Activities
Local Activities and Attractions
Welcome to Nantahala Village
ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS
Take your next vacation, reunion, business meeting, club activity or wedding to a whole new level at Nantahala Village.
On Site Activities
Outdoor Swimming Pool
(Seasonal)
Swimming pool with recreation and fitness room. Village guests are welcome to use any of these pool, and don’t worry if you did not bring equipment. You may borrow equipment simply by asking the Front Desk staff.
Tennis Courts
(Seasonal)
The Village has two tennis courts and rackets for guest use. The grounds feature an open grassy area for volleyball over by the pond (not available during weddings or other events located in the wedding meadow).
Village guests are welcome to use any of these recreational courts, and don’t worry if you did not bring equipment. You may borrow equipment simply by asking the Front Desk staff.
Walking Trails
Beautiful Smoky Mountain Area
Should you wish to explore this beautiful Smoky Mountain area, there are whitewater rafting outfitters, zip-lines, miles of hiking and biking trails, premier trout streams, The Smoky Mountain Railroad, Bryson City shopping and Bryson City dining just minutes away. Or test your engines on the Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway or many other nearby scenic mountain roads. Visit the towns of Bryson City and Cherokee for authentic handcrafts, dining and historic experiences.
Game Room
with Pool Tables
Newly remodeled, the Nantahala Village Game Room is a non-smoking, kid friendly environment with good ole family fun games like, ping-pong, air hockey and foosball. There’s plenty room for card games or board games which are available for guest use from the front desk. Hours vary for the Game Room according to the season.
Basketball Courts
(Seasonal)
The Village has basketball court and game equipment for guest use.
Village guests are welcome to use any of these recreational courts, and don’t worry if you did not bring equipment. You may borrow equipment simply by asking the Front Desk staff.
Tommy’s Paradise
Mixology Bar & Outdoor Grill
Come join Tommy’s Paradise Mixology Bar for a drink with a beautiful view of Nantahala National Forest!
Great place to have a drink and listen to some tunes. Creative cocktails in quaint outdoor bar.
Karoke nights every Thursday
Live music every Friday & Saturday
Fitness Room
Adventure Guide
For the fitness enthusiast, we offer fitness center. The Fitness Room is next to the Game Room by the Pool with a relaxing view and privacy. Equipped with jogging, climbing and cycle machines, weight machines and free weights, a work out can be exactly what you are used to.
Village guests are welcome to use any of these recreational courts, and don’t worry if you did not bring equipment. You may borrow equipment simply by asking the Front Desk staff.
Horseback Riding
(Seasonal)
The Nantahala Village Riding Stable is located on the property and is available to guests and the public. The Loftis family operates the stable and offers guided trips on trails in the Nantahala National Forest. No experience is necessary for your Western style trail ride. You are sure to enjoy views of Fontana Lake and some guests see (and hear!) the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad as it begins its journey through the Nantahala Gorge.
Full Bar and Restaurant
(Seasonal)
Casually elegant dining with a simple but delicious menu. The wine list
offers numerous choices to pair with your meal, there is locally brewed beer on tap as well as full
bar service
Nearby Activities
Whitewater Rafting
(Seasonal)
Eight miles of rushing water make the Nantahala River a delight for all ages and groups interested in an exhilarating introduction to whitewater rafting; the closest, and most recommended, Wildwater Rafting being only 1 mile awayThe trip takes over 3 hours and contains numerous class I and II rapids, with a class III at the end. There are many rafting companies throughout the gorge, the closest being only 2 miles away from the Village. The Nantahala River is perfect for rafting, kayaking and even duckies!
Lakes and Boat Rentals
(Seasonal)
Lakes End Marina has been offering top quality rental ski boats, pontoons/tritoons, and wakeboard boats.
With wide variety of Lake Nantahala boat rentals, you and your family will have a great day on the water. Whether you want to ski, tube, cruise, canoe, kayak, paddleboard, sail, fish, swim or just take in the sights, you will find what you need at Lakes End Marina.
The Dragon Tail
America’s # 1 motorcycle road
Designated US 129, the road is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest with no intersecting roads or driveways to hamper your travel. It is considered “the destination” for thousands of motorcycle and sports car fans throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Can you brave it? It’s best to be cautious as the turns are tight, but the Tail of the Dragon is guaranteed to be the ride of your life.
