excursion al nantahala gorge river

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Nantahala Gorge Excursion

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TAKE A TRAIN RIDE ALONG SIDE THE BEAUTIFUL NANTAHALA RIVER ON OUR NANTAHALA GORGE EXCURSION! DEPARTING FROM BRYSON CITY, THIS 4½ HOUR ROUNDTRIP EXCURSION CARRIES YOU 44 MILES TO THE NANTAHALA GORGE AND BACK AGAIN ARRIVING AT OUR BRYSON CITY DEPOT.

Ride this excursion via   Steam   or   Diesel   locomotive power!

About This Trip

• Classes of Service and Pricing

Class Comparison

How to purchase.

• Where To Go

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains while traveling along the Tennessee and Nantahala (nan-tuh-HAY-luh) River. The historic trellis bridge Fontana Trestle takes you across Fontana Lake and into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Onboard dining is available in First Class Seating and selecting from our First Class dining menu  options OR you can  pr e-purchase a box lunch option  to make this an amazing unique moving dining experience. Arrive at our layover destination in the heart of the Nantahala Gorge for a one-hour layover where you can relax by the river or enjoy sightseeing!

Given the nature of railroading, durations are approximate and subject to change without notice.

Classes of Service

Adult First Class

First Class with dining features assigned seating at a dining table in a climate controlled car with large picture windows, and are served a  meal by the car’s attendant. Everyone receives a souvenir travel mug with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day. Limited bar service available.

Premium Open Air Gondola

Premium Open Air Gondola with dining features assigned seating in a car with unobstructed views, half-height walls, and a roof above to protect passengers from the elements. Adults (21+) are served a  meal by the car’s attendant. Everyone receives a souvenir travel mug with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day. 

Coach Plus features a classic train decor with natural wood and sliding windows at every seat. Every section ha s stable and booth style seating allowing 4 people at a table. This is perfect for families or groups traveling together that want the convenience of their own table! 

Crown Class

Crown Class features assigned seating in a climate controlled car with large picture windows. Everyone over the age of 2 years old receives a souvenir tumbler with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day! Beer and wine available.

Coach Class

Coach Class features open seating in an enclosed car, windows that can be opened for fresh air and taking photos, and are heated and have ceiling fans.

Open Air Gondola

Open Air Gondolas feature open seating in a car with unobstructed views, half-height walls, and a roof above to protect passengers from the elements.  Add an official Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Fleece Blanket to your reservation for just $32! At 54″ x 84″ it’s the perfect size for two to keep warm during our cool mornings.

You can purchase your tickets online or call our reservations department at (800) 872-4681. No matter how you purchase tickets, they’ll be waiting at will call. Or, you can purchase your tickets the day of in the Bryson City Depot. See  Classes of Service  for the various class descriptions and pricing.

Where to Go

All departures are from the Bryson City Depot in Bryson City, NC . The entrance to the parking lot is located at:

45 Mitchell Street, Bryson City, NC 28713

Plan on being here by  1 hour  before your departure.

• Categories BBQ 'n Brews Bunny Hopper Express Diesel Moonshine Experience Nantahala Gorge Polar Express Smoky Mountain Beer Run Steam Sunset Tuck Tuckasegee River Uncorked

Ticket fares subject to 7% Historic Preservation Fee. Schedules, fares, motive power, equipment, seat selection, and meals are subject to change without notice. We guarantee the class of service you select. You will be notified if a change in schedule or motive power affects your reservation. Payment in full at booking by major credit card is required to finalize a reservation. You may cancel your reservation in full or in part and receive a refund less a $14.00 fee per adult ticket and $7.00 fee per child ticket as late as 5 days before departure with the exception of The Polar Express Train Ride; The Polar Express Train Ride is as late as 60 days before departure. Within 5 days of the departure, or 60 days in the case of the Polar Express Train Ride, the reservation becomes nonrefundable.   You may reschedule any time prior to your originally scheduled departure with a $7.00 fee per ticket for another date within the same calendar year. You may not reschedule a reservation after the scheduled departure.

You agree that GSMR General Excursions and Events for which you purchased tickets and/or attended is a public event, that your appearance and actions inside and outside the venue where the Excursion/Event occurs are public in nature, and that you have no expectation of privacy with regard to your actions or conduct at the Event. You hereby irrevocably grant permission to the host railroad, licensor, sponsor(s) and/or their assigns to use, copy, display, distribute, exhibit and utilize your name, image, digital image, likeness, acts, poses, voice, appearance, movements and statements in any live or recorded audio, video or photographic display or other transmission, exhibition, publication or reproduction of same, including at the Excursion/ Event (regardless of whether before, during or after the Excursion/ Event) for any purpose, in any manner, in any medium or context now known or hereafter developed without further authorization from or any compensation to you or anyone acting or entitled to act on your Behalf.

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The Nantahala Gorge Train Excursion Offers Some Of The Most Breathtaking Views In North Carolina

Robin Jarvis

More by this Author

The mountains in western North Carolina offer up some of the very best views on the east coast. And when it comes to planned excursions to experience the best of the best, you can’t beat the 4.5-hour train ride from Bryson City to deep within the Nantahala Gorge aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

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Ticket prices vary depending upon the type of engine pulling the train and the class level you choose to sit in. Adult (ages 13 and over) ticket prices range from $56 to $113 per person. Tickets for children age 2-12 range from $32 to $64 per person, depending on the aforementioned parameters. And tickets for kids age 0-23 months range from free to $22 per person.

Learn more about this fantastic train excursion by visiting the official website for the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad . Follow the Facebook page, here .

And for a whole other way to enjoy this train ride, think about purchasing a package trip: Ride A Train Into The Wilderness And Then Explore 13 Ziplines And 8 Skybridges On This Adventure In North Carolina !

