On the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you'll find some fantastic small towns that are perfect basecamps for your vacation and adventures in the Smokies. While there are no hotels or restaurants inside the national park, find many lodging options nearby. Also find plenty of restaurants, attractions and things to do in these towns.
The Great Smoky Mountains Expressway connects Asheville to the national park for easy driving. The 4-lane highway begins at Exit 27 on I-40, west of Asheville, and runs 43 miles to the Nantahala Gorge. Along the way, it takes you by Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Sylva, Dillsboro, Cherokee and Bryson City.
From these towns, find five entrances into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
- Newfound Gap Road, US Highway 441: The most popular entrance to the park on the North Carolina side begins in Cherokee, home to many family motels, cabin rentals and Harrah's. Find museums, restaurants and plenty of souvenir shops.
- Deep Creek: Home to popular river tubing, waterfall hikes, campground and more, it's just 3 miles from downtown Bryson City - home to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, brewery, outfitters and plenty of cabin rentals.
- Lake View Drive: Also 3 miles from downtown Bryson City is the Lake View Drive entrance to the national park - better known as the Road to Nowhere since the six mile road was never completed. Read more.
- Fontana Lake: To reach the most remote areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, rent a boat on the big and beautiful Fontana Lake. From Robbinsville, you are about 20 miles from either the Almond or Fontana Village Marinas.
- Cataloochee Valley: This more secluded cove is home to elk, camping, historic buildings and hiking trails. The entrance is near the towns of Maggie Valley and Lake Junaluska.
See our Great Smoky Mountains Vacation Guide to play your trip.
Great Smoky Mountains Small Towns NC
Sylva
Home to NC's most photographed courthouse, perched on a hill overlooking the busy historic Main Street with fantastic restaurants, breweries, general store, shops and festivals. Film location for 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing. Home of Fly Fishing Trail too.
Bryson City
Find much to do! Ride the train on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad before you explore their downtown shops and galleries, or paddleboard down the river. Nearby Deep Creek in the Smokies features camping, hiking, trout fishing and the ever-popular tubing. Raft the Nantahala River. And that's just the beginning!
Cherokee
Home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, find a large variety of ways to experience the Indian heritage. Tour the museum and Indian Village and watch "Unto These Hills." Shop for local crafts, see their painted bears, attend a pow wow or try your luck at the huge Harrah's Casino. It's also a major gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Robbinsville
This tiny town of 600 residents is big on things to do in Graham County, home to Fontana Lake, Lake Santeetlah, Stecoah Arts Center, Cherohala Skyway and hikes and waterfalls in Nantahala National Forest.
Maggie Valley
This longtime mountain resort town has kept much of its local charm with vintage motels and plenty of gift shops with arts and crafts. Tour Wheels Through Time collection of classic cars and motorcycles. Ski at Cataloochee. Festivals include Hillbilly Jam and Elk Fest.
Franklin
This town is known as the "Gem Capital of the World." Downtown is home to the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum in a 19th Century jailhouse. Attend one of the country’s best known gem shows, the Macon County Gemboree. Tour the Macon County Historical Museum and the Scottish Tartans Museum.
Lake Junaluska
This beautiful lake town near the Great Smoky Mountains is home to trails, boat tours, golf, gardens and a big variety of lodging options, including lakefront hotels and cabin rentals for a Methodist church retreat.
Dillsboro
This artsy village is just a few miles from Sylva. On the banks of the Tuckasegee River. Dillsboro has been a tourist stop since the late 1800s. Although it's a tiny village, find an impressive mix of specialty shops and galleries representing many local artists. Go to many art festivals. Many arrive by train on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad on an excursion.
Great Smoky Mountains NC Travel Guide
Order the free 115-page Great Smoky Mountains North Carolina Travel Guide that includes activities and adventures in 7 counties that surround the national park, published by Smoky Mountain Host.
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