Breweries & Wineries
Brewing Capital of the Southeast
Western North Carolina is the brewing capital of the Southeast, with over one hundred locally brewed craft beers available from microbreweries in Bryson City, Andrews, Franklin and Asheville.
Nantahala Brewing:
Nantahala Brewing artfully brews award-winning, unfiltered ales made with fresh hops, whole grains and clean, crisp Great Smoky Mountain water, from one of the purest, protected watersheds on the planet. The brewery is located at in the heart of Bryson City at 61 Depot Street (across from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Our Tap Room is open year around with seasonal hours.
Heinzelmannchen Brewery:
In a microbrewery in downtown Sylva, NC, German-born brewmeister Dieter Kuhn and his wife Sheryl Rudd are creating light and refreshing German beer made with wholesome grains, fresh hops and no preservatives. All beers are keg conditioned and non-filtered, making them smooth and lighter in body. Stop by the brewery for a tasting and tour.
Calaboose Cellars:
Just 20 minutes from Nantahala Vlllage in the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains, there’s an old stone building with bars on the windows that overlooks a small vineyard. Legend has it that the local lawman locked up the hooligans there to cool down until they went before the magistrate. Now the calaboose is used to incarcerate wine before it makes its escape! Calaboose Cellars is the smallest free-standing complete winery in America.
Tom Branch Falls
Easy trail
Toms Branch Falls is accessed via the Deep Creek Trail, which was one of the first trails constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the newly legislated national park in the early 1930s. The current Deep Creek Campground also served as the site for the Deep Creek Civilian Conservation Corps Camp from 1933 to 1936.
Clingmans Dome
Highest Point in Tennessee
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. Only Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) and Mt. Craig (6,647), both located in Mt. Mitchell State Park in western North Carolina, rise higher. The observation tower on the summit of Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond for visitors willing to climb the steep half-mile walk to the tower at the top.
On clear days views expand over a 100 miles. Unfortunately, air pollution often limits viewing distances to under 20 miles.
Zip Lining
Adventure Tour
Part eco-tourism, part adventure tour, zip lines offer an opportunity to soar through a forest with a unique perspective of the land below you. Wildwater is within 10 minutes of Nantahala Village and offers some of the best service in the gorge.
Fly Fishing
(Seasonal)
Western North Carolina boasts some of the best trout and small-mouth bass fishing in the Southeast. The Nantahala River is just 4.5 miles from our main lodge, and is destination for avid fishermen. There are the options for fly fishing instruction for new enthusiasts and professional guide service for seasoned anglers.
Kayaking
(Seasonal)
Enjoy whitewater kayak instruction and quality white water adventure vacations. Just 1 mile from our main lodge, Wildwater Kayaking headquarters is strategically based in the Nantahala Gorge.Nantahala Gorge is the epicenter for whitewater kayaking and outdoor vacations near the Smoky Mountain National Park. Enjoy white water rafting and kayaking on three remarkable rivers in our area: the Nantahala River, the Cheoah River and the Ocoee River.
Bryson City
20 Best Small Towns to Visit
With the motto: Have a big vacation in a small town, Bryson City is a peaceful mountain town bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with unique shops, galleries, lodging and restaurants. Bryson City was named on of the “20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2016” by the Smithsonian.
Bryson City feels like a place in a pleasant state of perpetual motion. The town is the hub of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which offers a range of regular runs on the rails, along with the stellar Smoky Mountain Trains Museum. It’s also a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and home to the nearby Nantahala Outdoor Center, a world-renowned base for white-water rafting, kayaking, and mountain biking.
Fontana Dam
Tallest dam in the Eastern US
At 480 feet high, Fontana is the tallest dam in the Eastern United States. The dam was constructed by the Tennessee Valley Authority during the early 1940s to supply electricity to fuel the war effort during World War II. Open for visitors May thru September, and about 30 minutes from Nantahala Village.
Biltmore House
George Vanderbilt’s extraordinary home
Explore George Vanderbilt’s extraordinary home, beautiful gardens, and Antler Hill Village & Winery, nestled on 8,000 acres in the mountains of Asheville, NC. George Vanderbilt’s 250-room mansion is virtually the same as it was at the turn of the 20th century. Sculptures, paintings, furnishing, and household items have been carefully preserved. Tour the gardens and the winery, and enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal or a sandwich in one of several restaurants. Asheville is just an easy hour and a half drive from Nantahala Village making this unique opportunity an easy day trip.
