NANTAHALA RIVER GORGE
Take some extra time to enjoy this scenic
natural wonderland
NANTAHALA The Nantahala River flows through the scenic
Nantahala River Gorge in Swain and Macon Counties in the Nantahala National
Forest of Western North Carolina. The 8 ½ mile stretch of the river from
the Beechertown Power Plant to Fontana Lake is home to the most popular
whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking in the Southeast. In addition to the
whitewater sports, the Nantahala River Gorge provides for a variety of
additional recreational activities including fishing, hiking, gemstone mining,
picnicing, photography, plant and wildlife viewing, bird watching and viewing
the popular whitewater sports.
The Cherokee called the Nantahala the "Land of the Noonday
Sun" because the walls on either side of the River towered so tall that the
direct light of the sun could only shine into the Gorge during the middle part
of the day when it reached its highest point in the sky. James Mooney, an early
ethnologist who lived among the Cherokee at the turn of the century, recorded
in his "Myths of the Cherokee" that the name Nantahala is a mispronunciation of
the Cherokee word "Nun-daye-li" meaning "middle sun". The Nantahala Gorge was
an established trail of the earliest Cherokee when they traveled back &
forth between their villages from the Valley areas of Andrews to the Middle
Towns along the Tuckaseegee and Little Tennessee Rivers. The Cherokee
considered the Nantahala Gorge a spiritual place. Their legends told of of
Uktena, the giant horned serpent, and the mischievous "little people" who lived
in the Gorge.
In the late 1700's white settlers moved into the area and
established homesteads and small communities. In the 1940's a number of dams
were built in the area forming man-made lakes including the Nantahala. A
massive concrete power station was built to provide hydroelectric power to the
mountain area. Giant pipes carry water from Nantahala Lake across the mountains
to the Beechertown power plant where it is dropped down on giant turbines to
produce hydroelectric power. After going through the turbines the water is sent
rushing out of the powerhouse and down the famous 8 ½ mile stretch of
the Nantahala River between the power plant and Fontana Lake creating one of
the most popular whitewater rafting attractions in the United States! People
from all over the world come to participate in the fun and exciting whitewater
sports on the Nantahala. In addition to generating hydroelectricity the power
plant provides a good dependable water supply for whitewater rafting all year
long. Today the term "Nantahala" is synonomous with whitewater adventure.
People can be seen wearing "I Survived the Nantahala" or "Paddle or Die"
T-Shirts and shopping in the gift shops, dining in the restaurants and
participating in all the activities provided in this outdoor adventure capital
that is still known today as the "Land of the Noonday Sun".
The Nantahala River Gorge is a beautiful natural environment
and it is host to a wide variety of plant and animal life. Its rugged terrain
offers a diversity of habitat ranging from the lower river gorge to the high
majestic peaks. Both deciduous and evergreen trees make up the impressive
Nantahala National Forest. A wide variety of lichens, ferns, mosses and
herbaceous plants can be seen in the higher elevations. In the lower gorge a
diverse plant population provides lush ground cover and it is a wildflower
lovers paradise with many varieties of flowering plants that can be seen in the
spring, summer and fall. A variety of animals including bear, deer, raccoon,
opposum, fox, squirrels & rabbits make the forest their home and a great
variety of birds live in the canopy adding their calls and songs to the sounds
of the forest.
U.S. Highway 19/74 travels along the south side of the river
and provides access to the Nantahala Gorge. Travelers are treated to the sights
of happy paddlers rafting down the Nantahala River. The Great Smoky Mountains
Scenic Railroad runs along the north side of the river treating the train
riders to the whitewater show from the train. Access to the backcountry of the
Nantahala River Gorge is provided by a number of hiking, biking and horseback
riding trails. Plan to take some extra time to enjoy this scenic natural
wonderland in this friendly mountain community that has become a popular
destination for whitewater fans and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the
world.
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