Bryson City, North Carolina
Located to the west of Asheville, North Carolina, Bryson City is a peaceful mountain town that borders the world-famous Great Smoking Mountains National Park. In addition to being the home of Rolling Thunder River Company’s Nantahala Rafting Center, this charming city is also home to a number of unique shops, restaurant, galleries and hotels.
Bryson City is a vacation paradise for any outdoor lover. Surrounding the small town are numerous activities, including exciting kayaking and rafting adventures on the Nantahala River, fishing and boating on Fontana Lake, breathtaking scenic railroad excursions, mountain biking on the Tsali trails and a number of trout fishing opportunities on world class streams. There are also several waterfalls to check out and plenty of trail for hiking and horseback riding.
Bryson City History
The area that is now known as Bryson City has been inhabited by Native Americans for almost 14,000 years. The oldest Cherokee village, Kituhwa, was located along the Tuckasegee River just upstream of present-day Bryson City.
In 1889, the city officially became known as Bryson City to commemorate the services rendered to the city by Colonel Thaddeus Bryson. Since opening in 1933, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park has provided a major source of revenue for Bryson City and all of Swain County. Author and outdoors enthusiast Horace Kephart worked from Bryon City years and was an early supporter of the creation of the park.
Modern-Day Bryson City
Today, Bryson City remains a popular tourist destination for outdoors enthusiasts. It is surrounded on nearly all sides by mountains: The Great Smoky Mountains to the north, the Plott Balsams to the east and the Cowee Mountains to the south. To the south of the city also lies the boundary of the Nantahala National Forest, a popular destination for whitewater rafting and kayaking.
At Rolling Thunder River Company, we are proud to be a top Bryon City rafting outfitter. We offer the best whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River, and we strive to ensure the satisfaction and safety of each and every guest. The 2015 rafting season may be over, but it’s never too early to start planning your 2016 adventure! Visit us online to learn more about Nantahala river rafting.
