The Upper Nantahala is one of the most scenic rivers in the mountains with numerous waterfalls and cascades Between the lake and the gorge, the Nantahala River drops almost a thousand feet creating some of Western North Carolina's most spectacular cascades and waterfalls. In addition to world class fishing, the Upper Nantahala is also one of the most scenic mountain drives in the Southern Appalachians. For the less-adventurous, guided horseback riding is available at Nantahala Village Riding Stables on Hwy 19. Recreational Releases — Several times each summer, American Whitewater and Duke Energy open the tainter gates on Nantahala dam and transform the Upper Nantahala into a world class whitewater river with Class III+, IV and V rapids. Nantahala River Lodge is located in the Upper Nantahala Gorge – centrally located between Franklin, Bryson City, Andrews and Robbinsville. A section of the Bartram Trail stretches 21 miles (a two-night hike) from the Duke Energy Power Plant on Wayah Road to Wayah Bald. It may be fished only with artificial lures with one single hook (no natural bait). The Cherokee and their predecessors referred to these gorge as the “Canyon of the Noon-Day-Sun.” There are five fish/canoe/kayak access points along Wayah Road. Box 509Bryson City, NC 28713. A stone fire tower, built in 1937, is at 5342 feet elevation, the highest point. The Cherokee called the gorge ‘Nantahala’ which means “Land of the Noon-day Sun.”. The “Championship Wave” the competitors used is open for public use. The Upper Nantahala is 3.1 miles of road scoutable class III+, perfect for kayakers looking to advance their skills in continuous whitewater. Plan gear accordingly…. Wayah road hugs the river almost all the way to the mountaintop, with pull-offs along the way. Just because the river is suitable for families doesn’t mean it’s not exciting; canoe and kayak Olympians often train on the Nantahala.
Between the lake and the gorge, the Nantahala River drops almost a thousand feet creating some of Western North Carolina's most spectacular cascades and waterfalls. To serve both needs, the Nantahala River takes two separate paths below the dam. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. The Nantahala River Gorge. Rafting alone lures more than 200,000 paddlers every year making it one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in the Southeast. The Upper Pigeon provides a full dose of Class III excitement and Smoky Mountain scenery in just three short hours. Trouvez les Forêt Nationale De Nantahala images et les photos d’actualités parfaites sur Getty Images. Power generation is year-round. The Nantahala has been named one of the top trout streams in the country, and rated as one of the Top 100 Trout Rivers in North America by Trout Unlimited. The Upper Nantahala from the dam to White Oak Creek is classified as Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters with no size limit or bait restriction and a creel limit of seven trout per day. The Cherokee Indians referred to this gorge as the “Canyon of the Noon-Day-Sun.” Meaning that the sun only shines across the entire floor of the gorge during the noon-hour, because the george wall are steep and tall. But from March thru October, Duke schedules its power generation operations to provide flow releases for the Lower Nantahala’s rafting and kayaking activities. And a handicapped accessible fishing pier on Wayah Road about a quarter-mile above the power plant. The Lodge sits on two level acres with 1400 feet of frontage on the Nantahala River. Area Map, Copyright © 2019 Benjamin Prepelka    All Rights Reserved. The Upper Nantahala follows Wayah Road providing a scenic car-window tableau along the way. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. "Nantahala" is a Cherokee word meaning "land of the noon day sun," a fitting name for the Nantahala Gorge, where the sun only reaches to the valley floor at midday.The Nantahala National Forest was established in 1920 under authority of the 1911 Weeks Act. Promoted as one of the best trout fishing destinations in the country, the upper gorge is so steep river runners and paddlers avoid it, leaving the river cascades and shallow pools to sightseers and anglers. Most are easily seen from Wayah Road or Old RIver Road. Just because the river is suitable for families doesn’t mean it’s not exciting. Over the course of centuries, the Nantahala River carved out an eight-mile gorge so deep that many parts of it see direct sunlight for only a short time each day. Nantahala Gorge. Two-lane U.S. Highway 19/74, once part of the Trail of Tears, runs along the river, picnic areas dotting the route. The depth and flow of the Lower Nantahala is dependent on Duke Energy’s power generation schedule. Nantahala National Forest has developed a small park with family amenities for those who wish to view this spectacular wall of water. However, the Nantahala Gorge most frequently attracts visitors who prefer to be in and challenge the water's power rather than observe its splendor. The Lower Nantahala, along the floor of the Nantahala Gorge downstream of the power plant is also classified as Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters with no size limit or bait restriction and a creel limit of seven trout per day. The Upper Nantahala River Gorge is captivating, its beauty is unparallel with a paved road winding along the banks of its crystal white waters coursing thru the steep gorge. And there are strict seasonal restrictions between October and June. USGS 03505550 NANTAHALA RIVER NEAR HEWITT, NC. 12 miles from Bryson City and on the south side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the outpost is nestled in the Nantahala Gorge. This road is closed January thru March. 