 Nantahala National Forest is the largest national forest in North Carolina (531,286 acres), covering much of the western tip of the state. From Asheville, head west past the Blue Ridge Parkway to towns such as Sylva, Cullowhee, Cashiers, Highlands, Franklin (gem capital), Bryson City, Robbinsville and Murphy. It offers a wealth of outdoor activities and plenty of scenic views. The Indian word Nantahala means"land of the midday sun" — an appropriate name for a forest in which deep mountain gorges and valleys are illuminated only when the noon sun is directly overhead. At 5,800 feet, the Appalachian summit of Lone Bald is the highest point in the forest. It's home to many waterfalls. Download a PDF map of Nantahala National Forest.
Enjoy the panoramic views from Whiteside Mountain or Wayah Bald. A 2-mile loop trail to the top of the Whiteside cliffs, provides a spectacular view. Wayah Bald is especially beautiful in June when the azaleas and laurel bloom. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, with it's 400-year old trees, is another breathtaking sight, as is Whitewater Falls - the highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains. Perhaps the jewel of the Forest is the Nantahala River Gorge.
Mountain Waters National Scenic Byway
There is easy access to a wide variety of adventure on this 61.3-mile drive that winds through southern Appalachian hardwood forest, two spectacular river gorges, and rural countryside. From Highlands to Almond, the route follows US 64, old US 64, NC 1310, and US 19 through Nantahala National Forest. For the first 7.5 miles, the by-way travels through picturesque Cullasaja Gorge. The winding road parallels the river's most rugged course and offers scenic views of the river and waterfalls. If you stop at Bridal Veil Falls along the way, your car can get a natural car wash. Download a map & brochure of the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway.
Hiking Trails
Hundreds of miles of hiking trails wind through Nantahala. It's a great place to enjoy the peace and wonder of nature, whatever your hiking ability. A favorite hike is Whiteside Mountain, located between Highlands and Cashiers off U.S. Highway 64. Whiteside Mountain stands as a landmark along the eastern continental divide. It rises more than 2,100 feet from the valley floor to the summit at 4,930 feet. The south face contains magnificent sheer cliffs ranging from 400 feet to 750 feet in height. A 2-mile loop trail takes hikers along the ridge of the mountain and provides spectacular views to the east, south and west. See our Guide to Whiteside Mountain.
 Wayah Bald has a vantage point 5,200 feet in elevation where, on a clear day, you can see north to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and south into the rolling hills of Georgia. At Wayah Bald, visitors can take a short hike to climb an old fire tower, built in the days of the Civilian Conservation Corps, to witness panoramic views of the southern Appalachian mountain chain. (See our Wayah Bald Lookout Tower Guide.)
Maple Springs Observation Point is designed for use by the handicapped, a short 900-foot loop trail provides a spectacular panorama of Lake Santeetlah, much of the Cheoah Ranger District and the Great Smoky Mountains at a distance.
 The Appalachian Trail offers a variety of hiking options in Nantahala Forest. A great hike near Wayah Bald is taking the AT south to Siler Bald. The trail leaves the road just east of the gap at the picnic area. Go 1.7 miles to a blue-blazed side trail on the left toward the Siler Bald Shelter and expansive views from the summit of Siler Bald (5,216 ft). The side tail is 1.1 miles and ends at the AT, about 1/2 mile farther south. Head back toward the car for a rewarding 4-mile roundtrip hike. (photo contributed by
Barbra Rodichok)
See Gorges State Park for waterfall hikes. Also see our hiking guide and read about Zipline Tours.
Camping
The Nantahala National Forest offers full-featured campgrounds as well as primitive and group campgrounds. Nearly all the campgrounds in the forest are located near a lake, river, or stream — they include Chain of Lakes, Hanging Dog Recreation Area, Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area, Fires Creek, Tsali Recreation Area, Horse Cove Campground Area, Cheoah Point Recreation Area, The Snowbird Area, Cable Cove Recreation Area, Rattler Ford Group Campground, and Big Santeetlah Creek. Download a PDF list of campgrounds.
