Please note: GPS navigation systems do not always provide the most desirable routes through the mountains to the Nantahala Gorge/Nantahala Outdoor Center. Following are the easiest and fastest routes to the area.
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ASHEVILLE, NC – approximately one and a half hours.
Take I-40 west to Exit 27 (the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue West on US 74 past Waynesville, Sylva, Dillsboro and Bryson City to the Nantahala Gorge. The whitewater venue is approximately 13 miles west of Bryson City on US 19/74.
ATLANTA – approximately three hours.
From West Atlanta, take I-75 north to I-575 north, which becomes Georgia route 5. At Blue Ridge, GA, turn left (west) on to Route 60 and travel 1.5 miles to Mineral Bluff, GA. Turn right on to Route "60 Spur" and travel approximately 12 miles to the junction with US 19/74. Turn right (east) and proceed on US 19/74 through Murphy, NC and Andrews, NC to the Nantahala Gorge. The drive from Andrews to the whitewater venue is approximately 18-1/2 miles.
From East Atlanta, take I-85 north to I-985, which becomes US 23, which becomes US 23/441. You'll pass through Clayton, GA, Franklin, NC and Dillsboro, NC. Just past Dillsboro, take US 74 (the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway) west past Bryson City to the Nantahala Gorge. The whitewater venue is 13 miles west of Bryson City on US 19/74.
CHARLOTTE – approximately three hours.
Take I-85 west to US 74. Continue west on US 74 to I-26. Go north on I-26 to I-40. Take I-40 west to Exit 27 (US 74, the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue West on US 74 past Waynesville, Sylva, Dillsboro and Bryson City to the Nantahala Gorge. The whitewater venue is approximately 13 miles west of Bryson City on US 19/74.
CHATTANOOGA – approximately two hours.
Take I-75 north to US 64 (near Cleveland, TN). Drive east on US 64 (which becomes US 64/74) through Ducktown, TN and the Ocoee River Gorge into North Carolina. At Murphy, NC take US 19/74 east through Andrews, NC to the Nantahala Gorge. The drive from Andrews to the whitewater venue is approximately 18-1/2 miles.
GREENVILLE & SPARTANBURG – approximately two to three hours.
From Spartanburg, take I-26 north to I-40. Take I-40 west to Exit 27 (US 74, the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue West on US 74 past Waynesville, Sylva, Dillsboro and Bryson City to the Nantahala Gorge. The whitewater venue is approximately 13 miles west of Bryson City on US 19/74.
KNOXVILLE
You have a choice of four routes. Driving time depends on route and traffic.
1. Via Interstate 40 - Take I-40 east into North Carolina to exit 27 (US 74, the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue West on US 74 past Waynesville, Sylva, Dillsboro and Bryson City to the Nantahala Gorge. The whitewater venue is approximately 13 miles west of Bryson City on US 19/74. 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
2. Via US 129 - Take US 129 south through Alcoa and Maryville. After crossing into North Carolina, take US 28 south to the intersection with US 19/74. Turn right and continue west on US 19/74 approximately 4 miles to the Nantahala Gorge. Note: the section of US 129 known as "Deal's Gap" and "The Dragon" is extremely curvy (318 curves in 11 miles). The drive from Knoxville to the Gorge is approximately 2-1/2 to three hours.
3. Via Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Take I-40 east to exit 407 and proceed south. At Sevierville, TN, take US 441 south through Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Cherokee, NC. At Cherokee, take US 19 south thru Bryson City to US 74. Continue west on US 19/74 to the Nantahala Gorge. The whitewater venue is approximately 13 miles west of Bryson City on US 19/74. Depending on traffic - 2-1/2 to four hours.
4. Via Townsend and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Take US 129 south through Alcoa to Maryville. In Maryville, take US 321 east to Townsend, TN. From Townsend, take Little River Road east through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to US 441 (at the Park Visitors Center). Take US 441 south through the park to Cherokee, NC. At Cherokee, take US 19 south thru Bryson City to US 74. Continue west on US 19/74 to the Nantahala Gorge. The whitewater venue is approximately 13 miles west of Bryson City on US 19/74. Depending on traffic - 2-1/2 to four hours.
