Nantahala-Gorge
is located in Swain County, and 85 percent of the county's 553 square miles is federal land. This means it is mostly mountains, forests, streams, rivers and wilderness. This unhurried and unspoiled bit of paradise is just 60 miles from Asheville and 85 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee. Some of North Carolina's most scenic rivers, the Nantahala, Oconaluftee and Tuckasegee are located in Swain County and offer unparalleled recreational opportunities. The Nantahala River Gorge draws thousands of rafters and kayakers each year. The clear, cold waters rush for 9 miles through the spectacular Nantahala Gorge in the Nantahala Forest. This is one of the most heavily used whitewater rivers in the region, with a constant flow of rafters - who are fun to watch, even if you don't care to join in the sport. There are also great mountain biking trails in the area, and some of the state's most popular series of mountain bike races are held here. Other exciting activities in the Nantahala Gorge area include canoeing, boating, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Rockhounds will love the Nantahala Gorge Ruby Mine, which is open from mid-March to the end of October. For a relaxing look at the area, the Great Smoky Mountain Railway offers a spectacular Nantahala Gorge Excursion, mid-March through December.
Surrounding areas: Alarka, North Carolina (6.6 mi), Stecoah, North Carolina (7.3 mi), Nantahala, North Carolina (7.6 mi), Bryson City, North Carolina (8.3 mi), Aquone, North Carolina (11.0 mi), Topton, North Carolina (11.0 mi), Whittier, North Carolina (12.6 mi)
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Nantahala Gorge Vacation Rentals
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Nantahala Gorge Weather & Climate
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The Mountains of North Carolina range from 800 feet to over 6,600 feet and topography affects the local weather. Expect temperatures to be 10 to 20 degrees cooler on the mountaintops. Spring is unpredictable, particularly at the higher elevations. Snow may fall in March, but by May, things warm up with daytime highs in the 80s. Summer is warm and humid, but more pleasant at the higher elevations. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are common in the summertime. Winter is generally moderate, but extreme conditions can occur in the mountains. It's not unusual to have warm temperatures in the valleys and snow in the higher areas. In the lowlands, snows of one inch or more occur just 1-5 times per year. More frequent and deeper snows fall at the higher elevations.
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| Month |
High Temp |
Low Temp |
Rainfall |
Ocean Temp |
| January |
47°F |
24°F |
5.39 in. |
- |
| February |
52°F |
25°F |
4.89 in. |
- |
| March |
60°F |
32°F |
5.76 in. |
- |
| April |
68°F |
38°F |
4.09 in. |
- |
| May |
75°F |
49°F |
4.90 in. |
- |
| June |
81°F |
57°F |
4.49 in. |
- |
| July |
84°F |
61°F |
4.09 in. |
- |
| August |
83°F |
61°F |
4.48 in. |
- |
| September |
77°F |
55°F |
3.94 in. |
- |
| October |
69°F |
41°F |
3.29 in. |
- |
| November |
59°F |
32°F |
4.58 in. |
- |
| December |
50°F |
26°F |
4.57 in. |
- |
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Nantahala Gorge Map & Transportation
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| Click each thumbnail image to enlarge. |
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The closest airports in the area are the Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge airport (GKT) located about 34 miles north of Nantahala Gorge in Sevierville, Tennessee, the Mc Ghee Tyson airport (TYS) located approximately 39 miles northwest of Nantahala Gorge in Knoxville, Tennessee, the Asheville Regional airport (AVL) located roughly 57 miles east of Nantahala Gorge in Asheville, North Carolina, the Moore Murrell airport (MOR) located around 57 miles north of Nantahala Gorge in Morristown, Tennessee, and finally the Greeneville Greene County Municipal airport (GCY) located about 71 miles northeast of Nantahala Gorge in Greeneville, Tennessee.
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Nantahala Gorge Attractions
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| | | Amusement and Theme Parks |
| Cherokee Fun Park | Cherokee | NC | 16.2 mi. | | | Santa's Land | Cherokee | NC | 16.2 mi. | | | Ghost Town in the Sky | Maggie Valley | NC | 28.5 mi. | | | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge | TN | 29.8 mi. | | | Rockin' Raceway | Pigeon Forge | TN | 29.8 mi. | | | NASCAR SpeedPark | Sevierville | TN | 35.4 mi. | |
| | | Water Parks |
| Lake Lanier Island Beach & Water Park | Lake Lanier Island | GA | 85.8 mi. | | | White Water Park | Marietta | GA | 112.2 mi. | |
| | | Golf Courses |
| Smoky Mountain Country Club | Whittier | NC | 12.5 mi. | | | Franklin Golf Course | Franklin | NC | 15.9 mi. | | | Mill Creek Country Club | Franklin | NC | 15.9 mi. | | | Laurel Valley Country Club | Townsend | TN | 24.5 mi. | | | Chatuge Shores Golf Course | Hayesville | NC | 25.9 mi. | | | Mountain Harbour Golf & Yacht Club | Hayesville | NC | 25.9 mi. | | | Highlands Cove | Highlands | NC | 29.2 mi. | |
| | | Ski Areas |
| Scaly Mountain | Scaly Mountain | NC | 27.6 mi. | | | Cataloochee | Maggie Valley | NC | 28.5 mi. | | | Ski Wolf Laurel | Mars Hill | NC | 65.6 mi. | | | Ski Beech | Banner Elk | NC | 110.1 mi. | | | Sugar Mountain Ski Area | Banner Elk | NC | 110.1 mi. | | | Hawksnest Golf & Ski Resort | Seven Devils | NC | 111.7 mi. | |
| | | State Parks |
| Chatuge State Park | | GA | 30.8 mi. | | | Black Rock Mountain State Park | | GA | 32.8 mi. | | | Moccasin Creek State Park | | GA | 35.8 mi. | |
| | | Museums |
| Sequoyah Birthplace Museum | Vonore | TN | 41.5 mi. | (History) | | East Tennessee Discovery Center | Knoxville | TN | 46.4 mi. | (Science) | | Ewing Gallery of Art & Architecture | Knoxville | TN | 46.4 mi. | (Art) | | Knoxville Museum of Art | Knoxville | TN | 46.4 mi. | (Art) | | East Tennessee Historical Society Museum | Knoxville | TN | 46.4 mi. | (History) | | Farragut Folklife Museum | Farragut | TN | 49.3 mi. | (History) | | South Carolina Gold Museum | Pickens | SC | 58.4 mi. | (Miscellaneous) |
| | | Zoos and Aquariums |
| Knoxville Zoological Gardens | Knoxville | TN | 46.4 mi. | | | Western North Carolina Nature Center | Asheville | NC | 59.3 mi. | | | Greenville Zoo | Greenville | SC | 74.8 mi. | | | Tennessee Aquarium | Chattanooga | TN | 101.1 mi. | | | Warner Park Zoo | Chattanooga | TN | 101.1 mi. | |
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Disclaimer: We recommend you conduct your own research regarding all accomodations and attractions found on this website. The distances shown on this website are straight-line distances as the crow flies. The road distance may be considerably longer. You assume all liability for use of any information found on this website. No information is confirmed or warranted in any way. By using our services you agree to the terms and conditions of this disclaimer.
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