DIRECTIONS
Many love to come to the mountains just to drive the roads, excited at
the thought of the roller coaster ride provided by the undulations of
the crumpled terrain that is the Appalachian Mountains.
Below are directions to help you get around the Nantahala Gorge Area.
However, whenever heading out for a specific destination in the area,
is not unwise to call ahead and get specific directions from the location
you are heading to. They are use to it, so go ahead and call. Frequently,
the time it takes to travel from one point to the next is greatly impacted
by the curviness of the road you choose.
The Nantahala River is located on Hwy. 74 South, approximately 15 miles South of Bryson City, North Carolina. We recommend Hwy. 74, versus Hwy. 19, for time and better roads. Please check your map to confirm driving routes.
Nantahala River Put-ins
The Nantahala River, known as the Nanty to locals, has two put-ins located
on the west end of the river: the USFS launch site, located at the intersection
of Hwy 19/74 and Wayah Road (State Road 1310) and the private, Duke Power
put-in, leased by the Nantahala Gorge Association, located just up Wayah
Road and over the bridge. The Nantahala River is managed by the USFS and
all boaters must pay as daily users fee of $5 or they can purchase a yearly
pass for $25. Passes may be purchased at Adventurous Fast Rivers (828)
488-2386, Endless River Adventures (828) 488-6199 or the Nantahala Outdoor
Center (828) 488-2175.
From Asheville, NC to the Nantahala River:
Take I-40 W approximately 20 miles, to US 74 W via exit 27 toward Clyde
/ Waynesville / Murphy / Atlanta / Maggie Valley. Go 1.3 miles and merge
onto US-74 W via the exit on the left. Travel approximately 52 miles.
From Charlotte, NC to the Nantahala River:
Travel south on I-85 toward Gastonia. Go approximately 70 miles to I-26
W toward Asheville. Go approximately 60 miles and merge onto I-40 W /
Hwy 74 W toward Canton / Knoxville. Go approximately 20 miles and merge
onto Hwy 74 W toward Clyde / Waynesville / Murphy / Atlanta / Maggie Valley,
then merge onto Hwy 74 W via the exit on the left. Travel approximately
55 miles.
From Pigeon Forge, TN to the Nantahala River:
Take Parkway / US-321 N / US-441 S / TN-71 S / TN-73 / Chapman Hwy SE.
5.5 miles to the Gatlinburg By-pass ramp toward the Great Smoky Mtns National
Park. Then turn right onto the Gatlinburg By-pass / Parkway By-pass and
go approximately 4 miles. Take the US-441 / TN-71 ramp and merge onto
US-441 S toward the National Park. Go approximately 33 miles and continue
straight onto US 19. After approximately 5 miles, turn left onto Hyatt
Creek Rd. In less than 2 miles, you will merge onto US-74W. Then continue
for approximately 15 miles.
From Knoxville, TN to the Nantahala River:
Take I-40 E toward Asheville for approximately 20 miles. At exit 407,
take TN-66 toward Gatlinburg / Sevierville / Pigeon Forge. Almost immediately
turn right onto TN-66 S / Winfield Dunn Pkwy. Continue to follow TN-66
S for approximately 8 miles. TN-66 S becomes US-441 S / TN-71 S / Chapman
Hwy SE, follow this for approximately 12 miles. Take the Gatlinburg By-pass
ramp toward the Great Smoky Mtns National Park. Then turn right onto the
Gatlinburg By-pass / Parkway By-pass and go approximately 4 miles. Take
the US-441 / TN-71 ramp and merge onto US-441 S toward the National Park.
Go approximately 33 miles and continue straight onto US 19. After approximately
5 miles, turn left onto Hyatt Creek Rd. In less than 2 miles, you will
merge onto US-74W. Then continue for approximately 15 miles.
From Atlanta, GA to the Nantahala River:
Take I-85 N out of Atlanta to Exit 113, I-985 N / Lanier Pkwy, toward
Gainesville. Almost immediately merge onto GA-365 N and follow for approximately
52 miles. Stay straight to go onto US-23 N / US-441 N / GA-15 N. Continue
to follow US-23 N / US-441 N for approximately 44 miles. US-23 N / US-441
N becomes US-441 BR N / NC-28 N, then take an almost immediate left onto
US-441 BR / NC-28 / Porter St. Continue to follow NC-28 N for 25 miles.
Then take a slight left onto US-74. Continue for approximately 5 miles
to the Nantahala.
From Greenville, SC to Nantahala River:
Take US-25 N out of Greenville for approximately 24 miles. Stay straight
to go on US-25 Truck N for approximately 4 miles. Merge onto I-26 W /
US-74 W and remain for approximately 23 miles. Then merge onto I-40 W
/ US-74 W via exit 32B on the left toward Canton / Knoxville. Remain on
I-40 for approximately 18 miles. Take exit 27 onto US-74 W toward Clyde
/ Waynesville / Murphy / Atlanta / Maggie Valley. Almost immediately merge
onto US-74 W via the exit on left. Continue on US-74 W for 54 miles.
From Murphy, NC to the Nantahala River:
Follow Hwy 74 East to the Nantahala River.
From Bryson City, NC to the Nantahala River:
Take the Great Smoky Mountain Expressway (74) until US 74 bears to the
left, stay on 74 West towards Murphy, NC. Continue for approximately 5
miles to the Nantahala.
From Franklin, NC to the Nantahala River:
Take 28 North to US 74, turn left onto US 74. When highway forks, bear
left on 74 West towards Murphy, NC. Continue for approximately 5 miles
to the Nantahala.
or - (straighter roads, but more miles) Take 441 North to Dillsboro, pick
up US 74 West toward Bryson City. Stay on 74. When it bears left toward
Murphy, NC Continue for approximately 5 miles to the Nantahala.
