Things to Do in Bryson City and Great Smoky Mountains

I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth: Bryson City, NC and the Great Smoky Mountains. I’m always asked for recommendations on what to do in the area so I have started this list. I’m updating it on a regular basis. All photography is my own. Thanks for visiting!

: Books and Guides on the Smokies

: Bryson City Outdoors

: GSM Park Service

Bryson City is a small town bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Tuckasegee River flows right through the center of town and empties into the Fontana Lake. I wake up every morning to the whistle of the train and the bustle of small town life. It’s an amazing place to visit if you love the outdoors with Deep Creek Campground nearby, the Nantahala River just a short drive away, and Tsali Recreational Park in between.

: The Road To Nowhere

: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

: Deep Creek Waterfalls

: Stand Up Paddleboard Rentals

: Kayaking on Fontana

: Fontana Dam

: Darnell Farms

: Cherokee Motels

: The Used Book Store

: Ghost Towns of Hazel Creek

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, with over 800 square miles of gorgeous wilderness, is the most visited national park in the United States. It straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina and is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains which are a division of the larger Appalachian Mountain chain. There are close to 850 trails for hiking and is one of the most ecologically diverse places on earth. It also has a rich cultural heritage with the Cherokee Reservation nearby and because the national park was all private land before its creation.