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BEST BRYSON CITY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
hen it comes to outdoor adventure in the Smokies, one of the
best bets for a fun and relaxing adventure in the summer months
is a trip to Fontana Lake. This gorgeous mountain lake offers 240
miles of pristine shoreline to explore, and the folks at Bryson
City Outdoors pride themselves on knowing where all of the
best spots can be found. Come see what all the excitement is about and have
a great time exercising by trying stand up paddleboarding on Fontana’s finger
lake. If relaxing on the water isn’t what you’re in the mood for, the guides at
Bryson City Outdoors can also help you plan an incredible hiking adventure
or get you started in the right direction for cycling, fishing or horseback riding.
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Local Adventure Experts: Bryson City Outdoors
169 Main Street, Bryson City, NC
(828) 342-6444 || brysoncityoutdoors.com
Paddle Fontana Lake: With 240
miles of shoreline, 90 percent of which is
owned and protected by the National Park Service
or US Forest Service, Fontana Lake is a fantastic
place for flat-water paddling. Portions of the 29-mile
lake offer unobstructed views of the Smoky’s highest
peak, Clingman’s Dome. Birds like blue herons,
kingfishers, osprey, and falcons are abundant around
the deep blue water. Although the lake is popular
with motorized boats during the summer, its many
tucked away waterfalls and quiet coves offer ample
escapes for the self-propelled explorer. The lake has
many backcountry campsites on islands and along
its shores, making it possible to combine hikes and
paddling into a multi-day adventure. Of note are the
ruins of a thousand person logging town at Proctor
campsite at Hazel Creek. Directions from
Bryson City: In addition to several private landings,
the sprawling Fontana Lake has four public boat access areas.
The most convenient from Bryson City is the Old 288 ramp.
Take US 19 S from Bryson City to SR 1323 (Slope St., by the
Kerr Drugs in town). Go 0.2 miles down Slope St. to a left at
the blinking light onto SR 1321, called Bryson Walk. Go 1.6
miles to a left, following the river to continue on Old 288,
which dead ends into the ramp after 0.8 miles.
Lonesome Pine Loop Trail:
Lonesome Pine Overlook is one of the
best views of Bryson City from the Noland Divide
Trail. The hike is a strenuous day adventure. You
should plan for 3-5 hours. It is one of our favorite
hikes and is roughly a 6.4 mile round trip hike.The
elevation gain is just over 2800 ft. The trail is well
maintained and keeps a pretty continuous slope.
There is a water source on the trail 1.5 to 2 miles
in, but don’t rely on it. Carry plenty of water and
filter any water you get out of the branch. Animals
and bicycles are not permitted on the trail. This is
true for many areas in the Great Smoky Mountains,
so make sure you check the signs before you
hike. Directions from Ashevill N