3. NOTE: any private boating activity on the river requires a USFS Nantahala River Permit (available at Nantahala Outdoor Center and Endless River Adventures). Free 2020 Travel Guide to the Smokies — Includes the Official 2020 All Aboard for the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. From Wayah Road, take Forest Service Road 69 4.3 miles to the parking lot. Location West of Bryson City on Wayah Road (State Road 1310, off US 19/74). Please enter your username or email address. The section of Upper Nantahala that follows Wayah Road above the Duke Energy Power Plant is classified as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters. The Nantahala River is rated as one of Trout Unlimited Top 100 Trout Rivers in North America. There is also the capability to set up elite slalom courses through Nantahala Falls, and the playhole near NOC has been tweaked through the years, hosting the Freestyle Kayaking World Championships in 2013. The depth and flow of the Lower Nantahala is dependent on Duke Energy’s power generation schedule. Upper Nantahala Delayed Harvest 4/4/15. About Nantahala Outdoor Center. It is nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains and the Nantahala National Forest. It has myriad small surf waves, forgiving eddy lines, and rapids with just enough power to challenge and entertain. The Cascades are 0.7 miles of easy to lap, high-quality class IV-V whitewater. But, don’t get the wrong idea. Further downstream, the thrill of whitewater draws in visitors by the thousands. The fish are accustomed to the recreational activity, however, so the fishing is not compromised. Bryson City - Swain CountyChamber of Commerce 210 Main StreetP.O. From the town of Nantahala to Wesser, Route 19/74 follows the Nantahala River where paddlers and rafting parties take on Nantahala whitewater. In 2013, the Gorge was the site of the International Canoe Federation’s Freestyle World Championships. The Upper Nantahala River is roughly 30 minutes from Bryson City, NC. Above the Nantahala Outdoor Center, the Flint Ridge Trail is open for public use. The Nantahala River Gorge occupies approximately 9 miles of the Nantahala River from the Beechertown power plant to the upper reaches of Fontana Lake. Two nationally-known trails pass through the Nantahala area. Available data for this site Click to hide station-specific text This station is operated in cooperation with Duke Energy. DID YOU KNOW: Nantahala means “Land of the Noon-Day Sun” in the Cherokee language. The Nantahala is the center of Bryson City’s most popular outdoor activities — whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip lining, fishing, jeep tours, horseback riding, hiking and gem mines. JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER Eight short miles north of … The Cherokee name Nantahala, Place of the Noonday Sun, well describes the upper Nantahala Gorge where its gorge walls are so narrow and steep the waters are only brightened by an overhead sun. The Nantahala Gorge is ideally set up for intermediate paddlers. The Lodge is about 80 miles SW of Asheville, 80 miles SE of Knoxville and about 160 miles North of Atlanta. The Cherokee name Nantahala, Place of the Noonday Sun, well describes the upper Nantahala Gorge where its gorge walls are so narrow and steep the waters are only brightened by an overhead sun. Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are marked with green-and-white signs that … At 3000 feet elevation, Nantahala Lake is the second highest lake in the eastern US — a crystal clear lake with boating, fishing and natural beauty. Other 2021 River Releases: Keller Williams Great Smokies. The other path is controlled by Duke Energy and scheduled to provide both power and a full flow for recreation. There are more parking areas, river viewpoints, waterfalls and picnic areas spaced out along the river, attracting more than just river-runners. A stone fire tower, built in 1937, is at 5342 feet elevation, the highest point. Birds & Botany of the Upper Nantahala with Doug Davis on May 18, 2019 in Franklin, NC at Alarka Expeditions. Rafting alone lures more than 200,000 paddlers every year making it one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in … Mist in Nantahala Gorge, where cold water is released from the dam . See map. When you venture up the mountain above the Nantahala Gorge, there’s an entirely different Nantahala — a scenic mountain river with world-class trout fishing. Join the Nantahala Outdoor Center for rafting on the Upper Pigeon River. But because this is where most of the rafting and kayaking activity occurs, the Lower Nantahala is the only stream in the state where night fishing is allowed. more, Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around North Carolina. Wildwater Nantahala Adventure Center: Nantahala River (Full River) Upper Tour - See 1,331 traveler reviews, 414 candid photos, and great deals for Bryson City, NC, at Tripadvisor. Combine those resources with the class IV-V options up… It may be fished only with artificial lures with one single hook (no natural bait). The Nantahala River is located in the Nantahala National Forest and flows from Macon County into Swain County, North Carolina. A