Have a little extra time after enjoying breakfast in your mountain cabin? Enjoy a day hike on Noland Creek Trail in Bryson City. While the trail totals 10.2 miles, from the parking lot and trailhead located on Lakeview Drive , known as “The Road to Nowhere” by the locals, you can turn this into a leisurely 3 mile hike. Once you enter the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the parking lot will be on the left hand side just before the bridge. Next to the bridge, also on the left, you will see the sign for Noland Creek Trail. This is a short downhill connecting trail, from the t-intersection, go left (or south) to follow Noland Creek downstream to its end at Lake Fontana. A very peaceful hike with several bridges crossing the creek. The path is easy and mostly flat, with the exception of the connecting trail.

Enjoyed the short hike and need a little more? Go north on Noland Creek trail. This is a gradual uphill hike into the Smokies that rises above the creek and eventually meets up with Noland Divide Trail at Upper Sassafras Gap which can be taken down to the Deep Creek area.

Noland Creek is a great place for trout fishing and camping. Make sure you have all of the proper permits and licenses. This trail is also open to horseback riders. The trail is well maintained and wide enough for everyone!