The North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers some of the most diverse and accessible adventures in the Southern Appalachians — from the mist-draped ridgelines of Kuwohi to the trout-filled creeks of Deep Creek and the wide-open meadows of Cataloochee Valley. Here, you’ll find quiet trails, hidden waterfalls and wildlife encounters that feel like something out of a storybook.
With no entrance fee and miles of adventure, the NC side of the Smokies invites you to slow down, tune in and connect — with the land, the history and maybe even yourself.
Rent a tube in Bryson City and float down cool, clear mountain water past small falls and forested banks — a summer favorite for all ages.
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See Elk in Cataloochee
At dawn and dusk, Cataloochee Valley becomes a natural amphitheater for elk watching, just bring your binoculars and give them space to roam.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Ride the Rails
Hop aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City for a nostalgic train ride past rivers, gorges and autumn-kissed forests, no hiking boots required.
Four iconic rivers carve through the North Carolina Smoky Mountains, weaving together pristine trout streams, whitewater rapids and still-water havens to create the Smoky Mountain Blueway Trails.
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Oconaluftee Indian Village
Step into the living history of the Cherokee people at Oconaluftee Indian Village, where you can walk among traditional dwellings, witness time-honored crafts and ceremonies and gain a deeper understanding of the culture that has shaped these mountains for centuries.
