Cheoah Ranger District (Nantahala)

The Cheoah Ranger District in Nantahala National Forest covers 121,985 acres in Graham and Swain Counties.  The district contains 4 large mountain lakes, many miles of rivers and streams, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail.  The North Carolina section of the Cherohala Skyway connects the district to Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee.

Areas:

Cheoah Backcountry Area

Cheoah Backcountry Area surrounds Cheoah Bald and contains sections of the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail.

Cherohala Skyway

Cherohala Skyway runs from Santeetlah Gap into Cherokee National Forest with numerous scenic overlooks and trail access points.

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness protects an old growth forest and stretches into Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee.

Snowbird Backcountry Area

Snowbird Backcountry Area has over 30 miles of remote trails around Snowbird Creek and leading up to Cherohala Skyway.

Tsali Recreation Area

Tsali Recreation Area offers camping, water activities and a network of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Trails:

There are hundreds of miles of trails in the district.  Several long-distance trails traverse the area.

Bartram Trail

Bartram Trail runs for 5 miles through the district in Cheoah Backcountry Area from Nantahala Gorge to Cheoah Bald.

Waterfalls:

There are numerous waterfalls throughout the district.

1. Bartram Falls
2. Bear Creek Falls (Cheoah River)
3. Big Falls (Snowbird Creek)
4. Cold Branch Lower Falls
5. Findley Falls
6. Handpole Branch Falls
7. Inside Passage Falls
8. Lower Falls (Slickrock Creek)
9. Middle Falls (Snowbird Creek)
10. Sand Creek Falls
11. Sassafras Falls
12. Upper Falls (Snowbird Creek)
13. Verlie Falls

External Links:

US Forest Service website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/recreation/cheoah-ranger-district-nantahala-national-forest