Nantahala Forest
A place where the gorges and valleys are only illuminated with the midday sun, Nantahala National Forest is a lesser known natural beauty with a world-class rafting and kayaking opportunities.
Just south of the Great Smoky Mountains lies the lesser known beauty of Nantahala National Forest. Named after the Native American word for “land of the midday sun” – an appropriate name for a forest where the gorges and valleys are only illuminated when the noon sun is directly overhead – the forest is the largest of North Carolina’s four national forests and encompasses more than half a million acres of pristine woodlands with elevations ranging from 5,800 to 1,200 feet.
Boasting Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, Nantahala is also home to a magnificent river gorge for kayaking and whitewater rafting. The waters stay around 10°C year round but the thrill they provide is almost unmatched. The forest offers excellent opportunities for hiking, with over 600 miles of trails, as well as a wide range of recreational activities from fishing and boating to camping and off-road driving.
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