Just Outside The Great Smoky Mountains Is An Outdoor Adventure Resort Hub With Rafting And Riverfront Stays

Near Bryson City, North Carolina, the Nantahala Outdoor Center and the Nantahala Adventure Resort sits on 500 acres and offers whitewater rafting excursions, zip lining, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. The surrounding area offers even more to explore, from kayaking the Nantahala River and visiting Fontana Lake to hiking the Appalachian Trail and exploring the Nantahala National Forest. Guests can stay overnight in a variety of accommodations, eat at a riverside restaurant and pub, and book other activities to enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains.

The accommodations range from recently-built standalone cliffside guesthouse cabins to simple hostel-like dorm rooms and rustic camping spots. The Hemlocks are the most upscale option, letting you choose from one- or two-bedroom guesthouses with wrap-around porches that overlook the forest-covered hillside. The Trailside Cabins are a bit more private, complete with full kitchens and porches or decks attached to each cabin. Larger parties will enjoy the Dogwood Lodge boasting eight private rooms, allowing space for 26 people. For campers, rent a raised platform to pitch your tent or a spot to park your car.

The resort is about 80 miles, or roughly a 1.5-hour drive, from the nearest airport in Asheville. Travelers can fly in on Delta, American, and United Airlines, the major airlines that serve Asheville Regional Airport. Since public transportation doesn't continue from Asheville to the Nantahala Gorge area, renting a car is the most practical way to get around.

The center got its start with hosting whitewater rafting excursions in the early 1970s, and the activity remains a favored pastime at the resort today. You can either rent a raft or an inflatable kayak, or you can join a guided rafting trip with a trained expedition leader. The route covers about eight miles with roughly two hours on the water, ranging from beginner-friendly stretches to more challenging rapids. The trip will take you down the Nantahala River through the Nantahala National Forest, an East Coast mountain forest known for hiking, rafting, camping, and waterfalls.

For panoramic views of the Smokies and resort, glide through the treetops on the half-mile long Mountaintop Zip Line, a series of obstacle courses suspended high above the ground at the Treetop Adventure Park. It features more than 15 challenges spread across different heights in the treetops, with the option of entering the course by zip line. Guests can also explore via mountain bike on the Flint Ridge Trail, located right on the property. There are also biking trips with a guide to the nearby Tsali Recreation Area, a Smoky Mountains camping escape known for world-class mountain biking. 

Hikers can also reach the Appalachian Trail, which crosses the campus, or take a guided hike through Deep Creek to waterfalls inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Nearby, Fontana Lake is another Smoky Mountain getaway known for its mountain biking and kayaking opportunities. At the Adventure Center, you can rent a stand-up paddleboard or a single- or two-seater kayak for a two-hour cruise or three-hour tour of the lake. On your return, stop by the River's End Restaurant for a hearty American meal, or grab a pint at Big Wesser Riverside Pub.