Southeast Excursions: Enjoy the splashing, scenery at Nantahala Outdoor Center
Enjoy Mecklenburg County’s U.S. National Whitewater Center? Whether you’re a novice or veteran at kayaking or rafting, you’ll love the Nantahala Outdoor Center – as well as its other activities and wonderful scenery.
Distance
From the Charlotte area, the Nantahala Outdoor Center is a little over a three-hour drive. The NOC is on U.S. 19/74 in Swain County.
To see and do
At the intersection of the Nantahala River and the Appalachian Trail, you’ll find one of the most unusual outdoor venues in the Carolinas, if not the entire country. It’s the Nantahala Outdoor Center, a former outpost for river rats that today runs some of the best whitewater activities in the South for rafting, kayaking and canoeing. And it’s just 20 minutes west of Bryson City.
In 1972, three of those river rats decided that the locale, nestled in a beautiful gorge in the Great Smoky Mountains, was one that could attract more than just hardcore whitewater enthusiasts; the NOC was the offspring of that belief. Four decades-plus later, NOC is the largest whitewater rafting outfitter in the country. It also offers a wide array of activities from basic entry-level rafting to programs in team building and high-end education in swift water rescue and wilderness medicine.
For most visitors though, outdoor adventure is the reason for a visit.
While the NOC is open year-round, the majority of its estimated 1 million visitors come during warmer months. Definitely family-oriented, its pricing structure for activities reflects a philosophy of affordable fun. Guided rafting packages start as low as $39.99 per person, and rafting/zip line packages start at $79.99 per person. The scenery can be stunning.
Your biggest problem at NOC is deciding what you want to do: Classic whitewater rafting along an incredibly scenic 8 mile section of the Nantahala River, mountain biking, hiking options or adrenaline-inducing zip-lining? Or all of the above?
Don’t be intimidated by the choices; you don’t have to be an Olympic-caliber athlete to enjoy any of them. If you are a novice, you can start with the basics, and then if you are interested, try more advanced activities.
A lot of people come just to enjoy the views, attend special events, shop or eat in its restaurants. Upcoming events include the Nantahala Racing Club Family Whitewater Weekend, May 23-24. In all cases, visitors are enjoying a beautiful outdoor venue.
Perhaps that’s what those river rats had in mind, way back in 1972, when they got inspired to share their little slice of heaven.
Details
NOC info: www.noc.com. Note: NOC also has lodging options. Also, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, based in Bryson City, has rails-and-river packages that take you to NOC, where the excursion train stops at NOC’s Wesser Station. Details: www.gsmr.com.
If you’re hungry …
NOC offers two on-site restaurants. Rivers End Restaurant, open year-round, offers a quality experience. With 100 percent of its seats having a view of the river, it’s a great place serving an American style menu including pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads and more. The Big Wesser BBQ & Grill, also on the river, offers a more laid-back atmosphere, Southern-style food, an outstanding craft beer selection and live entertainment on weekends.
Area info
This story was originally published May 8, 2015 at 7:03 AM with the headline "Southeast Excursions: Enjoy the splashing, scenery at Nantahala Outdoor Center."