Nantahala National Forest

The Nantahala National Forest anchors the far southwestern corner of North Carolina with 528,541 acres of lush forests, high mountain wilderness, and a whitewater river that cuts through a magnificent gorge so deep that it only gets direct sunlight at mid-day.  The Cherokee called the gorge "Nantahala," which means "land of the noonday sun."

Adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Nantahala National Forest is the largest of the four National Forests in North Carolina.  Within its boundaries are three designated Wilderness Areas and two Wild and Scenic Rivers. 

Much of the Nantahala National Forest can be enjoyed from the highway.  Both the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway and the Cherohala Skyway wind through its hardwood forests, across mountain ridges, and alongside river gorges. 

The Nantahala River provides excellent rafting, canoeing, and kayaking and is one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the country.  Three picturesque reservoirs are nestled among the mountains in the Nantahala National Forest, offering boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, and camping.

Hikers can enjoy miles of developed trails, including the Appalachian Trail and the Bartram Trail, as well as backpacking in the wilderness.  Horseback riding and mountain biking are also popular.

The Nantahala National Forest is distinguished by a number of treasured natural attractions:

• Chattooga River Gorge – a Wild and Scenic River
• Cullusaja River Gorge – a spectacular scenic drive along the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway
•Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest – preserves one of the largest stands of old growth trees in the eastern United States
• Little Tennesssee River – one of the best-preserved, free-flowing rivers in the North Carolina mountains
• Nantahala River Bogs – some of the few remaining bogs in the North Carolina mountains
• Panthertown Valley – a unique landscape nicknamed "the Yosemite of the East"
• Wayah Bald – a unique landscape feature and popular hiking destination
• Whiteside Mountain – site of the highest sheer cliffs in the eastern United States

The Nantahala National Forest is served by four ranger districts.  For maps and further information, contact:

US Forest Service Supervisor's Office                                                160A Zillicoa St                                                                                              Asheville, NC 28802                                                                                                       (828) 257-4200                                                                                               www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc

Cheoah Ranger District
Route 1, Box 16A
Robbinsville, NC 28771
(828) 479-6431

Highland Ranger District
2010 Flat Mountain Road
Highlands, NC 28741
(828) 526-3765

Tusquitee Ranger District
123 Woodland Drive
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-5152

Wayah Ranger District
90 Sloan Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-6441