The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a popular tourist destination that extends to both Tennessee and North Carolina. Oconaluftee is a scenic river valley that neighbors Cherokee, North Carolina, and the Qualla Boundary, an area on the North Carolina side of the Smokies that’s quieter, less traveled, and very underrated!. Read on to learn more about 3 awesome hiking trails in Oconaluftee:
1. Oconaluftee River Trail
One unique thing about the Oconaluftee River Trail is that it is the only dog-friendly trail on the North Carolina side of the Smokies. The trail is 3 miles roundtrip and consists of flat, graveled terrain. Hikers will travel along its namesake through a hardwood forest. In the spring, the broad leaves on the trees will be green. Before they lose their leaves in the fall, hikers will have the opportunity to see some stunning fall foliage. As for the river, it is teeming with fish and other aquatic creatures, such as salamanders. Take a moment to look closely at all the fish.
If you do bring Fido along, make sure he is on a short leash that is no more than 6 feet. This is for the safety of you, your pet, other visitors, and the wildlife. Be sure to clean up after your pet as well! Thank you for helping to keep the area beautiful for other visitors! In addition to this trail, pets are also allowed in picnic area, a great place to relax after your hike. You and Fido can both have a long drink of water and a delicious meal!
2. Chasteen Creek Cascade Trail
Another easy trail in the Oconaluftee River area is the hike to the Chasteen Creek Cascade. The route is 3.6 miles roundtrip. To reach the namesake, hikers will follow part of the Bradley Fork and Benton MacKaye trails. Chasteen Creek is located about 1.7 miles from the trailhead. It is 30 feet tall. The smaller cataracts downstream are best viewed after heavy rains. Do not attempt to cross any footbridges if the water is overflowing. If you do this trail in the spring, there will be lots of colorful wildflowers on the ground. Picking them is prohibited, as we want all visitors to be able to see their beauty.
3. Kephart Prong Trail
The Kephart Prong Trail is 4 miles roundtrip through a hardwood forest. Hikers will cross the Oconaluftee River and several smaller streams. Many of the footbridges have railings to help you maintain your balance. The trail leads to the remnants of a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp. This was a group of men formed by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression. They helped make many improvements to the park that are still visible today. At the old campsite, hikers can see pieces of a chimney as well as rocks that provided framing for the camp sign.
Now you know all about the hiking trails in the Oconaluftee area, but a trip to this area of the Great Smoky Mountains isn’t complete without checking out the Visitor Center! Learn about the Mountain Farm Museum and more at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center!