Gatlinburg
1.5 hours from Nantahala Village
Gatlinburg, a mountain town in eastern Tennessee, is known as a gateway to the roughly 520,000-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many of its key attractions offer sweeping views of the neighboring park, including the 407-ft. Space Needle observation tower and the Sky Lift, a 2.1-mile aerial cable car that journeys from Downtown to the popular amusement park and ski resort Ober Gatlinburg.
Scenic Train Rides
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
With 53 miles of track, two tunnels and 25 bridges, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will take you on a memorable journey through a remote and beautiful corner of North Carolina. Ride into river gorges, across valleys and through tunnels carved out of majestic mountains.
The Railroad offers a variety of scenic, round-trip excursions departing from Bryson City. Trips range from 3 ½ hours to a full day of fun and adventure.
Golf
(Seasonal)
There are 3 golf courses within 1 hour of Nantahala Village.
Smoky Mountain Country Club:
Nestled in one of North Carolina’s most dramatic mountain valleys, surrounded by 5,000 foot peaks is Smoky Mountain Country Club, a golf and vacation destination convenient to the recreation and sights of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Sequoyah National Golf Club:
Nestled among the oak, fir and flowered valleys in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains resides Sequoyah National Golf Club. Owned by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee, this Robert Trent Jones II design offers golfers an idyllic 18 hole journey, filled with scenic vistas, beautiful landscapes and challenging golf – featuring a pro-shop, snack bar, rental clubs (Callaway), lessons, driving range.
Cherokee Hills Golf Course:
Cherokee Hills is a fun 18 hole regulation course located at the Cherokee Hills Country Club facility in Murphy, NC. From the longest tees it features 6,324 yards of golf for a par of 72. The course was designed by William Wells and opened in 1969. The course rating is 70.0 with a slope rating of 113. Cherokee Hills is a daily fee golf course with an ‘Open To Public’ guest policy.
Cherokee
20 minutes from Nantahala Village
Cherokee
No visit to the Smoky Mountains would be complete without a trip to Cherokee, where traditional arts and crafts and Native American culture are respected and preserved for coming generations. Many authentic experiences await you in Cherokee including: The Museum of the Cherokee Indian; Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama; Oconaluftee Indian Village; and the Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual. Cherokee is 20 minutes from Nantahala Village.
John C. Campbell Folk School
Just 45 minutes from Nantahala Village
Visit the John C. Campbell Folk School located in scenic Brasstown, North Carolina, just 45 minutes from Nantahala Village. The Folk School is best known for its year-round weeklong and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography and writing, but you are welcome to go for a visit to the Craft Shop, or for their concerts and dances. The Folk School’s Craft Shop represents over 300 local and regional craftspeople and offers everything from decorative jewelry to functional fireplace poker sets, pottery, turned wood bowls, and fiber creations like scarves and table linens. The Folk School’s free Friday night concert series features some of the finest regional and national acts performing old-time, bluegrass, folk, gospel and Celtic music. Community dances are usually held every other Saturday evening and are relished by local residents and visitors who enjoy contra and square dancing to live music. Numerous walking trails meander the 300-acre campus, including the Rivercane Walk, a creekside trail with art honoring the Cherokee heritage of the Appalachian area.
Nantahala National Forest
Hiking, Camping and Picnic
The Nantahala National Forest lies in the mountain and valleys of southwestern North Carolina. The largest of North Carolina's four National Forests, the Nantahala encompasses 531,148 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet in Cherokee County along Hiwassee River. The Forest is divided into three Districts, Cheoah in Robbinsville, NC, Tusquitee in Murphy, NC, and the Nantahala in Franklin, NC.
Pigeon Forge
1.5 hours from Nantahala Village
Pigeon Forge, a mountain town and vacation area in eastern Tennessee, is the home of Dollywood, country singer Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed park consisting of rides, an adjoining water park and a museum of her costumes and memorabilia. The city’s other attractions include country music revues like the Smoky Mountain Opry, dinner theaters such as Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and outlet malls.