Mountains surpassing 5000 feet, cascading waterfalls,
towering hardwood forests and whitewater foaming over the backs of boulders--these
are the sights awaiting you in the Nantahala National Forest. Enjoy
the panoramic views from Whiteside Mountain or Wayah Bald. A 2-mile
loop trail to the top of the Whiteside cliffs, provides a spectacular
view. Wayah Bald is especially beautiful in June when the azaleas and
laurel bloom. Joyce
Kilmer Memorial Forest, with it's 400-year old trees, is another
breathtaking sight, as is Whitewater
Falls - the highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains.
Water in the mountains comes deep and wide, or
fast and "on the rocks". The Nantahala National Forest is
blessed by numerous lakes, plus hundreds of miles of rivers and streams,
including two nationally recognized wild and scenic rivers.
Santeelah,
and Fontana are large, popular lakes for boating, water skiing, and
fishing. Recreation areas, beside the lakes, provide camping, picnicking,
and boat ramps.
In the Tusquitee District, three reservoirs in
beautiful mountain settings provide a playground for recreation enthusiasts.
Hiwassee Lake, Chatuge
Lake, and Appalachia Lake offer boating, water skiing, fishing,
and swimming, as well as a quiet place to relax and enjoy nature’s
wonders. Chatuge Lake is excellent for sailing and also has a swimming
beach at Jackrabbit
recreation area. The Hiwassee and Apalachia
Lakes are located west of Murphy,
along the Hiwassee River. Chatuge Lake spans the Georgia-North Carolina
State line, south of Hayesville.
Swimming is also available at Cliffside Lake
in the Highlands District. It is a small lake with a picnic area and
campground nearby.
A trip down one of the whitewater rivers of western
North Carolina is bound to be a wet, wild experience. Whether you're
an experienced paddlers or a novice, there's an adventure waiting for
you. Commercial river outfitters cam help plan a trip to fit your skill
level and provide any equipment you might need.
The Nantahala River is one of the most popular
whitewater rivers in the country, drawing over 250,000 boaters every
year. With the river right beside US 19, south of Bryson City, the Nantahala
provides a whitewater experience that's fun to watch, as well as to
do. An overlook and walkway gives spectators a thrilling view of boaters
running the final series of rapids and a small waterfall before the
take-out point.
Golden Age and Golden Access Passports
Golden Age Passports are available for National Forest visitors over
62 years of age. Golden Access Passports are available to "persons
who are blind or permanently disabled." Both Passports provide
50 percent discount on campground use fees. There is a $10 "processing
fee" for the Golden Age Passport. The Passports may be obtained
from Forest Service offices, National Parks and Monuments and federal
information centers. Given the economic condition of the country and
mood of the Congress, availability and fee structure of these passports
may change. Check with the sources referenced above for latest information.
History:
On July 9, 1936 the Forest Service was reorganized
to follow state boundaries and what was originally incorporated into
the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests was reorganized and the
Chattahoochee National Forest was proclaimed as a separate National
Forest to be headquartered in Gainesville, Georgia.
