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Log Cabin Rentals Gatlinburg, TN

Day trips to North Carolina

Over Newfound Gap, the other side of the Smokies: whitewater on the Nantahala, Cherokee, Bryson City and its scenic railroad, the elk of Maggie Valley. Long days, but a different mountain world.

4day trips 3free to get into tours from$44

Before you go

1

The drive is part of it

By our routing estimate, Gatlinburg to Cherokee is about an hour over Newfound Gap and the Nantahala Gorge closer to two hours, without traffic. Plan a full day.

2

Road closures

Newfound Gap Road closes in snow and ice — in winter, check before committing to the crossing.

Our take

Worth the drive if

You're staying several days and want rafting, Cherokee culture or a train ride the Tennessee side can't offer.

Skip it if

It's a short trip — the Tennessee side has more than enough for two or three days.

Built for longer staysactive groupsfamilies with teens

The 4 day trips

  1. Steam engine 1702 waiting to leave the Bryson City depot for the Nantahala Gorge 01 Bryson City, NC Free Bryson City, NC Ride the train from Bryson City A full day: the railroad allows 1 h 40 to 2 h 30 each way from Gatlinburg, plus a 4- to 4½-hour train ride or a few hours at Deep Creek Read the verdict →
  2. Elk grazing in a misty field beside the road near Oconaluftee Visitor Center 02 Cherokee, NC Free Cherokee, NC Spot elk in the Oconaluftee fields A full day: about an hour's drive each way over Newfound Gap, plus stops Read the verdict →
  3. A bull elk stands among grazing cows in a misty Cataloochee Valley field 03 Maggie Valley, NC Free Maggie Valley, NC Watch elk graze in Cataloochee Free to visit · optional guided tours from $149 Read the verdict →
  4. Helmeted rafters paddle an NOC raft through whitewater on the Nantahala River 04 Nantahala Gorge, near Bryson City, NC Ticketed Nantahala River rafting Paddle through Nantahala Falls from$44on GetYourGuide Read the verdict →

“From” prices are the lowest GetYourGuide offer on each page, in USD, checked Sep 2026.

Another kind of day

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