Waterfall Hero Hikes: Oconaluftee (GSMNP)

The Oconaluftee area of Great Smoky Mountain National Park is located in Swain County, North Carlina just past Cherokee. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is the main visitor center on the North Carolina side of the park and is adjacent to the Mountain Farm Museum. Smokemont is a large developed campground in the area and backcountry camping sites are found along trails in the area. Additionally, the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway is here, leading over 400 miles into Virginia.

Map:

Trails:

Bradley Fork Trail

Bradley Fork Trail starts at Smokemont Campground and follows its namesake upstream, ending at Sluice Gap Trail.

Chasteen Creek Trail

Chasteen Creek Trail splits from Bradley Fork Trail and follows its namesake upstream and ends at Enloe Creek Trail.

Oconaluftee River Trail

Oconaluftee River Trail leads from the Visitor Center to Cherokee along the river and crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is the only trail on the North Carolina side of the park that is open to leashed dogs.

Points of Interest:

Chasteen Creek Falls

Chasteen Creek Falls is a small cascading waterfall.

Mingus Mill

Mingus Mill is a restored 19th century grist mill just 2 miles north of the visitor center on US-441.

Mountain Farm Museum

The Mountain Farm Museum next to the visitor center has 19th century farm buildings and livestock on display.

Camping:

Smokemont Campground is a large developed campground a few miles from Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Additionally, there are several backcountry campsites in the area.