The Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers more than 522,000 acres in Tennessee and North Carolina. While the Tennessee side of the park sees more visitors, Cherokee, NC is a can’t-miss destination tucked away in the heart of the park’s North Carolina side. With its deep history, unique culture and rugged landscape, Cherokee is the perfect place to enjoy everything that makes the Appalachias amazing.
The Other Side of the Smokies
The drive from Pigeon Forge to Cherokee is just under 45 miles and takes just over an hour. The route is easy; find Newfound Gap Road (441-S) near the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg and head south to Cherokee! You’ll travel through the center of the Smokies and climb 3,000 feet along the way. Want to really take the scenic route? Consider a slight detour and stop at Clingmans Dome.
History of Cherokee, NC
Cherokee, NC, is home to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. The city is in the protected Qualla Boundary land trust, purchased by the tribe in 1870. Members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians descended from about 900 Cherokee people who remained in the area after the Indian Removal Act forced out more than 15,000 others in the 1830s. The boundary represents a tiny fraction of the tribe’s ancestral homeland.
Culture in Cherokee, NC
Cherokee’s history is evident everywhere! Some of the most apparent remnants of the region’s past are the street signs displayed in English and the Cherokee language syllabary. Culture abounds at attractions like Oconaluftee Indian Village, Museum of the Cherokee Indian and Mountain Farm Museum. You can find handicrafts made with generations-old techniques at Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, Inc.
Things to Do in Cherokee
While history and culture make Cherokee most unique, there are more ways to experience this side of the Smokies! Hiking trails here are known for being less traveled and more peaceful. The Oconaluftee River, famous for its well-stocked waters, flows through Cherokee. You can even experience The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians’ story in person and under the stars at a live production of Unto These Hills.
Blue Ridge Parkway
One of the most famous stretches of roadway on the entire East Coast begins (or ends, depending on your direction) in Cherokee, NC. The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Great Smoky Mountains to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. You’ll find many pull-offs and scenic overlooks along the Parkway and the speed limit never exceeds 45 mph.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Cherokee Casino
Are you feeling lucky? Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort might be the perfect place for your next big win. The casino in Cherokee is definitely a big win for the Qualla Boundary and the people who live here. In its short 25-year history, revenue from the casino has funded a new school and hospital, paid for public housing, upgraded EMS services and is a source of basic income for all members of The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.
Are you ready to plan your next adventure? Experience both sides of the Great Smoky Mountains and make memories to last a lifetime!
