NOC: Nantahala Outdoor Center Adventure Resort

The NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) Adventure Resort is paradise for outdoor lovers. In addition to rafting and kayaking on the Nantahala River, you can bike, shop, eat and hang out on the beach! Located just downstream from Nantahala Falls, it is tucked among steep, green mountains in the Nantahala Gorge, along the Appalachian Trail.

River Fun
Thousands of people flock to NOC on a busy summer day to kayak or raft down the river. The shimmering Nantahala River offers river rafting through rapids that are mild but exciting. Nantahala rafting features eight miles of practice on easy Class II rapids before splashing through the exciting Class III whitewater of Nantahala Falls. Both guided and self-guided trips are available - either on rafts or ducks (inflatable kayaks).

Private boaters are welcome to take out at NOC. NOC shuttles depart the rafting center for the put-in every half hour. On Saturdays from June until GAF (Guest Appreciation Festival), holidays and everyday in July, private boaters who have parked at the Wayah Road put-in can ride the shuttle free! On these high-traffic days the last shuttle back to the top will be at 6 pm. (See our Whitewater Rafting Guide for more rafting info.)

Mountain Biking
The mountains surrounding NOC offer some world-class mountain biking opportunities, with challenging terrain and great scenery. The NOC Bike Shop is a full-service stop for all of your cycling needs, both on and off-road. The Flint Ridge Trail at NOC is a relatively-new trail, designed specifically for mountain bikers. It features technical riding as well as some rolling single-track. From the Bike Shop, the ride is about 4.5 miles, with a loop at the end. Flint Ridge Special: After noon, a three-hour bike rental is half price! Just minutes from NOC is Tsali Recreation Area, regarded as the Southeast's mountain biking mecca. (See our Mountain Biking Guide.)

Kayak Rental
NOC offers two hour kayak rentals for you to explore at your own pace. Paddle all the way out to Bird Falls and soak up the scenery on the Nantahala River Channel on historic Fontana Lake.

NOC Restaurants
River's End: Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a menu that includes chicken biscuits to hand-pattied veggie burgers and their all-time favorites—sherpa rice, the big wesser burger and the cool jewel.

Slow Joe's: This open air cafe serves hot dogs, hot and cold sandwiches and salads. Quick and friendly service makes Slow Joe's a great option when you're hungry, not to mention being one of the best places to check out ducks and kayakers splashing in the river.

The Pourover: Slow Joe's transforms in the evening! After a great day of adventure activities, come up to The Pourover and enjoy local craft beers, wide screen TVs and live music.

Relia's: Overlooking a tiered garden of flowers and herbs, Relia's offers a mountain dining experience that is unforgettable. Choose from steak to trout, and all of the fresh, seasonal sides that our chef prepares to perfection.

Outdoor School Courses
Since 1972, NOC has been leading courses in whitewater kayaking, whitewater canoeing and river leadership. Over the year's they've grown to become one of the most convenient, comprehensive destinations for learning in the outdoors. At NOC, your learning is guaranteed by almost 40 years of experience as a leader in the outdoors. They are the top school for kayak instructors and raft guides, and a destination for backcountry leaders to get wilderness medicine certification.

Kayak Instruction: Recognized by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Outside magazine, NOC offers complete weekend or week-long clinics for beginners through advanced paddlers.

SOLO Wilderness Medicine: NOC has teamed up with SOLO to offer courses ranging from the basic Wilderness First Aid (WFA) through Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT).

Canoe Instruction: A classic way to get outdoors and explore the river, NOC leads solo and tandem workshops for canoe paddlers of all levels, beginner through advanced.

Photography Clinics: Like to experience your adventure from behind the lens? Travel to inspiring landscapes and learn methods from professional outdoor photographers.

River Leadership: At NOC, you can enroll in American Canoe Association Swift Water Rescue or a more-intensive River Rescue, or get professional-level training in Kayak Instruction and Raft Guide School.

Survival School: Learn to survive almost any situation in the outdoors. NOC's spring Wilderness Survival School is led by four experts in wilderness medicine and backcountry survival.

2013 Freestyle World Championships
The International Canoe Federation (ICF) – the sanctioning body for all world championship and Olympic canoe and kayak events – has announced that Nantahala River Gorge will be the site of the 2013 Freestyle World Championships. The event, tentatively scheduled for mid-September, is expected to draw up to 300 paddlers from 40-50 countries and spectators in the thousands. The Nantahala Gorge was selected alongside other international centers like Moscow, Prague and Toronto for events in eight other paddling disciplines. 

Directions from Asheville
(About 75 miles, but mostly four-lane roads) Take I-40 West toward Knoxville, TN. Take exit 27 onto US 74 West toward Waynesville. The Nantahala is located 50 miles down this road. Stay on 74 West. Eight miles west of Bryson City, the four-lane highway you are on will split into two 2-lane roads. Stay on 74, which is the left lane. Go another five miles. On the last descent you will see a yellow caution sign on the right indicating you are entering the Nantahala Gorge. Just after the sign you will see the Nantahala River, and NOC's Nantahala Outpost.

Go to NOC's Web site.