Nantahala National Forest - North Carolina

Visit the largest of the four national forests in North Carolina, with elevations as high as 5,800 feet. Enjoy cascading waterfalls and wild water rivers surrounded by oaks, hemlocks, chestnuts, and poplars.

Meaning "land of the midday sun", the shining Nantahala National Forest is definitely worthy of its Indian name. Nantahala National Forest is home to the Appalachian summit of Lone Bald, the highest point in the forest at 5800 feet, along with towering hardwood forests and foaming wild water rivers. Visitors will love the panoramic views from Whiteside Mountain as well as the vistas visible from the 2-mile loop trail to the top of the Whiteside cliffs. In the springtime, don't miss the Wayah Bald Area, where the azaleas and laurels bloom along with the 400 year old trees in the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. The Wayah Bald Area is the perfect place for the whole family can enjoy miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding. Water lovers can indulge at Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. And should you want to spend the night, Nantahala National Forest offers full-featured primitive and group campgrounds.