The Great Smoky Mountains National Park's half-million acres are equally divided between Tennessee and North Carolina. And with roughly forty percent of the Park in Swain County, Bryson City is the ideal spot for a relaxing Smoky Mountain vacation — away from the more carnival atmosphere of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Even though the GSMNP is the nation's most-visited national park, most visitors only experience a small portion of the Park. The most popular areas are along US 441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee and Cades Cove, but there's a lot more to see and do, particularly in North Carolina's half of the Park.

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest deep in the mountains of Graham County, a 3800-acre tract of the most beautiful forest in America, unmarred and undefiled by the hand of man. On July 30, 1936, the area was dedicated to the Poet, Joyce Kilmer as a living memorial. It was the simple but beautiful words of Kilmer in the Poem, "TREES" which prompted forestry officials and friends of nature to set aside the acreage, which now comprises the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Notice was served to the world that the exploitation and desecration of our forest lands had come to an end.

The place to begin is the Oconaluftee Visitors Center at the Park entrance on US 441 just north of Cherokee. There you'll find displays, maps, dozens of helpful publications and a staff of knowledgeable, helpful park rangers.

Mountain Farm Museum — In a field behind the Oconaluftee Visitors Center, the Park Service has recreated a late 19th century mountain farm with authentic log structures moved from their original locations throughout the National Park. One of the buildings, the John E. Davis farmhouse, originally stood in the Indian Creek/Thomas Divide area north of Bryson City.

Deep Creek — Less than two miles from downtown Bryson City, the Deep Creek recreational area of the Park offers activities for the entire family, including camping, hiking, trout fishing and the area's best whitewater tubing. From this entrance hikers can access the many backcountry trails that wind through the Park, or take a leisurely stroll along the creek bank and picnic by the water's edge. Deep Creek is probably best known for its three waterfalls — Juneywhank, Toms Branch and Indian Creek Falls. All are just a short walk from the parking area.

The Road to Nowhere — With so much to see and do in the Bryson City area, it is hard to imagine a day when you might have nowhere to go. But should that happen, there is always the Road to Nowhere, a scenic mountain highway that takes you eight miles into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends 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.

Fontana Lake North Shore — Forney Creek, Eagle Creek and Hazel Creek are three isolated areas accessible only by foot or by boat. Hazel Creek is where the logging town of Proctor once stood, with more than 2,000 residents at the turn of the century. Only a few remnants of that town remain.

Mingus Mill — A large water-powered mill for grinding corn can be seen in operation from mid-April through October. One-half mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitors Center on US 441.

Clingmans Dome — At 6642 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in the Smokies and the second highest east of the Mississippi (North Carolina's Mount Mitchell is 42 feet higher). From the parking lot, seven miles west of Newfound Gap, walk the steep half-mile path to the 54-foot observation tower for a 360-degree view of the Park. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular. The Appalachian Trail crosses Clingmans Dome, marking the highest point along its 2,144-mile journey. Closed from December 1 through April 1.

Cataloochee Valley — Once the largest settlement in the Smokies, this valley rivals Cades Cove with its beauty and its many preserved structures. It was there that Elk were re-introduced into the Park in 2001 and 2002. The animals are not frightened by humans and can be observed grazing in Cataloochee's fields almost any afternoon throughout the year.

Famous Trails in the Area

The Appalachian Trail has many trails in the area. The Stecoah Gap to Wesser hike is 13.5 miles and is the north to south route over Cheoah Bald. Cheoah Bald is the highest point of the Cheoah Mountains and the only 5000-foot peak between the Nantahala and Little Tennessee rivers. Mountain laurel covers the ridgetops on this hike, and flame azalea grows abundantly throughout the woods. This hike to the bald (actually an area at the summit cleared by the US Forest Service) is strenuous in either direction, but from north to south it has a unique variety of the Great Smoky Mountain foliage. The Tellico Gap to Wesser trail is 7.9 miles and is the south to north route, both terminating at the take out point of the Nantahala river. The great rivers of the southern Appalachians collect water from the eastern Blue Ridge and flow north or northwest, cutting deep valleys through the mountains. This hike descends into the valley of the Nantahala River, the land of the noonday sun. An elevation change of nearly 3000 feet and several steep, rocky sections make this a strenuous hike in either direction, but the views from Wesser Bald are well worth the hike.

The Bartram Trail follows the approximate route of eighteenth-century naturalist William Bartram’s southern journey from March, 1773 to January, 1777. Bartram explored much of the territory which is now the states of North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee. The Wayah Bald to Cheoah Bald trail includes 5,385 feet (1,641 m) Wayah Bald, which is the highest point on the trail. There is an optional 9 miles (14 km) canoe section on the Little Tennessee River and intersects the Appalachian Trail at Wayah and Cheoah Balds.