Family-Friendly Adventure Just a Stone’s Throw from Gatlinburg

If your dream vacation includes a water-soaked plunge down a
raging river or a bike ride along a secluded mountain trail, then
don’t miss the Nantahala Outdoor Center, where adventure awaits
the active family. Located within easy driving distance of the
popular Gatlinburg, Tenn. area, this North Carolina attraction is
perfect for a day trip.

Getting there Really is Half the Fun

Start your day with a drive through some of nature’s most
beautiful scenery. As you travel through the heart of the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll see stunning vistas spread
before you from the top of every rise. Encompassing more than 800
square miles of wilderness, the park is home to many thousands of
species of plants, trees, and wildlife, so even a short excursion
will be memorable.

A Different View of the Mountains

Arriving at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, you’ll enjoy the
scenery from a different perspective. Strap on your life jacket
and get ready for a whitewater rafting adventure that will leave
you breathless – and soaked to the skin! Whether you’re new to
the sport or have logged many miles in a raft, you’ll find the
perfect level of adventure on one of six area rivers.

Nantahala Outdoor Center’s experienced guides will lead your
group on an outdoor thrill ride through a spectacular wilderness
setting. Children as young as seven will enjoy their first
whitewater trip on the mild and scenic Nantahala River, where
eight miles of family-friendly rapids lead up to the Class III
grand finale at Nantahala Falls. For the more adventurous, a
white-knuckle trip along the Chattooga River is one
heart-stopping rapids after another. Whichever you choose,
though, you’ll get a glimpse of nature that’s unmatched anywhere
else.

Or spend the day paddling along the shores of a quiet mountain
lake in your own personal kayak. Explore the hidden coves and
shallows of Fontana Lake while learning about the history of the
area from your guide. Kids as young as four will enjoy this easy
half-day tour that includes plenty of opportunities to spot the
wildlife that call the area home.

If you prefer to take in the scenery from dry land, be sure to
check out the mountain biking at Nantahala Outdoor Center.
Several miles of trails crisscross the landscape, offering
everything from flat and easy paved tracks to brutal climbs into
the hills. This is your chance to see ancient forests largely
untouched by human hands, and enjoy the quiet sounds of area
wildlife as they go about their busy days. Bring your own or rent
a top-quality bike from the NOC Bike Shop.

The Great Smoky Mountains offer an endless variety of
family-friendly adventures. Gatlinburg’s central location makes
for an easy day trip into the surrounding wilderness where you’ll
be inspired by the beauty of nature and invigorated by the quiet
that surrounds you. Whether you choose to float serenely on the
edges of a calm lake, or hurtle along a mountain river at
breakneck speeds, one thing is certain: you won’t soon forget
your vacation in the Smokies.