48 hours in Bryson City
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) attracts more than 12 million visitors every year, making it the most popular national park in the country. Sections of the park can get crowded and some of the gateway towns that line the park can feel like a theme park. But there are no mini golf courses or animatronic dinosaurs in Bryson City, a small town that sits on the North Carolina side of GSMNP. All you’ll find here is a charming downtown within striking distance of some of Western North Carolina’s signature adventures. Some of the national park’s best trails sit just outside of the town’s limits, while the expansive Fontana Lake offers 240 miles of undeveloped shoreline to explore. There’s more hiking and mountain biking in the Nantahala National Forest, adjacent to town, as well as class III whitewater boating on the Nantahala River. Bryson City is a true hidden gem that’s off the beaten path, but also puts you in the heart of North Carolina’s mountains.
Mark Van Osdal
meet the local
Mark Van Osdal is the founder and owner of Carolina Bound Adventures in Bryson City, a guide service, outfitter and vacation concierge provider. He has more than 26 years of experience exploring and guiding in Western North Carolina, and loves the mountains surrounding Bryson City because of the biological diversity.
“There is a vast array of plant and animal life here due to its varied elevations, abundant rainfall and old growth forests,” Van Osdal says, adding that he enjoys waking up early for sunrise in the mountains. “Seeing the Smokies rise in the morning is one of the most magical sights you’ll ever witness.”
Mark Van Osdal: Two Days of Adventure and Stewardship in Martin County
day one
morning adventure
Mountain biking is the perfect adventure for those looking for a little adrenaline. Tsali Recreation Area has more than 20 miles of singletrack on a peninsula that juts into Lake Fontana. The trails are fast and flowing as they wind through a thick forest with the occasional overlook of the lake. Carolina Bound Adventures has bike rentals and guided trips. You can help preserve this system of singletrack by staying on established trails and only taking breaks on durable surfaces, like rock outcroppings.
Lunch Break
Pick up some sandwiches at High Test Deli on Everett Street and head over to Island Park, a city park on the Tuckasegee River, which runs through the middle of town. The park sits in the middle of the mild river and is only accessible by foot bridge. There are picnic tables and places where you can wade into the river or cast a fly line. When you’re done with lunch, you can help preserve this small, wild island by Trashing Your Trash, and carrying everything that you brought into the park out with you.
afternoon adventure
No visit to Bryson City is complete without exploring Fontana Lake, a 29-mile-long gem of a lake that stretches from the edge of Bryson City into Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest. Because it’s surrounded by public land, the 240-miles of shoreline are unspoiled so you’ll have uninterrupted mountain views as you explore the various fingers of the lake that spread out into narrow, remote coves. If you decide to paddle without a guide, Plan Ahead and Prepare by bringing the proper safety equipment and packing essentials like water, maps and food.
dinner
Wrap up the day with a visit for dinner at the historic Fryemont Inn, which is known for their mountain trout, and then hit a local brewery like Mountain Layers Brewing Company. They have music on Fridays and Saturdays. Bryson City Outdoors has a fabulous tap room too.
spend the night
Many visitors choose to book a cozy mountain cabin with a fireplace and hot tub. Cherokee Bluff Cabin Rentals has a variety of secluded options with wonderful mountain views, so you can end the night stargazing from the deck, toasting S’mores and listening to the sounds of the mountains.
day two
Morning Adventure
Grab a breakfast bar, cup of yogurt or Pop Tart and meet your Carolina Bound Adventures Guide at the Deep Creek trailhead in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Kick off your morning with a guided hike to three waterfalls learning about the local history of the Cherokee People and pioneers who lived here, mountain ecology and wildflowers. The Smokies are one of the most diverse landscapes in the world, and you can help maintain that diversity by Leaving It As You Find It. Instead of picking flowers or keeping rocks, snap pictures of what you see so others can enjoy the scenic views.
lunch break
You might need something healthy and hearty after that bike ride. I suggest getting lunch at The Rice Wagon, a food truck serving Asian-inspired Hawaiian dishes behind Mountain Layers Brewing Company in downtown.
Afternoon adventure
If you’re looking for a bit of excitement, spend the afternoon rafting the Nantahala River, which offers eight miles of class III whitewater cutting through the heart of a scenic gorge. It’s family-friendly whitewater at its finest, appropriate for anyone seven or older. You can do a fully guided trip, or a non-guided trip where you’re in charge of your boat. The Nantahala is a popular destination, so Share the Outdoors and Be Considerate of Others while you’re rafting by giving other boats enough space to enjoy the river on their own terms.
bonus adventure
A portion of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) runs outside of Bryson City giving you an opportunity to experience this world-famous footpath for yourself. Consider taking a guided sunset hike along the A.T. to a historic fire tower for a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains as the sun sets. Afterward, you’ll hike down an old roadbed with headlamps and a hiking poles.
You’re invited to join the outdoor nc movement
Join the movement to preserve and protect North Carolina’s beloved outdoor spaces and you’ll be entered to win a ENO double nest hammock and hanging straps! Together we can preserve our beloved outdoor spaces for generations to come. Click to learn more.