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Cherokee, North Carolina Travel Guide |
Cherokee Area: Cherokee Overview | Great Smoky Mountains | Blue Ridge Parkway |
Oconaluftee Visitors Center & Farm Museum | Museum of the Cherokee | Unto These Hills |
Oconaluftee Indian Village | Harrah’s Cherokee Casino |
Festival of Native Peoples and Indian Art Market |
Zipline Tours |
Just 50 miles from Asheville is Cherokee, North Carolina, located at the main North Carolina entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (via US Highway 441) and home to Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation is one of the only three federally recognized Cherokee tribes. There are about 13,400 Eastern Band of Cherokee members, most of whom live on the Reservation. Properly called the Qualla Boundary, the Reservation is slightly more than 56,000 acres held in trust by the federal government specifically for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Here are our top reasons to make a day trip to Cherokee while staying in the Asheville area: |
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
At the entrance to the Park at Cherokee is the Oconaluftee Visitors Center, Mingus Mill and the Mountain Farm Museum, a beautiful setting of historic buildings. See our Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guide for more. Drive up U.S. 441 to Newfound Gap and Clingman's Dome.
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Cherokee Heritage
Learn the story of the Cherokee people from the Cherokee in several outstanding museums, a legendary outdoor drama and at several festivals. See our full page guides for the following:
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Shop!
Browse the many shops, clustered in several areas of town. Stock up on your mocassins, plastic tomahawks and mini totem poles. Or fine quality Cherokee crafts such as Cherokee Indian pottery, baskets and beadwork; as well as other locally made gifts such as dream catchers, dolls and woodcrafts. Also find a variety of home furnishings and leather goods, including handbags, belts, backpacks, hats and wallets; as well as biker apparel such as vests, jackets and chaps. |
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Wonderful Park
As the Oconaluftee passes through Cherokee, it is split by a beautiful, grassy island. It's home to the Oconaluftee Islands Park – sheltered by canopies of oak and sycamore. Beautiful walking bridges connect the island. Wade in the water, have a picnic, or sit by the relaxing river. Find is along U.S. Highway 441. |
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Artful Bears
Go bear hunting. The town of Cherokee is being overrun by a collection of bears. But, don¹t worry these bears are completely harmless. Several Eastern Band of Cherokee artists have created a series of large, life-like fiberglass bears and painted them in bright vibrant colors and designs. Currently there are 15 painted bears completed, located in various spots around town. |
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Mingo Falls Waterfall
Mingo Falls, called Big Bear Falls in the Cherokee language, cascades two hundred feet nearly straight down past granite boulders and rhododendrons schrubs – one of the most beautiful waterfalls of the mountains. But you must hike up to meet it-161 rough-hewn steps built along the rushing creek that descends from the falls. At the top of the stairway a short path leads to a bridge at the base of the falls, a safe place to stand and take in the sight. Cherokee people who live on the Qualla Boundary enjoy this waterfall as one of the beautiful places to visit on tribal land.
From U.S. 441 in downtown Cherokee, turn onto Acquoni Road, which runs beside the Oconaluftee River. Proceed to Saunooke Village shopping center, then turn right onto Big Cove Road. About five miles from downtown Cherokee on this two-lane paved road, signs appear for Mingo Falls Campground. The waterfall is adjacent to the campground. Parking for the waterfall accommodates a half-dozen cars or more. |
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Casino
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino is operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee and is open 24-hours-a-day to guests who are 21-years-of-age or older. See our Harrah's Cherokee Casino Guide for more.
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Historic Mill
At The Old Mill, experience a Historic Grist Mill on the edge of the Cherokee Reservation. A Country Store with fresh ground cornmeal, grits, jams, honey, country ham, candles and quailty gifts. The 1886 room is full of antiques, lamps furniture, china and advertising signs. They offer the work of 60+ Cherokee Artists carvings, baskets, pipes and beadwork to name a few. Collectors will find Civil War, Indian artifacts, Southern pottery and rare one of a kind items. They carry the largest selection of carving stone in the Southeast in a variety of colors. Located South of Cherokee 1 mile on US 441 N. |
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Cherokee Festivals and Special Events
Ramp It Up! Festival: The tourism season in Cherokee commences on the last Saturday in March at the Indian Fair Grounds with the annual Ramp It Up! Festival. This event highlights two mountain delicacies - trout and wild ramps, a garlic-like plant grown locally. The festival coincides with the opening of trout season. Ramp It Up! is not just about fishing, but it also features music, a trout and ramps feast, the fifth annual Chief's Horseshoe Tournament.
Festival of Native Peoples and Cherokee Art Market: This annual gathering in July of tribes from throughout the Americas is the finest showcase of native dance, art and culture in the southeast. See our Festival of Native Peoples Guide.
July Powwow: Three days of authentic Indian dancing, drumming and tribal regalia. Dance competitions rock.
Volkswagen Show: Beetles, bugs, striped, polka-dotted. Come see all the different ways people have customized their favorite sedans and camper vans. August.
Southeastern Tribes Cultural Arts Celebration: Artists and craftspeople representing the Cherokee, Creek, Chicksaw, Seminole and Choctaw tribes present tribal dance, storytelling, crafts, contests and food. September.
Cherokee Rod Run: Held in May and October with plenty of vintage pre-1972 vehicles.
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Sequoyah National Golf Course
Opening in September 2009, Sequoyah National Golf Course is the newest attraction to the Cherokee area and is owned by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. The 18-hole golf course, open to the public, is designed by world renowned Robert Trent Jones II and has a state of the art irrigation system, along with each hole's unique and breathtaking views.
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Download a PDF map of Cherokee.
Nearby are the towns of Sylva and Bryson City.
Cherokee is just 52 miles from Asheville via I-40 West to Exit 27, then U.S. 19 to U.S. 441 in Cherokee (Just over an hour's drive). Or you can take the more scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, but this could take three to four hours. A great day trip is to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway to Cherokee and return the faster way via I-40.
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