Outdoor Activities in Western North Carolina, Home of the 2013 Freestyle Kayaking World Championships

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Mailing: P.O. Box 1490
Bryson City, NC 28713
Local 800-872-4861
TF 888-604-3075
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Train excursions into river gorges, across valleys and through tunnels carved out of mountains. Excursions include Nantahala Gorge, Dinosaur Train, Polar Express, Mystery Theatre Dinner Train and other themed events. Ticket includes admission to Smoky Mountains Museum, with 7,000 Lionel engines, cars and accessories; and impressive operating layout.

US Forest Service - Nantahala Ranger District

Physical: 90 Sloan Road
Franklin, NC 28734
Local 828-524-6441
US Forest Service - Nantahala Ranger District The Nantahala National Forest is 830 sq miles of public land located around Bryson City, Cashiers, Franklin, Highlands, Murphy and Sylva. Dramatic mountain views abound because of changes in elevation, ranging from 1,200 ft to 5,800 ft. Scenic driving, camping, hiking, mountain biking, waterfall viewing, paddling, fishing and hunting are the primary recreation activities.

The Storytelling Center of the Southern Appalachians at Bryson City

Physical: 225C Everett Street
Bryson City, NC 28713
View Additional Addresses
Local 828-488-5705
The Storytelling Center of the Southern Appalachians at Bryson City The Storytelling Center is where the past is given to the present to carry forward to the future. The heritage of this area known as the Back of Beyond is preserved, documented, displayed, and offered, in the oldest tradition of the mountains, The Oral Tradition. Come, stop, look, listen, and then, revel, with the knowledge imparted to you by Tim “Seanachai of the Mountains”.

Payette River Games

Physical: Kelly's Whitewater Park - State Hwy 55
Cascade, ID 83611
Local 208-634-2502
Payette River Games The 2nd Annual Payette River Games will be held June 20th-22nd, 2014 at Kelly's in Cascade, Idaho. We have a record $100,000 in purse money in kayak ($50,000) & SUP ($50,000). Other venues with large purses are beach volleyball, disc golf, golf, climbing, fitness, to name a few.

The Wilderness Society

Physical: 563 West Main Street, Suite 1
Sylva, NC 28779
Local 828-587-9453
The Wilderness Society Founded in 1935, our mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. In North Carolina, we are working to expand protection of existing wild lands on the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest through our North Carolina’s Mountain Treasures campaign and our Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards program.

Rockbrook Camp for Girls

Mailing: P.O. Box 792
Brevard, NC 28712
Local 828-884-6151
Rockbrook Camp for Girls A traditional sleepaway summer camp for girls located in Brevard, NC. Specializing in whitewater kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, horseback riding, arts and crafts, and sports. Girls ages 6-16 attend for 2-, 3- or 4-week sessions. Established in 1921.

Endless River Adventures: North Carolina, Costa Rica and Ecuador

Physical: 14157 US Highway 19/74 West
Bryson City, NC 28713
Local 828-488-6199
TF 800-224-7238
Endless River Adventures: North Carolina, Costa Rica and Ecuador A proud member of the Nantahala Community with renowned kayak instruction, whitewater rafting on the Nantahala, Ocoee and Cheoah, fly fishing, and a Boater's Store featuring Wave Sport kayaks. Adventure travel specializing in Costa Rica and Ecuador. Just one mile upstream of the Freestyle event. Please stop by!

Rescue Instructors Group

Physical: 705 Briggs Road
Salisbury, NC 28147
Local 919-609-2415
Rescue Instructors Group Rescue Instructors Group (RIG) is proud to be the official whitewater safety provider of the 2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships. Rescue Instructors Group is the official provider of Rescue 3 International training programs. With over 30 years of experience in over 32 countries, Rescue 3's refined techniques and curriculum set the international standard in water and rope rescue. Classes offered in concert with NOC.

Stecoah Valley Center

Physical: 121 Schoolhouse Road
Stecoah, NC 28771
Local 828-479-3364
Stecoah Valley Center Located in a renovated, 1920s-era stone schoolhouse, Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center provides authentic Appalachian experiences with its summer concert series and other music programs, an artisans’ gallery, farmers market, festivals, and classes in heritage crafts and culinary arts.

Land Trust for the Little Tennessee

Physical: P.O. Box 1148
Franklin, NC 28744
Local 828-524-2711
Land Trust for the Little Tennessee The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee (LTLT) works to conserve forest, farms, water and heritage of the upper Little Tennessee and Hiwassee River valleys which includes the far six western counties. Everyone who lives in our project areas benefits from the permanent conservation of these resources.

Nantahala Outdoor Center

Physical: 13077 Highway 19 West
Bryson City, NC 28713
TF 888-905-7238
Nantahala Outdoor Center Rated "One of the Best Outfitter's on Earth" by National Geographic Adventure, NOC has been the leader in the rafting industry since 1972. NOC offers family friendly adventures rafting and paddling the Nantahala River, as well as riverside dining, lodging, shopping, zip lines, mountain bike rentals, lake kayaking, wilderness medicine training and our world famous Paddling School.