
Swain County
Geographically, the county is
spectacular. Much of it lies within the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park, including its highest peak,
Clingmans Dome. Four scenic rivers, the Nantahala, the
Tuckasegee, the Oconaluftee and the Little Tennessee flow
through the county and form the sprawling Lake Fontana, west
of Bryson City, the county seat.
The county also encompasses much of the
Cherokee Indian Reservation, with its own independent
government.
Formed in 1871 from parts of Jackson
County and Macon County, the county was named for David L.
Swain, governor of North Carolina from 1832 to 1835. The
estimated population in 2010 was 13,981. This was an
increase of 7.8% from the 2000 census.
Bryson City in Swain County is a quiet
country town in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North
Carolina, an unspoiled retreat rich with outdoor activities,
including hiking, fishing, whitewater river sports, camping,
golf and a scenic railroad. An ideal central location to
enjoy all that the Smokies have to offer.
Museum of the Cherokee Indian
Hwy 441 & Drama Road,
Cherokee, NC 28719 | Phone: 828-497-3481
The Cherokee
Indian Museum has an extensive artifact collection.
Nantahala River Gem Mine
12121 Hwy. 19 West, Bryson
City, NC 28713 | Phone: 828-488-7238
Nantahala River Gem
Mine material comes from the local area and from a variety
of mines around the world.
Nantahala Village Riding Stables
9400 Highway 19/74
West, Bryson City, NC 28713 | Phone: 828-488-8600
Nantahala Village Riding Stables offers guided trips in the
Nantahala National Forest overlooking Fontana Lake & the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Oconaluftee Indian Village at the Cherokee Historical
Association
564 Tsali Blvd. (HWY 441), Cherokee, NC 28719
| Phone: 828-497-2111
Oconaluftee Indian Village is a
recreated Cherokee Village of the 1750s. Tours by Cherokee
guides present history, crafts, early homes and mountain
forest demonstrations of beadwork, pottery, and blowguns in
a beautiful forest setting.
PaddleFish Basecamp
59 Depot Street, Bryson City, NC
28713 | Phone 828-488-8797
PaddleFish Basecamp provides
sea kayaking tours, hiking excursions, and multi-day
expeditions in the Great Smoky Mountains. Two hour,
half-day, full-day and multi-day trips are available. No
experience is necessary. All ages welcome.
Santa’s Land Fun Park and Zoo
571 Wolftown Road,
Cherokee, NC 28719 | Phone: 828-497-9191
Visit with Santa
and his elves, browse the gift shops and exhibits, and see
the domestic and exotic animals in the zoo. Santa’s Land
also has rides, picnic facilities, and dining.
Smoky Mountain Jet Boats
22 Needmore Road, Bryson
City, NC 28713 | Phone: 888 900-9091
Smoky Mountain Jet
Boats provides exhilarating, scenic rides on Fontana Lake.
Jet Boat rides can be combined with a guided hike.
Unto These Hills at the Cherokee Historical Association
564 Tsali Blvd. (HWY 441), Cherokee, NC 28719 | Phone:
828-497-2111
Unto These Hills is a drama that tells the
history of the Cherokee people from about 1540 through their
forced removal from this area in the late 1830′s.
Campgrounds and Cottages
Cottages within the area. |
Campgrounds |
Timberlake Campground, 3270 Conleys Creek Rd, Whittier, NC 28789, 828-497-7320. |
Tumbling Waters Campground |
Camp Inn |
Ela Campground |
Hide Away Campground |
Kirkland Creek Campground |
Smoky Mountain Meadow Campground |
Smoky Mountain Campground |
Deep Creek Camping |
Lost Mine Campground |
Almond Boat and RV Park |
Ridge Top Campground |