Mountain Biking at Tsali Recreation Area
Bike and Horse along Fontana Lake, with camping and boat launch facilities. Several loops provide up to 42 miles of challenging trails rated as"more difficult" — but even if you're just learning to pedal, you'll find a variety of low-impact routes that wind their way through the forest. The Left Loop, a 12-mile trail along the edge of Lake Fontana, was rated as one of the 10 best rides in America by Bicycling magazine. Read more about Tsali and mountain biking.
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
A walk through Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is a journey back in time through a magnificent forest with towering trees as old as 450 years. Some enormous tulip-poplars are more than 20 feet in circumference and stand 100 feet tall. The floor is carpeted with wildflowers, ferns, and moss-covered logs from fallen giants. The only way to see the impressive memorial forest is on foot. The figure-eight Joyce Kilmer National Recreation Trail covers 2 miles and has two loops: the 1.25-mile lower loop passes the Joyce Kilmer Memorial plaque, and the upper 0.75-mile loop swings through Poplar Cove—a grove of the forest’s largest trees. The trailhead parking area has a flush toilet and picnic tables. No camping or overnight parking is allowed. Download a PDF guide Joyce Kilmer Forest.
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Nantahala Outdoor Center
NOC is nestled in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest, situated where the namesake river intersects the Appalachian Trail and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Make NOC your basecamp for adventure with lodging choices, three restaurants, a pub, a gear store, general store and welcome center. NOC is a complete outdoor outfitter for whitewater rafting, mountain biking, fly fishing, kayaking instruction and lake tours, all within NC's largest national forest.
Click here to view their Web site. |
Waterfalls, Lakes & Rivers
The Nantahala National Forest is a great place for water lovers. Along with the namesake river and gorge, there are impressive waterfalls, including the highest waterfall in the east - Whitewater Falls.
Our favorite waterfall hike in Nantahala is Gorges State Park with several waterfalls along the Horsepasture River, including Rainbow Falls. Also see the many waterfalls near Highlands & Cashiers, including Dry Falls.
River rats can paddle through surging whitewater down the Nantahala River — a nine-mile stretch of world-class whitewater that rips through the dramatic Nantahala River Gorge. The Nantahala, or"Nanty" as locals call it, is a class II-III river — kayaks, canoes, and rafts are the vessels of choice. The main campus of Nantahala Outdoor Center, headquartered in Bryson City, offers a variety of river trips suitable for first-timers and experienced rafters. Paddling is also available on the Nolichucky, Chatanooga, French Broad, and Ocoee Rivers. See our Asheville Whitewater Rafting Guide.
Fish for Trout in Solitude
At Lake Chatuge and Fontana Lake, you can reel in jumbo-size bass, sunfish, walleye, and catfish. If it's trout you're after — try the Chattanooga River, the Upper Nantahala River, Standing Indian's Kimsey Creek, and Park Creek. Also see our fishing guide.
Wilderness Areas
Three Wilderness areas are located within the Nantahala National Forest. Ellicott Rock Wilderness is located near Highland, North Carolina at the intersection of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, with 3,900 acres (16 km²) in the North Carolina portion. The Southern Nantahala Wilderness includes 10,900 acres (17.0 sq mi; 44.1 km2) in the North Carolina portion and lies in the Tusquitee and Wayah Ranger Districts. Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness which includes another 13,100 acres (53.0 km2) in North Carolina. These wilderness areas provide an opportunity for solitude in a rugged, natural setting. The Forest manages two Off - Highway Vehicle areas. The most famous being Tellico OHV area located on the Tusquitee Ranger District an additional OHV areas is located on the Highlands Ranger District (Nantahala Ranger District).
Districts
Nantahala National Forest is divided into three range Districts, the Highlands (now Nantahala Ranger District) Ranger District (now consolidated with the Wayah Ranger District), the Tusquitee Ranger District, the Cheoah Ranger District, and the Nantahala Ranger District.
Download PDF 16-page 2009 Guide to the National Forests in North Carolina
For more details, go to the Nantahala National Forest website.
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