The Fire Mountain Trails can wait. Your safety can’t.

Experience the breathtaking surroundings and long-range views of Sequoyah National Golf Club. Here, our exquisitely beautiful mountain course mixes with ancient Cherokee culture and the most modern golfing experience you can have. For instance, our new Visage GPS tracks your score, provides precise yardage, and lets you order from the golf shop or grill.

Swing into summer.

If you've ever wanted to do your best Tarzan impression and swing on a rope followed by a deep dive into a cool, clear river, we have the adventure for you. Though the rope swing we’re describing is a little challenging to get to, most agree it’s well worth your while to find. There are two routes: either begin with a tubing adventure on the Oconaluftee, so you eventually float down and find the area the locals refer to as Piney Grove Beach or take Big Cove Road and take a local with you. It isn’t easy to find if you take the road, but very easy if you access it via tube. You’ll discover the rope swing is part of a big swimming hole near the river, so there’s plenty of fun to go around. The Cherokee Welcome Center can get you started in the right direction.

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The Fire Mountain Trails are Cherokee’s newest source for big adventure—a multiuse trail system that’s made to mountain bike, hike, or run. The network of trails is more than 10.5 miles total, so there’s plenty of room for everyone to recreate safely, responsibly…and flowy?

That’s right—if you like your trails with a nice flow of features, with fun berms and quick hits of elevation that are manageable and fun, Fire Mountain is made for you. You’ll find tables, rock gardens, and blinds for those who know, along with single-track and wider sections, spots that are smooth and fast, and trails that invite the more technically accomplished with options for those less so. The trailhead is located about 100 yards from the Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee and shares a parking lot. The trails interlace through the nearby Great Smoky Mountains, so you already know the views and terrain will take your breath away, even if your recreation of choice doesn’t!

Is it the flowiest trail in the east? Better than Ridgeline? Check the video or better yet, judge it for yourself during an overnight stay in Cherokee. Trails are free of charge, and open every day, all day.

In Cherokee, we welcome fishermen (and women!) of all stripes, creeds, color, and ability. To that end, we continually try to improve the fishing experience for our fishing audience with special needs. There are a host of handicapped-accessible fishing spots throughout the Qualla Boundary. Have a look at the map for precise locations, drop a line, and enjoy. 

Explore Judaculla's Dance Hall, known as Devil's Courthouse, another scenic destination for giant chasers. Beyond it, Looking Glass Rock and Pilot Knob carry stories of the giant and make great picnic spots. 

View Judaculla’s Farm, now called Judaculla Old Fields, from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and then fish for trout in the Tuckaseegee River.

Take a scenic hike to Judaculla Rock to see the ancient petroglyphs considered by the Cherokee people to be Judaculla’s footprint.

Cherokee is situated just outside the gateway to the legendary Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most beautiful, biodiverse parks in the Southeast. World-class hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and horseback riding are available in this wooded paradise at Cherokee’s doorstep.

Take a ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a definite highlight of any trip to Cherokee and Western North Carolina. This extensive, winding roadway takes you through some of the most breathtaking mountain views in the country. No trip is complete without a family drive, bike ride, or a motorcycle tour on the Parkway.

A perfect stop for families, Oconaluftee Islands Park is an island oasis among the waters of the rushing Oconaluftee River. Wade in the refreshing waters along the riverbank. Enjoy a quiet picnic. Or walk around the nature trails before exploring the rest of our Cherokee attractions.

Visit Mingus Mill near the Mountain Farm Museum, and explore one of the most historic sites in the region, surrounded by some of Cherokee country’s finest hiking trails and numerous historic landmarks. Mingus Mill is the ideal place for those looking to immerse themselves in the natural world of the Cherokee people.

The Smokemont Riding Stables, located within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offers some of the best horseback riding in North Carolina. You can enjoy short hourly rides, longer excursions to Cherokee’s waterfalls, or wagon rides through the Cherokee landscape. With well-seasoned and sure-footed horses, and knowledgeable and friendly guides, this is a Cherokee attraction you simply can’t miss.

Take a walking tour along the beautiful Oconaluftee River Trail. From the start of the trailhead, wander along the banks of our pristine river, enjoying natural quiet spots and informative trail markers, before arriving at the Mountain Farm Museum, a collection of some of the oldest cabins and log buildings in all of Cherokee.

Although you may experience tranquility and peace in the calm beauty of Cherokee’s many waterways, ponds, and waterfalls, there is nothing quite like the thrill of an exciting tubing excursion. Take your family on a tubing adventure offered by one of Cherokee’s many rafting and tubing companies on various Cherokee rivers. Find the perfect tubing experience at the Cherokee Visitor Center.

One of the many Cherokee waterways, Soco Falls is a cascading masterpiece for those who journey to its resting place in the heart of Cherokee. Take a moment, and revel in the lush wilderness that surrounds you. You may find it difficult to leave a place that seems so secluded, while only being a short distance away from the rest of Cherokee.

Arguably the most stunning cascade in the region, Mingo Falls will hold your attention for hours. So bring a picnic, recline on the rocks, and bask in the iridescent spray. Your friends will certainly be impressed by the pictures, yet even more so if you can recount a good Cherokee legend to go along with them. Will it be the water bears or the storm spirits? You can imagine the Aniyvdaqualosgi up in the sky above the falls as you listen to the thundering of the water. Just try to be grumpy here; you’ll find it’s just about impossible. 

Directions: From the Saunooke Village shopping area in downtown Cherokee, drive north on Big Cove Road approximately 5 miles (past the KOA Campground) to the Mingo Falls parking lot. 

Surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, it’s no surprise that Cherokee is one of the top spots for viewing wildlife like the native elk. You also shouldn’t hesitate to explore the several species of birds. Cherokee is a treasure trove of outdoor wildlife waiting to be discovered through new eyes.

Welcome to the most pristine, well-stocked waters east of the Mississippi. Here, you can fill your livewell or basket with more than just fish. This is where historic cultural stories and experiences enrich every vacation. Learn about the ancient fishing weir, which once served as a significant tool for the Cherokee to provide subsistence for their villages. Grab a multi-day permit at any of our 28 fishing license locations in Cherokee or online at FishCherokee.com.