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Nantahala River Gorge Activities

Over the course of centuries, the Nantahala River carved out an eight-mile gorge so deep that many parts of it see direct sunlight for only a short time each day. The Cherokee called the gorge ‘Nantahala’ which means “Land of the Noon-day Sun.”

The Nantahala is the center of Bryson City’s most popular outdoor activities — whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip lining, fishing, jeep tours, horseback riding, hiking and gem mines. Rafting alone lures more than 200,000 paddlers every year making it one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in the Southeast. A number of rafting and kayaking outfitters offer guided and self-guided trips down the lower Nantahala’s eight-mile whitewater venue with one outfitter where you can raft with your dog (35+ lbs). . And two of those outfitters also operate zip lines and canopy tours, as well as rope courses, adventure net play for kids and kids zip lines.

A perfect combination of exciting whitewater and placid pools, the Nantahala is a great introduction to the sport of whitewater paddling. With Class II and III rapids, it’s considered a “family” river suitable for senior citizens and children — providing the kids are at least 7 years old or weigh at least 60 pounds.

But, don’t get the wrong idea. Just because the river is suitable for families doesn’t mean it’s not exciting. Just because the river is suitable for families doesn’t mean it’s not exciting; canoe and kayak Olympians often train on the Nantahala. In 2013, the Gorge was the site of the International Canoe Federation’s Freestyle World Championships. The “Championship Wave” the competitors used is open for public use.

NOTE: any private boating activity on the river requires a USFS Nantahala River Permit (available at Nantahala Outdoor Center and Endless River Adventures )

Click or tap map to enlarge

Printable PDF

Learn more in Lance Holland’s book, “The Nantahala River: A History and Guide”. Website

In Bryson City, Take “The Fugitive” Escape Day Trip

A “great escape” mountain road trip to Western North Carolina’s signature lakes, rivers and dams.

A Dam-controlled River  

Nantahala Dam was completed in 1942 creating a reservoir that was critical to the success of defense projects for World War II. The dam allowed control of water not only for power usage, but also to provide recreational activities. Today it’s part of Duke Energy.

To serve both needs, the Nantahala River takes two separate paths below the dam. One is the continuation of the Upper Nantahala river along its centuries-old path down the mountainside. The other path is controlled by Duke Energy and scheduled to provide both power and a full flow for recreation.

Power generation is year-round. But from March thru October, Duke schedules its power generation operations to provide flow releases for the Lower Nantahala’s rafting and kayaking activities. When power-generation is ‘on’, water from the lake is released into a large pipe that carries it directly from Nantahala Lake to the Duke Energy hydroelectric plant at the bottom of the mountain. Below the power plant, both stream paths converge at the rafting put-in area.

Lower Nantahala Fishing

The Nantahala has been 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.   It’s well known for its population of large trout, primarily browns and rainbows.

The depth and flow of the Lower Nantahala is dependent on Duke Energy’s power generation schedule. When the river is turned “on” there’s a rapid rise of very swift water and anglers must share the river with kayakers and rafters. While the schedule varies from month to month, the river is generally “turned on” mid-morning and “turned off” late afternoon. The fish are accustomed to the recreational activity, however, so the fishing is not compromised.

The lower Nantahala is classified as Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters with no size limit or bait restriction and a creel limit of seven trout per day. But because this is where most of the rafting and kayaking activity occurs, the Lower Nantahala is the only stream in the state where night fishing is allowed.

Upper Nantahala

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Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Trips

Travel the historic Great Smoky Mountain Railroad to discover the stunning Nantahala Gorge! Join us for a breathtaking journey through the Smoky Mountains. From your train car, wave “hello” to the rafters heading down the river at Nantahala Outdoor Center. The Nantahala Gorge Excursion stays at Nantahala Outdoor Center for an hour, which allows you to stretch your legs, get a bite to eat, and go shopping!

For even more savings, book NOC’s Rapid Transit package and add some adventure to your train ride with Nantahala Fully Guided Rafting!

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Steam of the Smokies

Experience the thrill of riding behind the steam engine as you travel through…

Experience the thrill of riding behind the steam engine as you travel through the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, including Fontana Lake, Nantahala Gorge, and the quaint town of Dillsboro

Explore the Smoky Mountain on the Steam Train

Bryson City, NC, is home to the historic Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, with its steam locomotive sure to instill a feeling of nostalgia and excite the child at heart with gentle excursions through the Smoky Mountains. The #1702 locomotive dates back to 1942, where the engine’s construction was an official commissioned WWII Steam Engine plan. It is of the world’s largest engine class and is one of two remaining in the United States. This converted oil burning engine began its year restoration process in 2015 RE-debuting in 2016 and delighting passengers year after year. For diesel-powered train rides, click here.

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Nantahala gorge excursion or the Tuskegee River...

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Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Questions & Answers

Nantahala gorge excursion or the Tuskegee River excursion? which one is the most scenic?

I've only done the Nantahala

I also took the Nantahala trip and was pleased. This trip has alot of water views and the stop has limited places to visiit. We ate lunch there. While I have not done the other trip, I understand it is more countryside traveling along a river with a stop in a small village.

We took the Nantahala and were very pleased.

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10345 Hwy. 19 W., Bryson City, NC 28713

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Enjoy ziplining for the whole family in the Nantahala Gorge! Soar from tree to tree with our five full canopy tours including ziplines, sky bridges, rappelling and more. Guided by 2 Rangers, your group is sure to feel safe, and have fun! Enjoy a train and canopy combo trip on the Tarzan Train! Climb aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City and ride along Fontana Lake up into the Nantahala Gorge. Continue your adventure with a fully guided zipline tour! All transportation is included in this package.

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