Thanks for reading this.We are going from the East Coast of NC to the West of NC for about a week soon, specifically Cherokee NC and thereabouts.I like to kayak fish and usually take my kayak and spinning outfits when going to Fl. etc.. I no longer fly fish... Just trying to remember from our last trip to the area if there is any reason to haul my kayak with us. I know there are rivers there and fishing, as I did that from shore last trip before I got a kayak. Best I remember rivers there are not good for kayaking / fishing from a kayak. Comments?Suggestions on places to fish?Things to do we should not miss?thanks in advance

riven1950 wrote:Thanks for reading this.We are going from the East Coast of NC to the West of NC for about a week soon, specifically Cherokee NC and thereabouts.I like to kayak fish and usually take my kayak and spinning outfits when going to Fl. etc.. I no longer fly fish... Just trying to remember from our last trip to the area if there is any reason to haul my kayak with us. I know there are rivers there and fishing, as I did that from shore last trip before I got a kayak. Best I remember rivers there are not good for kayaking / fishing from a kayak. Comments?Suggestions on places to fish?Things to do we should not miss?thanks in advanceYou have Lake Fontana near by, the rivers and creeks in the Smoky's are more for rubber rafting but Lake Fontana is beautiful and clear and full of fish!!

I sure see alot of tube floating around the Little River that goes through Smoky Mtns especially around ELKMONT CAMP...I know KAYAKing in the rivers in WVA into VA and NC are popular...Never done KAYAKing before so it must have something to do with either not much stream flow or maybe too much ????Seems like the Maggie Valley run all the to Cherokee along US19 had alot of trucks with KAYAKS in their beds... Have made the run between Maggie Valley down into GEORGIA areas and have seen KAYAKS in the Nantahala River coming out of Fortuna LAKE I guess that the NC 28 road follows through the high country there...I would think Fishing in an around the Natl Forest there would be really good...I am more into the OFF-ROAD camping through this area. Love it...Roy Ken

Cheoah River out of Robbinsville has kayakers but they have areas of Class V. Calderwood Lake just below the Cheoah dam has kayaking and canoeing. Beautiful and calm.You can put in at Rymer's Ferry or Cable Cove for Fontana Lake. There's also RV camping at Fontana Village: the area has water and electric and is booked through the Village.http://www.fontanavillage.com/the-campground/Nantahala Lake is also a gooder. http://www.westernncattractions.com/nantahala-lake/

Check out Fontana Lake. it is a very large lake. If you are around Asheville, the French Broad River has many sections that are good for easy kayak paddling. We did a 70 mile section in our canoe jack L

We live northwest of Cherokee in Eastern TN and there are many places to kayak. TVA has dammed many of the rivers creating beautiful lakes. Northern GA has some beautiful lakes too. I would recommend bringing your kayak.

take my kayak to Cherokee / Maggie Valley NC ? | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

FloridaReLoaded
Explorer
Jun 20, 2017
Not my pic but its recent. Rainbow trout in Cheoah lake. Graham County NC
FloridaReLoaded
Explorer
Jun 20, 2017
riven1950 wrote:
FloridaReLoaded, nice picture. Hope it is not like that in a few days when I get there LOL

Ha, I don't think you have anything to worry about.
riven1950
Explorer
Jun 19, 2017
FloridaReLoaded, nice picture. Hope it is not like that in a few days when I get there LOL
FloridaReLoaded
Explorer
Jun 19, 2017
Here is what the Skyway looks like in the Winter. No I don't pull a TT or RV on it, we stay in our cabin in the Winter.
FloridaReLoaded
Explorer
Jun 19, 2017
huachuca wrote:
Another vote for flatwater kayaking and fishing on Lake Santeelah.

We enjoy driving the Cherohala Skyway between Robbnsvile and Tellico TN. On the Tennessee end, take the drive to Bald River Falls and, if you like putting around on Forest Service roads, it's a nice drive through Cherokee NF back to FS81 in Nantahala NF outside Robbinsville.

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest if you like to hike. Nantahala Outdoor Center had some great rafting trips from mild to wild. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad out of Bryson City is pretty neat. Cade's Cove s worth a visit if you've never been. Same for Clingmans Dome.

Great area - hope you have fun.

Yes the Skyway is beautiful especially around October and in the winter. They pretty much leave it open in the winter and it's winter wonderland up there.

The Cheoah Dam is also known as the "Fugitive Dam" it was where that part of the movie was filmed.

It is beautiful up there plus Lake Fontana Dam is the tallest dam east of the Mississippi. It played a huge part in WWII. At the Fontana Marina you can take a evening boat cruise for something like 15 or 20 bucks a person. They give a description of how that part of the country played a big part in the war.

AS far as the Tail of the Dragon goes it is as the previous poster described, best known for motorcycles. You can go to Cades Cove on the Tennessee side and go down Parson Branch road (If its not wash out again) and come out on the dragon Hwy 129. Parsons Branch road has a sign suggesting that you need a four wheel drive but Ive done it many time in a two wheel PU. If you do ever make it over there the Historic Tapoco Lodge is a must do. Its now open to the public once again and is something to see. You can have a pizza or hamburger out on their deck and watch the river or the rafters if its Cheoah River release day you can watch rafters going down a class IV rapids right in front of you Release dates
huachuca
Explorer
Jun 19, 2017
Another vote for flatwater kayaking and fishing on Lake Santeelah.

We enjoy driving the Cherohala Skyway between Robbnsvile and Tellico TN. On the Tennessee end, take the drive to Bald River Falls and, if you like putting around on Forest Service roads, it's a nice drive through Cherokee NF back to FS81 in Nantahala NF outside Robbinsville.

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest if you like to hike. Nantahala Outdoor Center had some great rafting trips from mild to wild. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad out of Bryson City is pretty neat. Cade's Cove s worth a visit if you've never been. Same for Clingmans Dome.

Great area - hope you have fun.
Fredetteb
Explorer
Jun 18, 2017
riven1950 wrote:
Thanks for all the info folks!!

FloridaReLoaded, Got to ask, what is the Dragon?

Tail of the Dragon is the name given to a section of US 129 between North Carolina and Tennessee. It is known as one of the curviest roads in the US with 318 curves in one 11 mile stretch. Very popular among motorcycle riders and sports car enthusiasts.

http://tailofthedragon.com

Not for the fait of heart and DEFINITELY not RV friendly.
riven1950
Explorer
Jun 18, 2017
sorry, double post
riven1950
Explorer
Jun 18, 2017
Thanks for all the info folks!!

FloridaReLoaded, Got to ask, what is the Dragon?
FloridaReLoaded
Explorer
Jun 18, 2017
magnusfide wrote:
Cheoah River out of Robbinsville has kayakers but they have areas of Class V.

Calderwood Lake just below the Cheoah dam has kayaking and canoeing. Beautiful and calm.

You can put in at Rymer's Ferry or Cable Cove for Fontana Lake. There's also RV camping at Fontana Village: the area has water and electric and is booked through the Village.
http://www.fontanavillage.com/the-campground/

Nantahala Lake is also a gooder. http://www.westernncattractions.com/nantahala-lake/

We love Lake Santeetlah in Robbinsville, the others you have to fight the motorcycles this time of year. Not worth it to me. Too close to the Dragon.