perfect combination of exciting whitewater and placid pools, the Nantahala is a great introduction to the sport of whitewater paddling. And it’s the only lake in the South with a population of freshwater kokanee salmon. Fish in the lake include walleye, crappie, sunfish, trout, and bass. Our 3 bedroom cabin by the river offers the best in Nantahala Lodging and is perfect for Families, Friends and Fishermen. The Upper Nantahala’s flow is completely separate and is unaffected by Duke Energy’s releases. Easter weekend and the opening day of trout fishing on the state hatchery-supported streams kept many fly fishers on other streams. Choisissez parmi des contenus premium Forêt Nationale De Nantahala de la plus haute qualité. Above Nantalaha Lake, Wayah Bald offers spectacular panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains to the north and the Georgia mountains to the south. Even in the middle of summer, the water is cold! Two put-in areas, one in Beechertown (in name only) and the other at Ferebee Memorial Recreation Area, are maintained by the U.S. Nantahala Forest Service. Nantahala River - 28781 Real Estate. Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are marked with green-and-white signs that … While the schedule varies from month to month, the river is generally “turned on” mid-morning and “turned off” late afternoon. There are five fish/canoe/kayak access points along Wayah Road. The Nantahala River (/ ˌ n æ n t ə ˈ h eɪ l ə /) is a river in western North Carolina in the United States, within the Nantahala National Forest, and near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Carnage reel from the Upper Nantahala and Cascades release during NOC's 2012 Guest Appreciation Festival. NOC offers rafting trips on two sections of the Pigeon. Visit CommonAccess compliant version of this website. Really enjoyed our drive along this river on U.S. 74. Nantahala River Lodge, a unique riverfront, pet friendly cabin near Bryson City. The 2-mile pet-friendly trail (out and back) is perfect for walkers, bikers and strollers. And near the rafting put-in parking lot on Wayah Road, a foot bridge bridge leads to the Nantahala River Bike Trail, a wide, paved bikeway that follows the river. The Nantahala is the center of Bryson City’s most popular outdoor activities — whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip lining, fishing, jeep tours, horseback riding, hiking and gem mines.

The lower Nantahala is classified as Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters with no size limit or bait restriction and a creel limit of seven trout per day. The eight mile run is sprinkled with moderate Class II and III rapids, dependent on releases from Nantahala Dam. Over the course of centuries, the Nantahala River carved out an eight-mile gorge so deep that many parts of it see direct sunlight for only a short time each day. Bryson City is the “trout mecca capital” of the southeast. Nantahala Dam was completed in 1942 creating a reservoir that was critical to the success of defense projects for World War II. The dam allowed control of water not only for power usage, but also to provide recreational activities. Both the Appalachian and the Bartram trails cross Wayah Bald. The rest of the day there a long shadows along its length on either side of the gorge. And the Appalachian Trail can be accessed from Wayah Road southeast of Nantahala Lake and at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The Upper Nantahala from the dam to White Oak Creek is classified as Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters with no size limit or bait restriction and a creel limit of seven trout per day. And two of those outfitters also operate zip lines and canopy tours, as well as rope courses, adventure net play for kids and kids zip lines. The lower Nantahala is classified as Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters with no size limit or bait restriction and a creel limit of seven trout per day. Nantahala Outdoor Center's main campus, the Nantahala River Outpost is located in far Western North Carolina on US Highway 19. We custom designed and built our Nantahala River Lodge with reclaimed wood from our family’s North Carolina cabins and barn. A mecca for whitewater rafting and kayaking (equipment and guides are available only commercially, contact the Forest Service for information), the Nantahala Gorge is busy from "can-see" to "can't see" each day of the summer. Today it’s part of Duke Energy. Near the top of the mountain, at its confluence with White Oak Creek, the Upper Nantahala leaves Wayah The Cherokee name Nantahala, Place of the Noonday Sun, well describes the upper Nantahala Gorge where its gorge walls are so narrow and steep the waters are only brightened by an overhead sun. !NANTAHALA GORGE!!! A number of rafting and kayaking outfitters offer guided and self-guided trips down the lower Nantahala’s eight-mile whitewater venue. Featuring the only trout waters opened to night fishing in North Carolina, the state ensures river trout are replenished on a regular basis. Heavily influenced by the rippled land of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Nantahala River rises in a mountainous Macon County near the Georgia border and heads northward to eventually join the Tennessee River. When the river is turned “on” there’s a rapid rise of very swift water and anglers must share the river with kayakers and rafters. 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