NOC: Nantahala Outdoor Center Adventure Resort

The NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) Adventure Resort in the Nantahala Gorge 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 along the Appalachian Trail.

Nantahala River Whitewater Rafting
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). Go to NOC's Web site to book a river trip!

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.)

NOC's Mountaintop Zip Line Tour
New for 2013! Zip two miles of lines high above the Nantahala Gorge. This three-hour guided canopy tour traverses NOC's remote Townhouse offers panoramic views of both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala National Forest. Ten zip lines, including a half-mile zip 350-feet above the creek below, and two observation towers offer excitement and awe-inspiring views. See more details below in box!

NC 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. Go to NOC's Web site for more.

2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships
Coming on September 2-8! See below for more event info.

NOC Restaurants on Nantahala River NC
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.

NOC Nantahala Adventure Resort 2013 Special Events
Go to NOC's Web site for more.

Bank of America US Open
March 23-24, 2013: Elite level slalom and wildwater racing returns to the Nantahala River. Come out to support America's top paddlers in one of their final race leading up to the 2013 US Team Trials. The US Forest Service viewing platform offers great spectator access to the races, allowing fans to get right up close to the most dynamic part of the course. Just downstream, River's End Restaurant offers a great place to relax after the race with hot chocolate, cold drinks, and plenty of hot entrées for hungry racers and spectators alike.

Appalachian Trial Founder's Bridge Festival
April 4-6, 2013: 2013 AT Jamboree features outdoor adventure-themed film screenings, a vendor village staffed by industry representatives, gear repair, a trail maintenance trip and phenology training session with the Appalachian Trail Concervancy, plus product giveaways, door prizes and live music. Read more about it.

2013 USA Canoe/Kayak Freestyle Team Trials
April 26-28, 2013: Freestyle kayaking is coming to the Nantahala to choose its national team in 2013! Top paddlers from around the country gather in the Nantahala Gorge to duke it out for their chance to compete at the Freestyle World Championships this coming September. Event will include elite and open competition as well as NOC's Spring Fling, a celebration of the changing season in Appalachia, including outdoor & paddlesports vendor fair, free demos of the season's must have new gear, craft fair, and live music. Read more about Demo Days & Kayak Shootout.

NOC's Summer Music Series
May-September 2013: Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the summer, jam out to great regional bands at NOC's outdoor, riverside café. Enjoy our fine selection of local craft beers, good food, and good company as NOC hosts more live music than ever before.

2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships
September 2-8, 2013: NOC welcomes the biggest kayak festival of the year as elite freestylers from around the world converge on the Nantahala to vie for the title of World Champion. But the 2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships aren't just about kayaking. Spectators can expect interactive educational activities for children and teens, Appalachian Heritage Festival featuring renowned local artisans and musicians, and plenty of contests, races and activities open to spectator participation. Read more about World Freestyle Kayaking Championships 2013.

Guest Appreciation Festival
September 27-29, 2013: NOC thanks our loyal guests for another great year with this weekend festival featuring unbelievable discounts on outdoor gear and gifts, live music and entertainment for the whole family, as well as food and beer specials throughout our Wesser Campus. Expect plenty of kid's activities, contests and games, as well as on-the water competitions and adult-only treats like beer-tastings dance parties into the night. Read more about the NOC Guest Appreciation Festival.

NOCtoberfest
October 26, 2013: Weekends in October, enjoy indian summer at NOC with a german-style beer garden set on the bank of the Nantahala River. We'll be serving up seasonal treats, craft brews, and plenty of crisp mountain air. On Saturday, October 26th, bring the whole family for a day-long celebration featuring the Flint Ridge 5-Mile Trail Race, pumpkin decorating, costume contest, and of course The Great Pumpkin Pursuit, the most hilarious kayak treasure hunt ever to haunt the Nantahala.

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. Go to NOC's Web site for more.

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.

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 for more.