Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Find Your Adventure

Bryson City is home to six access points to the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation's most visited national park. In addition to Oconaluftee at Cherokee, Clingmans Dome, the Road to Nowhere, and Deep Creek, you can also access the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after crossing Fontana Dam, on the Appalachain Trail, or by boat on a North Shore excursion, or on a guided hike to Hazel Creek.

Here, you will find an abundance of opportunities for outdoor fun, ranging from hiking, biking, horseback riding, tubing and other adventures. When you enter Bryson City, you’ll find a place literally surrounded by nature (87% of it is federal land) with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park just to the north, making it the ideal setting for a dreamy off-the-grid getaway.

Dogs are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, but must be kept on a leash at all times. The leash must not exceed 6 feet in length. Dogs are only allowed on the Oconaluftee River Trail or in the Deep Creek Picnic area. Dogs are prohibited on National Park Trails for a few reasons. Dogs can chases and threaten wildlife, bark and disturb the quietness of the wilderness, they may become prey for larger predators and dogs can carry disease into the wildlife populations. For more pet-friendly activities, visit our Pet Friendly page, and learn about all the trails and restaurants in our area that do allow pets.

Clingmans Dome

Known as the highest point of the Great Smoky Mountains with an elevation of 6,634…

Deep Creek

Deep Creek is known as one of the most stunning areas of North Carolina’s Great…

Road to Nowhere

Steeped in history, the Road to Nowhere is a scenic drive, hiking destination and…

Oconaluftee

Close to Bryson City in neighboring Cherokee, NC, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and…

Smokemont

Explore the Smokemont section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You'll…

North Shore

Explore the backcountry wilderness of the North Shore of Fontana Lake, within the…

Newfound Gap Road

Newfound Gap Road travels through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from…

Cataloochee Valley

Explore Cataloochee Valley for elk viewing, historic buildings, and a peaceful…

Cades Cove

Explore Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This expansive…

6 months ago

Spot the Majestic Elk of the Smokies: Where to Find Our Wild Neighbors

4 minute read

Many centuries ago, the range we now call the Great Smoky Mountains was full of roaming, majestic…

Newfound Gap Road

A 33 mile scenic drive through the high elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Clingmans Dome Road

Clingmans Dome Road takes you on a scenic journey to the highest point in the Smokies.

Little River Road

This 18-mile scenic drive dead-ends at Cades Cove, and provides spectacular scenery, including overlooks, a tunnel, river scenes, trailheads, picnic areas, campground access points and even a waterfall – Meigs Falls - that can be seen…

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Tour

The 5.5-mile-long, one-way, loop road is a favorite slow drive for many people. It offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and several well-preserved log cabins, grist mills, and other historic buildings.