Great Smoky Mountain National Park
I have always considered myself a Rocky Mountain aficionado. After my first trip out west when I was 14 I developed an affinity for those majestic mountains that tower over everything around them. I have had countless dreams of moving somewhere in Colorado or Wyoming when my time in Houston comes to an end, but a week in Bryson City, North Carolina this summer may have changed all that.
I had actually traveled to Bryson City (BC) two years ago when I flew out for my cousin Brenae's wedding in mid June. The wedding was beautiful, the town was beautiful, but only being there for the weekend was not. I didn't have the chance to explore the area and soak up everything it has to offer...which as I found out, is a lot!
Sunrise in the Smokeys
The planning began in late spring while out for a walk with my parents and their dog Hazel (pictured below). They told me they were going to be going back to BC in the summer and that it would be great to have Addison and I join. On top of that, my brother and his girlfriend as well as my cousins were also going to make the trip so we had a full fledged family reunion in the Smokys.
Getting to Bryson City is relatively easy as there are major airports within a 3 hour drive (Atlanta and Charlotte) as well as some regional airports 1 to 2 hours away (Asheville and Greenville-Spartanburg). The drive in to town from any direction is about as scenic as drives come on the east coast. Green as far as the eye can see, with tree covered mountains carving up the landscape.
Bryson City Outdoors storefront
Once you arrive in town you’re greeted by a postcard shot of Main Street with mountains as a backdrop. It’s not Michigan Avenue but the local shops are charming with their storefronts and brick exteriors inviting you to forego the scenery and spend some time indoors.
One of the stores you need to spend some time indoors in is Bryson City Outdoors on Main Street. It has all the Bryson City gear you could ever want as well as hiking and camping equipment for any adventure. They also have a full service bar with all kinds of local craft beers on tap. And on top of that, most nights of the week they have local food trucks serve dinner to enjoy on their front patio. It really is a unique place that embodies all of the great aspects of a scenic small outdoorsy town. (PS-my cousin’s husband is a co-owner so you should definitely help the family out and check it out for yourself! Ask for Ben!...and look for Lager and Barley the friendly shop dogs and official BCO mascots)
A portion of the beer selection at Bryson City Outdoors
Ok, on to some pretty pictures!
Found on Road Dead
The splendor of a town like Bryson City is you don’t even have to look for the beautiful areas, they surround you wherever you are. For example, this photo is from the back porch of my cousin’s home. Still in town, but you have the valley view of Great Smoky National park that is a mere 2 miles north.
In fact, if you head north to the nearest park entrance on Deep Creek road, you can get to hiking trails within 8 minutes. You can wake up at 7:30 in the morning and be hiking in one of America’s greatest National Parks by 8:00...even with a deer related traffic jam on the way.
Tom Branch Falls
The trails that will greet you from the Deep Creek trailhead aren’t some lame, roadside attraction type trails either. You will be hiking along an Appalachian stream as clear as the mountain air. Within the first half mile you will be treated to the sights and sounds of Tom Branch Falls, a 100’ tall waterfall that cascades down the side of an embankment on the other side of the creek. Benches and shade await so you can rest your still-fresh legs with a waterfall view.
From the falls, the trails continue along the creek for about a mile until they start to split and give you more options on how to traverse the park. One such trail will take you straight to the state line of Tennesse and North Carolina and the summit of Clingman’s Dome, the highest point within Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Of course, if you aren’t feeling the 13 mile (each way) and 3,000’ foot elevation gain hike, you can drive through the park to a convenient parking lot with panoramic views of the entire region.
Clingman’s Dome Spaceship style observation tower
A quick, but steep half mile hike from the parking lot will take you to the space ship inspired observation tower at the top of the mountain. It is a quick hike, but with a starting elevation of over 6,300’… be prepared to suck wind, often. But stay the course because the views from the tower are even better than the parking lot. You have a full 360 degree vantage point of everything. Tennessee, North Carolina, Bryson City, Fontana Lake, Gatlinburg, the Eiffel Tower…just miles and miles of mountain layers await. I can’t recommend this attraction enough.
Once you get back down to base camp, your next stop should be Fontana Lake which is a few miles west of Bryson City proper. Fontana Lake is a finger lake that bobs and weaves between tree covered mountains ensuring you always have your own slice of solitude. Parts of the lake are narrow enough that two boats feel tight when passing each other, but it also opens up to give you views of the mountains that aren’t lining the lake. One thing you should also stay cognizant of is the weather because those storms will creep up on you behind the mountains. Just when you think it’s a perfect time to drop anchor and work on those tan lines, you could end up scrambling to find cover from a truly shocking lightning show! Don’t ask me how I know this.
Fontana Lake boat launch
These are just a few of the attractions waiting for you in this little section of western North Carolina. As someone who has seen a large sampling of what this country has to offer from a landscape standpoint, Bryson City is about as beautiful and quaint as towns come. The outdoor lifestyle is abundant and the wildlife is just as impressive. If you haven’t made it to this corner of America yet, you’re doing yourself a disservice. So do yourself a favor, make some time for an Appalachian getaway this year and head to the mountains of North Carolina. Thank me later.
Below are some other photos from the trip from all around town:
