Tellico Plains, North Carolina
Top Spots in and near Tellico Plains
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Tellico Plains, North Carolina
Hike to Whiggs Meadow
3 mi / 700 ft gainYou will start your hike off of the Cherohala Skyway. The trail-head is a small asphalt pull-off on the right if you are coming from Tellico Plains. From the trail-head the trail starts up and almost all of the trial is an uphill incline on the way there with about 700 feet of elevation change ov...Read more -
Robbinsville, North Carolina
Hike Hooper Bald
1 mi / 250 ft gainHooper bald is one of the highest points in Graham County so the views from the top can be spectacular year round. The trail-head starts at mile marker 8 on the Cherohala Skyway. From the trail-head you start your accent on a semi-paved trail and walk about a half-mile before reaching the edge o...Read more -
Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Hike to Falls Branch Falls
5.02.6 mi / 540 ft gainTo get to the trailhead, drive 22.5 miles on the Cherohala Skyway from Tellico Plains, Tennessee. If you are coming from the North Carolina side, drive 20.5 miles to the trailhead. The trailhead parking area is marked by a large green sign saying West Rattlesnake and is surrounded by a low stone ...Read more -
Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina
Huckleberry Knob
4.81.77 mi / 295 ft gainHuckleberry Knob is the highest point in the Cheoah Ranger District at 5,560 feet, and it offers expansive views of the surrounding Cherokee and Natahala National Forest. The hike is 2.4 miles roundtrip and begins at the parking lot between mile 8 and 9 up an old dirt road. You will go up the di...Read more -
Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Explore North River Road
4.7If you're looking to get off the beaten path and take the road less traveled, North River Road is your ticket to solitude.A popular loop for the locals is starting on Tellico River Road, then getting on North River Road to make your way up the mountain all the way to the Cherohala Skyway. Take th...Read more -
Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Camp at North River Campground and Dispersed Campsites
North River Road is located in the Nantahala National Forest near Tellico Plains. To get to North River Campground you can either drive up the Cherohala Skyway about 6 miles then turn when you see the sign for the campground and bald river falls. Another way to get to the campsites along North Ri...Read more -
Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, North Carolina
Backpack Slickrock Creek Trail #42
30 mi / 3700 ft gain8:30 a.m. and we’re winding our way down Highway 129 near Robbinsville, NC. The fog is still thick over the Little Tennessee River as we slow down crossing the bridge into Graham County. “I think we missed it,” I say as we continue onward. Within minutes the Tapoco Lodge comes into view. My pre-h...Read more -
Vonore, Tennessee
Camp at Citico Creek
5.0There are a few options for getting to Citico Creek, you can either go up the windy gravel road from US 411 or get off of the Cherohala Skyway and go down the mountain past the Indian Boundary campground. The Citico Creek campground has about 5 or 6 spots but is rarely full because it is very sec...Read more -
Robbinsville, North Carolina
Hike Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest Loop
5.02 miThe beauty of this trail starts at the parking lot. Before you start the trail, you will find a picnic table near the parking lot and go down to the edge of the rolling stream. Its a great spot to hear the stream and take some pictures. If you are feeling adventurous you can try to hop from rock ...Read more -
Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Exploring Bald River Falls
4.8If you're looking to check out a secnic waterfall in East Tennessee, Bald River Falls is sure to be on your list. At 90 feet, you can't miss this roaring beauty during any season. Also, Tellico Plains is an awesome mountain town in itself; check it out before or after your hike.To get to Bald Riv...Read more -
Robbinsville, North Carolina
Hike the Big Fat Gap Trail
12 mi / 3000 ft gainThere are many trailheads leading into the wilderness on either the Tennessee or North Carolina side. My favorite is the Big Fat Gap trail on the North Carolina side at an elevation of 3,060'. To see the best of what this area has to offer take the Hangover Lead South Trail to the 5,180' Hangover...Read more -
Robbinsville, North Carolina
Paddle The Cheoah River
5.0The Cheoah River is a dam controlled section of whitewater that has become one of the "bucket runs" for Western, North Carolina. Located near Robbinsville, NC, the Cheoah is a non-stop class IV+ classic of constant gradient that delivers a Southeastern whitewater experience like no other. There ...Read more -
Robbinsville, North Carolina
Gregory Bald via Twentymile
4.015.42 mi / 3694 ft gainGregory Bald via Twentymile is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Robbinsville, North Carolina.Read more -
Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Drive the Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway
5.0The Cherohala Skway is one of the National Scenic byways in America it spans over 43 curvy miles from Tellico Planes, Tennessee to Robbinsville, North Carolina. On the Skyway there are many overlooks ranging elevations from 2000-5200 feet all have beautiful views and different view points. The pa...Read more -
Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Hike to Conasauga Falls
4.51.5 mi / 400 ft gainGetting to the trailhead can be a challenge if there has been any heavy precipitation or icy conditions due to the fact the last two miles are one mile of broken pavement and the last mile a dirt road. You should be fine in good conditions in any car; however, just make sure to take it easy on th...Read more -
Fontana Dam, North Carolina
Hike to Shuckstack Fire Tower
5.07 mi / 2100 ft gainYour Shuckstack adventure starts at the Fontana Dam outside of Bryson City, NC. As the highest dam East of the Rocky Mountains, it's a sight on its own. This will be your last chance to fill up water bottles and use the restroom so take advantage.You can leave on foot from the dam and continue al...Read more
Top Activities
Camping and Lodging in Tellico Plains
North River Road
Mcnabb Creek Group
Overview
McNabb Creek Group Campground is located on the North River in the Tellico River area. Fishing, swimming, hiking and hunting are...
North River Road
Donley Cabin
Overview
Donley Cabin is a primitive and historic structure in the heart of the Cherokee National Forest, offering visitors a glimpse of ...
Robbinsville, North Carolina
Rattler Ford Group Campground
Overview
Rattler Ford Group Campground sits near the swift-moving Santeetlah Creek in the Nantahala National Forest. Groups of up to 25 ...
Cheoah, North Carolina
Swan Cabin
Overview
Nestled in a remote area of Nantahala National Forest, this primitive log cabin was built in 1931 by Frank Swan in a different l...
Robbinsville, North Carolina
Cheoah Point Campground
Overview
Cheoah Point Campground lies on a peninsula of the vast Lake Santeetlah in the hills of western North Carolina. The lake and sur...
Vonore, Tennessee
Young Branch Horse Camp
Overview
Young Branch Campground is situated near Citico Creek. It is one of Cherokee National Forest's two horse campgrounds. Visitors e...
