For a quieter, more relaxing Smoky Mountains
vacation, discover the North Carolina Smokies' many hidden treasures ... most are near Bryson City.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park's half-million acres are equally divided between Tennessee and North Carolina. And with roughly forty percent of the Park in Swain County, Bryson City is the ideal spot for a relaxing Smoky Mountain vacation — away from the more carnival atmosphere of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Even though the GSMNP is the nation's most-visited national park, most visitors only experience a small portion of the Park. The most popular areas are along US 441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee and Cades Cove. But there's a lot more to see and do, particularly in North Carolina's half of the Park.

The place to begin is the Oconaluftee Visitors Center at the Park entrance on US 441 just north of Cherokee. There you'll find displays, maps, dozens of helpful publications and a staff of knowledgeable, helpful park rangers.

Mountain Farm Museum — In a field behind the Oconaluftee Visitors Center, the Park Service has recreated a late 19th century mountain farm with authentic log structures moved from their original locations throughout the National Park. One of the buildings, the John E. Davis farmhouse, originally stood in the Indian Creek/Thomas Divide area north of Bryson City.

Deep Creek — Less than two miles from downtown Bryson City, the Deep Creek recreational area of the Park offers activities for the entire family, including camping, hiking, trout fishing and the area's best whitewater tubing. From this entrance hikers can access the many backcountry trails that wind through the Park, or take a leisurely stroll along the creek bank and picnic by the water's edge. Deep Creek is probably best known for its three waterfalls — Juneywhank, Toms Branch and Indian Creek Falls. All are just a short walk from the parking area.

The Road to Nowhere — With so much to see and do in the Bryson City area, it is hard to imagine a day when you might have nowhere to go. But should that happen, there is always the Road to Nowhere, a scenic mountain highway that takes you eight miles into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends at the mouth of a tunnel. On the map, it is called Lakeview Drive, but to the citizens of Swain County it is The Road to Nowhere — A Broken Promise. (For the rest of this story, click here.)

Fontana Lake North Shore — Forney Creek, Eagle Creek and Hazel Creek are three isolated areas accessible only by foot or by boat. Hazel Creek is where the logging town of Proctor once stood, with more than 2,000 residents at the turn of the century. Only a few remnants of that town remain.

Mingus Mill — A large water-powered mill for grinding corn can be seen in operation from mid-April through October. One-half mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitors Center on US 441.

Clingmans Dome — At 6642 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in the Smokies and the second highest east of the Mississippi (North Carolina's Mount Mitchell is 42 feet higher). From the parking lot, seven miles west of Newfound Gap, walk the steep half-mile path to the 54-foot observation tower for a 360-degree view of the Park. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular. The Appalachian Trail crosses Clingmans Dome, marking the highest point along its 2,144-mile journey. Closed from December 1 through April 1.

Cataloochee Valley — Once the largest settlement in the Smokies, this valley rivals Cades Cove with its beauty and its many preserved structures. It was there that Elk were re-introduced into the Park in 2001 and 2002. The animals are not frightened by humans and can be observed grazing in Cataloochee's fields almost any afternoon throughout the year.

Smokemont — Trails and horseback riding, just north of Cherokee on U.S. 441.