Nantahala National Forest (NNF)

Adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains, NNF was established in 1920 and is the largest of NC’s national forests with a half-million acres of pristine woodlands, spectacular waterfalls and over 600 + miles of trails. Nantahala is a Cherokee word meaning “Land of the Noonday Sun”. The forest’s highest point is the Appalachian summit of Lone Bald at 5800 feet. The Nantahala River offers excellent rafting, canoeing, and kayaking and is one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the country. Three picturesque reservoirs are nestled among the mountains in the Nantahala National Forest, offering boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, and camping. Click on the image to visit one of two websites to learn more. The second is the USDA’s Forest Service information on NNF. Scroll down and click on the plus signs alongside each activity of interest to see where to head to.