Glorious mountains create a backdrop for fun in Swain County, a year-round natural playground. With 85 percent of the county’s land within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s no surprise that you can take your love of the outdoors to the next level by hiking, biking, paddling, camping, horseback riding, and fishing. Pristine lakes and rivers draw anglers trying to catch “the big one,” whether that’s a rainbow trout or a largemouth bass. Thrill seekers flock to the Nantahala River, where whitewater rafting and kayaking steal the show.
When you’re ready for a picturesque downtown experience, head into Bryson City, where you can walk between shops, restaurants, inns, and a historic train depot. The iconic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad departs from town every season, taking passengers on a scenic ride through the national park. Ready to plan your visit? Read on for where to explore at the edge of western North Carolina.
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Take a mountain hike: With trails crisscrossing the county, you can reach breathtaking vistas and trek through the valleys of its creeks and rivers on foot. Along the family friendly Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop, access three distinctly different, but equally beautiful, waterfalls: Juney Whank Falls, Tom Branch Falls, and Indian Creek Falls. For a longer, more challenging trek, take the 3.5-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail to Shuckstack Fire Tower. From the top, you’ll be rewarded with views of Fontana Dam, Fontana Lake, and the Smoky Mountains.
Hike a short quarter-mile from the Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop parking lot to reach Juney Whank Falls. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Paddle whitewater rapids: Families can bounce along the mostly Class II rapids on a whitewater raft with an experienced guide. Trips include instructions, rafts, safety equipment, and transportation. Seasoned paddlers might prefer to paddle along the riverbanks of the surrounding Nantahala National Forest.
Float down the cool waters of Deep Creek while soaking up the serenity of the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Tube along Deep Creek: Snag a tube from a rental company near the Deep Creek entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Inside the park, follow the trail along the creek just past the first footbridge for a gentle float down the creek. More adventurous folks can continue to the next launch for a longer ride with a wilder start.
Cast your line by Tom Branch Falls to catch trout, bass, crappie, walleye, and more. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Try your hand at fly fishing: Did you know Bryson City is a designated Mountain Heritage Trout Waters town? Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the sport, you can fish on premier streams and rivers, like the Nantahala, with guides from local outfitters. Hone your skills or learn the basics of the sport as you wade in Deep Creek. Or take a float trip on the Tuckasegee River, which flows through Bryson City.
Summer fun: In the season of adventure, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad takes passengers through the Nantahala Gorge or along the Tuckasegee River. Special themed rides this season include Uncorked Wine and Dine and Spirits on the Rail.
Over the river and through the woods … the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad leads passengers to exclusive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Fall excursions: Chugging through the golds, reds, and oranges of the changing leaves, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad gives passengers spectacular views of the season’s splendor. Hop aboard, and you’ll learn about the history specific to this swath of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Winter wonders: Kicking off the season with The Polar Express, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad brings the beloved story to life, with mugs of hot cocoa, dancing chefs, and a visit from jolly old St. Nick. For a quieter, more intimate ride, climb aboard after the holidays, where you can enjoy the sculptural landscape as the forest sleeps.
Treat youngsters to a Polar Express-style experience during November and December. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Spring awakenings: Take a ride to Dillsboro on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad as nature comes back to life with leaves unfurling and flowers emerging. Once you arrive at your destination, the locally owned shops and restaurants of downtown Dillsboro await. Shop crafts made by regional artisans, then sample hand dipped chocolates after a tasty Texas-style barbecue meal.
Views from Kuwohi: Visit this lofty peak, the highest elevation in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 664 feet above sea level. This sacred location for the Cherokee people is also the highest point within the traditional Cherokee homeland. Climb the steep path to the observation tower to see many miles of the Smoky Mountains on clear days.
Climb to the observation deck at Kuwohi and be rewarded with miles of scenic views. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Horseback riding: Seasoned guides at Smokemont Riding Stables lead one- and 2.5-hour rides across rivers, through tunnels, and to waterfalls, allowing you to explore the park on horseback. This time-honored Smoky Mountain tradition pre-dates the rise of modern transportation.
Spot elk in Oconaluftee: After 200 years of extinction in the area, elk were reintroduced to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2001. Today, the elk herd has grown substantially, particularly in the Oconaluftee area, with frequent sightings in fields beside the Oconaluftee visitor center. These 600- to 800-pound creatures come out to graze in the cool dawn and dusk hours.
During misty mornings in the Oconaluftee area, you can spot herds of elk grazing in the fields. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
The Road to Nowhere: Six miles of an abandoned road project that began in the 1940s ends with an impressive tunnel. Although barricades prevent vehicles from entering the tunnel, you can walk through to reach trails that pass abandoned homesteads.
Tail of the Dragon: One of the most exciting and dangerous roads in the country, this 11-mile section of U.S. Highway 129 attracts driving enthusiasts and motorcyclists to test their abilities. Although beautiful views line the route, drivers must keep their eyes on the road to navigate the 318 curves and turns that cut a jagged path through the mountains.
The famed Tail of the Dragon packs scenic twists and turns into a short 11-mile stretch. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Blue Ridge Parkway: A sightseer’s dream, this famous roadway meanders from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, with numerous overlooks along the way. In Swain County, Woolyback Overlook, Waterrock Knob, and Cowee Mountain Overlook offer stunning views of the Smokies.
Newfound Gap Road: The scenic byway that connects Cherokee to Gatlinburg, Tennessee — a section of U.S. Highway 441 — takes motorists up the Great Smoky Mountains and over to their west-facing slopes. With many photo ops along the way, you’re sure to fill your camera roll with panoramic shots of the ridges and peaks from spots like Luftee Gap Overlook.
No hiking is required to reach the Luftee Gap Overlook along U.S. Highway 441. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Nantahala Gorge Scenic Byway: This 43-mile stretch of U.S. 74 between Whittier and Marble winds through Nantahala National Forest and along the picturesque Nantahala River. Pack lunch and stop at a picnic area along the way, where you can wave at the whitewater rafters and kayakers paddling by.
Breakfast bounty: When you wake up hungry and hankering for a cup of joe, you’ll find tasty choices nearby. Cardinal Coffee, within a humble early-1900s farmhouse, serves smoothies and New York bagels in addition to espresso drinks like mocha lattes. Everett Street Diner’s comfy atmosphere and home-style cooking invite you to try their country-version of eggs Benedict, topped with sausage gravy.
The early bird catches the … coffee! Just look for the North Carolina state bird to find your way toward a warm wake up. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Casual eats: In Bryson City’s quaint downtown area, you’ll find restaurants just right for an unfussy meal. Jimmy Mac’s eclectic menu includes elk burgers, catfish, fried mushroom caps, and BLTs. Stop by High Test Deli & Sweet Shop for a made-to-order sandwich, like their Cuban, stuffed with pulled pork, ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, pickles, spicy mustard, and hot garlic butter, pressed on Cuban bread.
Upscale occasions: Bryson City’s restaurants include rustic but refined options, suitable for a romantic night out or a celebratory meal. Within The Everett Hotel, The Bistro’s selection of seasonal, regionally sourced offerings include delights like wild boar and duck étouffée. Ambience at the seasonally inspired Dining Room at The Fryemont Inn complements its menu of local mountain trout, steaks, lamb shanks, and more.
Enjoy quiet luxury as you savor a seasonal meal inside the Fryemont Inn’s dining room. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Family-Friendly Spots: Dine with the fam at Anthony’s Restaurant and try The Fontana, a cheesesteak pie. Sit on the porch with your pup and you might see the train arrive at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad station across the street. And at River’s End Restaurant within the Nantahala Outdoor Center’s campus, you can savor a trout cake sandwich and a beer beside the sparkling river.
Gather on the porch at Anthony’s Restaurant and enjoy burgers, artisan pizzas, and platters of pasta to fuel your outdoor adventures. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Sweet treats: The Chocolate Shoppe, an old-fashioned confectionery, makes all sorts of treats, like chocolate-walnut fudge, pecan brittle, and caramel corn. Or for a novelty stop beside the Nantahala River, order at the window of the bright blue Slow Joe’s Donut Bus and then relax by the river with a glazed Fruity Pebbles doughnut in one hand and cappuccino in the other.
Extraordinary views: Creekside cabins beside sparkling streams; mountainside chalets with expansive views; and lakeside homes overlooking the water allow you to sip your morning coffee and lose yourself in the natural splendor you came to experience. Among the selection of short-term rental properties, you’ll find generous porches where you can see sunlight glinting off the lake, feel breezes from the river, or hear the rush of a creek.
Enjoy spectacular views of Lake Fontana from the porch of a lakefront rental cabin. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Historic stays: Tucked within Bryson City’s historic district in the 1905 Bryson City Bank building, The Everett Hotel offers 10 luxurious suites with rustic touches, complimentary breakfasts, and views from its rooftop terrace. The Folkestone Inn, created after the restoration of a 1920s farmhouse, provides gracious accommodations that include farm-to-table breakfasts and an idyllic rural locale.
The inviting yurts at Sky Ridge Yurts offer an outdoorsy getaway complete with WiFi, full bath, air conditioning, and kitchen facilities. Photography courtesy of Explore Bryson City
Glamp it up: If luxury and camping seem mutually exclusive, you haven’t found the right campsite yet. In Swain County, you can connect with nature during your visit at Elk Hollow, where their safari tents and yurts with king-size beds, spacious showers, and fully equipped kitchens will have you camping in comfort. Sky Ridge Yurts’ location on a mountain ridge promises fantastic views, and the well-appointed yurts are roomy enough to house the whole family.
As we slip into the season of changing leaves and cooler temperatures, chart your escape to Swain County’s secluded corner of the Smokies.
In this small town, it’s easy to love where you live. Outdoor adventures, tasty dishes, and colorful shops — all aboard to Swain County!
A trip to the Smokies is incomplete without a taste of the region’s iconic fish. Fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert angler to land a local trout.
This story was published on Jul 29, 2025
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