ncsu83

My wife and I are looking for a place in the mountains to visit this summer with our 9 and 10 year old sons. We've been to the Gatlinburg area and Grandfather Mountain area. We are considering going to Nantahala. We'd like to hike, bike, ride horses and go white water rafting. Do you have recommendations on rafting companies and types of trips? Any other suggestions?

starrs

Either http://www.wildwaterrafting.com/nantahala.php or www.noc.com
Both are great companies and do great whitewater rafting trips on the Nantahala. Just be sure to get a guided raft trip. I don't like the "assisted guided" option - especially with kids in the raft.
Be sure to have clean, dry clothes to change into.
BTW, Crocs work great on - and in - the river. Don't ask me how I know.

shelly_m

My parents have a place outside of Bryson City, and we go out to NOC every summer. My family has rafted out there a couple of times. We used the actual NOC raft service, though there are several to choose from. I agree with Starrs regarding the guide. I had my 13-year-old in the raft with me, and I felt much better about having a guide right there. Other people on our trip who used the assisted guided option had a really rough time.

BTW, there is lots to do out at NOC. Even if we are not rafting, we go out at least once every trip to have lunch and watch the other rafters. They have a couple different dining options and some rafting/gift shops, and it's just a nice place to spend the day. The River's End restaurant has excellent food and is a good place for watching folks on the river.

Enjoy your trip! We're heading up there in July. Can't wait.

Photodog

If you are in the mood for more rafting about 2 hrs away you can do the Hiwassee and the Ocoee both in Tennessee. Also near Tellico is Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and the Cherola Skyway.

starrs

If you want more rafting, just head south on 441 from Bryson City and do the Chattooga. They also have a ropes course.

Rent a boat and go out on Lake Burton. LOTS to do in the area.

SLWR

I'm a fan of the Bryson City area. I used to do some work over there so I was there a lot.

Like everyone mentioned above, there are a lot of rafting companies near the Nantahala, the thing that makes the NOC (Nantahla Outdoor Center) best is that it's located at the end of the rafting run. So, when you finish you can leave. The other company's bus you there and back and if you finish ahead of the pack, you can be stuck sitting by the bus for awhile.

And although the food can be good (but isn't always) the service at The Rivers End tends to be horrible. Plan to spend a lot of time if you eat there. Don't get me wrong, I've eaten there many times, but the service is iffy, since it's all summer helpers and they aren't always the best trained.

If you need a place to stay near Bryson City, I'd recommend WatershedCabins.com. They manage a bunch of cabins and have a large price range depending on what you're looking for...oh, and the best part, they all have hot tubs!

And last, my favorite places to eat in Bryson City, there's an italian place called Pascalino's located on Everett St. in town, and if you want a simple pizza Anthony's at the other end of town is pretty good too.

Have a good trip!

chewy1

Did the same deal with 9-11 yr old boys...great trip! A couple decent drops, but a fun ride.

Maggie Valley's not too far if you like to do some touristy things. The Lionel Train Museum in Bryson City and the train ride to Dillsboro is fun as well, it goes along the Tuckaseegee.