9 Of The Best Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains 

Discover Serious Fly Fishing

Fly fishing for Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout is unlimited in the Great Smoky Mountains. Choose wading, floating, catch-and-release, or keeping, and conditions.

Experience Lake Life

Swim, boat, paddleboard, and fish in the clear mountain lakes like Nantahala and Santeetlah. For a deeper nature experience, consider a lakeside camping trip at Fontana Lake.

Go Chasing Waterfalls

Travel the 98-mile Waterfall Byway on Rte. 64 to view over 200 waterfalls. Many falls are accessible directly from parking areas, making it easy to enjoy their beauty without extensive hiking.

Take a Hike

Western North Carolina offers diverse hiking trails with stunning scenery. From challenging hikes with panoramic views to trails perfect for bird-watching and wildflower viewing, there’s a trail for everyone.

Mountain-Bike for YEW!

The NC Great Smoky Mountains is a prime location for mountain biking, with exhilarating trails like those at Tsali Recreation Area. Enjoy 40 miles of off-road biking with thrilling single tracks and scenic views.

Celebrate 50 Years of Adventure at the Nantahala Outdoor Center

More than 120 NOC activities include ziplining, kayaking, and whitewater rafting.

Witness the Rebirth of the American Elk Population

Cataloochee Valley elk now roam freely after nearly going extinct. View these beautiful animals from a respectful distance in the morning or afternoon.

Experience the Great Smoky Mountains on Horseback

Enjoy a leisurely horseback ride through North Carolina’s national forests, immersing yourself in nature’s sights and sounds at a relaxed pace.

Go Primordial in Old-Growth Forests

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest in Nantahala National Forest is an undisturbed old-growth forest. Since 1936, it has been a natural asset protected from logging and development.