Bryson City, Swain County, North Carolina

Bryson City, Swain County, North Carolina Explore Bryson City, North Carolina - The Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Hiking, waterfalls, whitewater, zipline, fishing, creek tubing, Fontana Lake, lake watersports. Welcome to Bryson City, North Carolina - the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Great Smoky Mountains. Treat yourself to some well-deserved rest and relaxation in Bryson City. With wide-open spaces, fresh air and easy access to nature, our remote location provides you with plenty of room to roam. Whether you crave a fresh-air adventure or a peaceful sojourn, there are a wealth of enticing options. From majestic mountain landscapes to scenic hiking trails to spectacular train excursions, to a vibrant downtown, to the pristine waters of Fontana Lake and the Nantahala River, experience the outdoors of Bryson City and the Great Smoky Mountains. For your next vacation, consider our less crowded destination - an under-the-radar town and surrounding region far from crowds. Located one hour west of Asheville and three hours north of Atlanta.

09/20/2026

Looking for a fun and educational experience the whole family will enjoy? Head to Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground & Gem Mine, located just one mile from the Deep Creek entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. https://brys.onl/DCgems

Kids can try their hand at gem mining, discover colorful stones and minerals, and learn a little about the geology of the Smoky Mountains along the way. It’s hands-on, educational, and a fun way to turn a family outing into a treasure-hunting adventure! Make a day of it and combine your gem-mining adventure with Deep Creek’s waterfalls, hiking trails and refreshing mountain streams just minutes away.

Guess who made the Top 10 Best Places to See Fall Colors in the United States?  Bryson City! We were nominated by an exp...
09/18/2026

Guess who made the Top 10 Best Places to See Fall Colors in the United States? Bryson City! We were nominated by an expert panel at USA TODAY 10Best and then voted into the Top 10 by their readers and our fans. https://brys.onl/LeafGuide

"Bryson City is especially beautiful in autumn, when the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains blaze with brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike and bike miles of scenic trails, paddle peaceful waterways, and take in sweeping mountain views set against peak fall color. Nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers outstanding leaf-peeping, while the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad provides a memorable ride through some of the region’s most stunning seasonal scenery. It’s the perfect base camp for enjoying the beauty and adventure of fall in the mountains."

09/17/2026

Looking for the best waterfall hike in the Smokies? Head to Deep Creek for three stunning waterfalls along an easy 2.5-mile round-trip hike! https://brys.onl/3Waterfalls

See Tom Branch Falls, Indian Creek Falls and Juney Whank Falls as you wander through a beautiful forest filled with cool mountain air, rushing streams and plenty of places to stop and enjoy the scenery.

It’s the perfect late-summer adventure—and an easy way to experience three waterfalls in one hike!

📍 Deep Creek | Great Smoky Mountains National Park

09/16/2026

All aboard for fall in the Smokies! There’s something magical about experiencing the colors of autumn from the window of a train. This fall, climb aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and settle in for a scenic journey through the mountains, where golden hardwoods, mountain streams and spectacular fall vistas unfold along the way. https://brys.onl/TrainTickets

09/15/2026

Looking for a beautiful fall hike in the Smokies? Kephart Prong Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a peaceful journey through the forest along the rushing waters of Kephart Prong. https://brys.onl/KephartProngBut before you even hit the trail, there’s a picture-perfect moment waiting for you—the trailhead begins with a charming bridge crossing the Oconaluftee River.

Surrounded by mountains and autumn color, the bridge and river create a stunning setting for fall photos. 📸🍁 Then follow the trail into the forest for a beautiful hike filled with mountain scenery, streams and the peaceful sights and sounds of the Smokies.

📍 Kephart Prong Trail | Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Visiting the Bryson City area in late September? Start your fall color chase here! https://brys.onl/FallCalendarHistoric...
09/14/2026

Visiting the Bryson City area in late September? Start your fall color chase here! https://brys.onl/FallCalendar

Historically, some of the first fall colors in the area begin showing up at higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway in late September. If you're ready to catch those early pops of autumn, make a scenic drive and check out:

🍁 Graveyard Fields – High-elevation scenery, hiking trails, waterfalls, and some of the earliest fall color of the season.

🏔️ Devil’s Courthouse – A dramatic mountain landmark with sweeping views and changing foliage at elevation.

🍂 Cowee Mountain Overlook – Pull over, take in the panoramic mountain views, and watch the landscape begin its transformation into fall.

Fall doesn’t arrive all at once in the Smokies—it starts at the top and works its way down. So if you’re visiting Bryson City in late September, head for the high country and see if you can spot the first signs of autumn! (photos are not current, but from a previous year in late September)

09/13/2026

Imagine launching a paddleboard from a secluded cove surrounded by a National Park. That’s the kind of adventure waiting for you on Fontana Lake. Glide across crystal-clear mountain waters, explore quiet coves, and take in the forest-covered peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains all around you. https://brys.onl/paddle

With The Sunny Day Adventure Company, getting out on the water is part of the adventure. Whether you’re an experienced paddler or trying SUP for the first time, there’s something pretty special about exploring the Smokies from the water.

Less crowded. More adventure. All Smoky Mountains. ❤️

Think the Nantahala Gorge is just for whitewater rafting? Think again! There’s so much more to discover along this stunn...
09/11/2026

Think the Nantahala Gorge is just for whitewater rafting? Think again! There’s so much more to discover along this stunning stretch of the Smokies. Cast a line and enjoy a peaceful day of fishing, chase waterfalls tucked into the mountains, take a scenic drive through the gorge, and refuel at some of the area’s great restaurants. https://brys.onl/NantahalaGorge

Whether you’re seeking adventure or simply looking for a beautiful place to slow down and take it all in, the Nantahala Gorge is worth the drive.

Come explore a different side of the Nantahala! 💙

09/09/2026

Tom Branch Falls: Summer vs. Fall. Same waterfall. Two completely different kinds of beautiful. https://brys.onl/TomBranchFalls

☀️ Summer at Tom Branch Falls: Lush green forests, cool mountain water, and the perfect setting for a refreshing hike along Deep Creek.

🍁 Fall at Tom Branch Falls: A colorful transformation as the surrounding hardwoods put on their annual show, framing the waterfall in brilliant shades of gold, orange, and red.

Located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tom Branch Falls is one of those places that makes you want to come back in every season.

Which view is your favorite—summer green or fall color? 👇

Address

2 Everett Street
Bryson City, NC
28713

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bryson City, Swain County, North Carolina posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Bryson City, Swain County, North Carolina:

Shortcuts

Share