Things to Do

top

Hiking

Hiking Trails & Waterfalls

With 40 percent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Swain County, many National Park trails are easily accessible from Bryson City. You’ll find a number of hiking trails in the Deep Creek area of the Park, less than 20 mins from Playin' Hooky Cabin, and also off Lakeview Drive (the “Road to Nowhere”) six miles north of Bryson City.

The Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 20 minutes from Playin' Hooky Cabin, serves as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and features a museum & historic buildings. Pick up maps and enlist the advise of a park ranger before beginning your day.

Download Park Trail Map >

DEEP CREEK WATERFALL LOOP
-easy, 2.5 miles

-passes Tom Branch Falls & Indian Creek Falls

-link trail map >

JUNEY WHANK FALLS TRAIL

-easy, 0.6 miles

-features Juney Whank Falls

-kid friendly trail

-link to trail map >

ROAD TO NOWHERE TRAIL
-easy, 3.2 mile loop

-features a tunnel w/rich history
-link to trail map >

INDIAN CREEK / SUNKOTA TRAIL

-moderate, 11.5 miles

-features Indian Creek Waterfall

-link to trail map >

CLINGMANS DOME TO ANDREWS BALD

-moderate, 3.6 miles

-panoramic 100 mile mountain views

-part of the 5.6 mile Forney Ridge Trail

-link to trail map >

APPALACHIAN TRAIL

-crossed at Clingman's Dome marking the highest point along its journey from Georgia to Maine

-link to trail map >

Discover even more trails in & around Bryson City at AllTrails.com

Scenic Drives

Western North Carolina is famous for its scenic mountain roads & spectacular views. You'll love the curvy mountain roads with seemingly endless mountain vistas, sparkling creeks & peaceful valleys.

The most well known drives take you through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala Gorge, to Fontana Dam on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Cherohala Skyway, down The Road to Nowhere, and along the infamous Dragon at Deals Gap.

NEWFOUND GAP ROAD

Take US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) north to the top of the Smokies. Enjoy the views at Newfound Gap & Clingmans Dome. Continue north on 441 into TN. At Sugarlands Visitor Center, go west on Little River Road to Cades Cove. Return the way you came.

ROAD TO NOWHERE

Just north of Bryson City, take a 6 mile drive into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park & end at the mouth of a tunnel. On the map, it is called Lakeview Drive, but to the citizens of Swain County it is The Road to Nowhere — A Broken Promise. It offers fantastic views of Fontana Lake & access to a number of hiking trails.

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

America's Favorite Drive ~ Blue Ridge Pkwy is an experience unlike any other: a slow-paced & relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas & close-up views of rugged mountains & pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. Check out

our blog post on the Parkway here.

Cherokee-to-Gatlinburg-View-from-Newfoun

Discover even more scenic drives in & around Bryson City at HERE.

Adventures

Family friendly whitewater rafting, tubing & more can be had on the Tuckaseegee River & at Deep Creek, less than 20 mins from the cabin. In the Fall, The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers sensational excursions you won't want to miss, including The Polar Express. If you're looking for a bit more of an adrenaline rush, soar above the trees while enjoying stunning views ziplining at the World Famous Nantahala Outdoor Center. Since you've come to Fisherman's Paradise, cast your line in the sparkling waters of Deep Creek or at Cooper Creek Trout Pond just down the road (poles & bait provided). Bass, rainbow and brown trout are stocked in the local streams and rivers. These and more adventures await you in Bryson City! Read on >

DEEP CREEK TUBING

10 minutes from Playin' Hooky Cabin, Deep Creek consists of two sections: A. The upper "whitewater" section which flows from Indian Creek through the narrow Deep Creek gorge and is a wild, bouncy ride. At the end, there is a deep swimming hole. B. The lower section which is wider, easier going and more appropriate for smaller kids. It ends at the parking lot. Tube rental companies dot the area or you can bring your own tube from home.

OCONALUFTEE RIVER TUBING

A short 15 minutes drive will take you to one of the purest rivers in the mountains where you can enjoy a tube ride that’s part rushing rapids, and part lazy ripples/swimming holes. The water ranges from ankle deep to chest high & flows over soft sand and flat, time-smoothed river rocks shed from the world’s oldest mountains. Tube rental companies transport you and your tube to a put-in spot and pick you up at the end of your ride. While tubing take a moment to enjoy the swimming holes and a trip off the rope swing.

NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER : KID ZIP - THE ONLY ZIPLINE FOR YOUNG ZIPPERS!

20 mins from the cabin, KidZip is a fantastic Aerial zipline playground for kids ages 4 to 12. Zip, Climb and Play in the trees on three different courses. Repeat as many times as you like for two hours. There are hangout places for parents, grandparents and others who just want to watch (you can even bring a picnic lunch).

NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER : CANOPY ZIP LINING

Experience the Nantahala Gorge and Smoky Mountains with a zip line adventure! Nantahala Outdoor Center offers a variety of itineraries on a 500-acre Bryson City campus, perfect for a half day, or combined with other river activities for a full day of fun.

WHITE WATER RAFTING : NANTAHALA RIVER

The scenic Nantahala River ranks among the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in the country. A perfect combination of exciting whitewater and placid pools, the Nantahala is a great introduction to the sport of whitewater paddling, and it's just a quick 20 minutes drive from the cabin!

COOPER CREEK TROUT POND

Just down the road from the cabin awaits some REEL family fun at Cooper Creek Trout Pond! This full service trout farm offers all the amenities in a beautiful mountain setting that includes hiking trails, waterfalls, and picnic tables. No license required, no limit, and all fishing equipment is provided. They are open year round. No reservations required.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN RAILROAD

All aboard! These roundtrip passenger excursions are day trips that can include a layover destination with epic themed twists such as Moonshine & Dine and The Polar Express. View the beauty from your train seat and experience the thrill of a true operational railroad! It’s a canvas of colors and a breath of fresh air- it’s the Great Smoky Mountains! Complimentary admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum with any train ticket purchase.

zip-line-adventure-park-guests-265x212@2

Food & Drink

Food & Drinks

When you're ready for a break from cooking at the cabin, we have cultivated a list of our favorite restaurants and Breweries in Bryson City.

In addition to charming small town restaurants and local breweries, Bryson City has a vibrant food truck scene. Regulars including The Red Chef, Cactus Kitchen and The Rice Wagon pop up downtown for lunch almost daily. (Follow our Instagram story for updates.)