a beautiful and scenic drive that takes you from Tellico Plains( just outside of Murphy) to Robbinsville along the Snowbird Mountains Ridge.  The drive winds 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". The Skyway is becoming well known in motorcycling and sports car circles for its long, sweeping corners and scenic views and is a great precursor to Deals Gap.

Deals Gap / Tail of the Dragon    This world-famous stretch of high mountain winding road with 318 continuous curves in 11 miles is know to most motorcyclists and sports car drivers as “Tail of the Dragon”.

Cherokee Indian Reservation    is the home of the descendants of those Cherokee who, in the late 1830's, remained in the mountains of North Carolina rather than be forced to march along the infamous "Trail of Tears" to Oklahoma.

Fontana Lake and Dam    Fontana Lake is only 6 miles from the cabin and offers some of the most scenic boating and best fishing in the area.  It is bordered on the east side by the Smoky Mountain National Park and is over 29 miles in length.  We love to rent a pontoon boat at Almond Marina and spend the day on the lake cruising, fishing and tubing.  Fontana Damn is located at the north end of the lake and is the highest dam east of the Rockies. It towers 480 feet in height and backs water for 30 miles creating the lake.  You can take a tour of the damn including a glass inclined elevator to the bottom of the Damn to tour the generator plant. 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park    established in 1934 covers 520,408 acres of land with heights ranging from 840 feet at Abrams Creek to 6,643 feet at Clingmans Dome.

The Elk Of Cataloochee Valley     The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation embarked on a very high profile project to reintroduce elk to the Cataloochee Valley area of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park over 10 years ago. After years of studies, the first elk were transported to the park in February of 2000. In April of 2000 they were released into the wild. The elk have flourished and after this years calves are born the population should over 85 animals.  Click on the link for maps and directions.  This is a great way to spend an evening and is located just outside Maggie Valley.  The can be seen in the morning and evening hours.  We recommend combining elk viewing with a visit to Cherokee and Maggie Valley.  We recommend dinner at Granny’s Chicken, a unique mountain dinner with tasty home style meals. 

Clingmans Dome   is the highest point along the Appalachian Trail and provides a 360° view of the surrounding mountains rising 6,643 feet above sea level.

Great Smoky Mountains Railway    With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on board will enjoy scenic train journeys across fertile valleys, into tunnels and through river gorges.   Leave out of Bryson City for a ride through the Nantahala Gorge.

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest    The old growth forest is a tribute to a hero whose poem “Trees” inspired millions. A walk through Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is a journey back in time through a magnificent forest with towering trees as old as 400 years. Some enormous yellow-poplars are over 20 feet in circumference and stand 100 feet tall. The floor is carpeted with a garden of wildflowers, ferns, and moss-covered logs from fallen giants.

Lonesome Dove Stables   Local horseback riding in scenic Nantahala. 

Otter Creek Trout Farm   Offers trout farm tours and fresh trout (whole or filet)

Lon & Betty Ogden, Owners

904-254-8386 or 904-254-8387
boolonscabin@comcast.net