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Things To Do

Our Nantahala cabin rentals are in the heart of the Great Smokies playground.

The Nantahala's whitewater rafting, fishing and boating are all just minutes from The Cabins at Long Branch. There's a wide array of more great things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Some suggestions:

Mountain Farm Museum - GSMNP near Cherokee
Davis-House-Mtn-Farm
  • Mountain Farm Museum - GSMNP near Cherokee
  • Tubing on Deep Creek - GSMNP near Bryson City
  • Scenic Excursions on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
  • Fly fishing is big throughout the Smokies
  • Horseback riding
  • Inflatable kayaks on the Nantahala
  • Smoky Mountain Country Club near Bryson City
  • Mountain biking at the Tsali Trails near Fontana Lake
  • Whitewater rafting on the Nantahala
  • Boat rentals on Nantahala Lake
  • Unto These Hill outdoor drama in Cherokee
  • Cherokee Indian Reservation
  • Zipline canopy tours

All the activities below are an easy drive from The Cabins at Long Branch. Our on-site manager can help you make the most of your time in the mountains.

A FISHERMAN'S PARADISE
Named one of the top trout streams in the country, and rated as one of the Top 100 Trout Rivers in North America by Trout Unlimited, the Nantahala River is a perfect trout fishing destination. The North Carolina State record brown trout was caught on the lower Nantahala River and weighed 24lbs 10oz!

Did you know? You can fish for fresh-water Kokanee Salmon on Nantahala Lake? In fact, the state record — a 3 pounder — was caught in Nantahala. The lake also offers Rainbows, Browns, Walleyes, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass.

All the links on this page will open in a new window, floating above this window.

Fish with a Fly Fishing Guide

All about fishing in the Smokies

For more information about Nantahala fishing and other activities, visit the Nantahala website

Raft or kayak the Nantahala with —
Adventurous Fast Rivers Rafting
Wildwater Rafting
Appalachian Rivers
Brookside Rafting
Carolina Outfitters
Endless River Adventures

Go horseback riding with —
Smokemont Stables
Horseshoe Creek Riding Stables
Carolina Outfitters

Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Take the family tubing on Deep Creek

Visit a Gem Mine in Franklin "The Gem Capitol of the World"

Purchase NC fishing license online

Go boating and swimming on Nantahala Lake

Lake Santeetlah & Fontana Lake marinas

Go mountain biking at Tsali

Play golf at —
Smoky Mountain Country Club Whittier
Cherokee Hills Golf Club Murphy
Franklin Golf Course Franklin

Take a scenic excursion or dinner train on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Ride a zipline with RidgeRunner Zip Lines or Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours

Bike the nearby Dragon – 318 curves in 11 miles

Drive the scenic Cherohala Skyway

Hike in the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Visit the Cherokee Indian Reservation

Try your luck at Harrah's Cherokee Casino - 2 locations: Cherokee and Murphy

Enjoy the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians in Bryson City

Visit the Biltmore Estate in Asheville

Take in a show Smoky Mountain Performing Arts Center in Franklin

Take the kids to the Fun Factory in Franklin

Take the family to Santa's Land in Cherokee

Visit the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center

Stop by the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown

Closest grocery store, liquor store and movie theater are in Andrews NC.

You'll find even more information about area events and activities at these area Chamber of Commerce websites —

Nantahala

Franklin

Andrews

Bryson City

Cherokee