Smoky Mountains of NC
Ready for the best camping, hiking, kayaking, waterfalls, scenic drives & more? Visit & see why it's more fun to stay & play in the Smoky Mountains of NC.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has 700 miles of rivers and streams, 800 miles of hiking trails and 2000 acres of virgin forests.
Known by the Cherokee Indians as the “land of the blue mist,” North Carolina's Smoky Mountains honor their journey through art exhibits, museums and outdoor drama. It’s hard not to feel nostalgic here – especially if you explore 53 miles of scenic mountain terrain on a vintage locomotive. Those looking for a little luxury can give world-class gaming a try at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. But the natural beauty that first drew explorers is still preserved in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Land of the Waterfalls and the nation’s first fly fishing trail.
View Vacation Rentals in The Great Smoky Mountains
North Carolina Smoky Mountain Blueways 
The Cheoah, Little Tennessee, Nantahala, Oconaluftee and Tuskasegee Rivers flow through the North Carolina Smoky Mountains into Fontana Lake at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These rivers, lakes along the way and their watersheds encompass the Nantahala National Forest and two National Park units to create the "infrastructure" for the largest and most visited outdoor recreation area in the Southeastern US. The Great Rivers and Lakes of the Great Smokies creates the Smoky Mountain Blueway Trails.
Highest Elevation Mountain Peak
Our region of the Smokies has the highest-elevation mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rising to an elevation of 6,643 ft., Clingmans Dome is also the the third highest mountain peak in the Appalachian Mountain Range. On clear days views expand over 100 miles.
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad was completed from Knoxville, TN to Dillsboro, NC in 1883 and reached Andrews in 1890. The current Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, which began operations in 1988 as a tourist railroad, uses a route which passes through "fertile valleys, a tunnel, and across river gorges" in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina.
The Nantahala Outdoor Center 
Experience adventure with The Nantahala Outdoor Center, "One of the Best Outfitters on Earth," according to National Geographic Adventure magazine. It is also the nation's largest outdoor recreation company and was recognized by The New York Times as the "Nation's Premier Paddling School.
Cherokee
Cherokee is home to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Here you can experience the 18th.-Century lifestyle of the Cherokee at the Oconaluftee Indian Village and the tribal story of their history at the "Unto These Hills" outdoor drama. The Cherokee people love to laugh and have a good time. They will welcome you to experience their rich history and culture with a backdrop of stunning natural beauty.
Harrah's Cherokee Hotels & Casinos
Harrah's Cherokee Hotel & Casino, 21 stories high, offers luxury lodging and an upscale experience with 1,108 spacious rooms and breathtaking views. The Casino provides 150,000 sq. feet of gaming with live table games such as Blackjack, Roulette and Craps. A second location in the region, Harrah's Valley River Casino Hotel is located near Murphy and offers 60,000 sq. feet of gaming and 300 hotel rooms.
