ENTERING FROM THE EAST: From Ashville, travel West on I-40 to the Great Smoky Mts Natl Park exit. After taking this exit, choose Hwy 23/74 toward Waynesville and Sylva. DO NOT take Hwy 19 as it would add a lot of slow mountain driving. At Sylva, remain on Hwy 74 (Great Smoky Mt. Expressway). You will pass Cherokee and Bryson City but do not exit into these towns. Continue West on (Hwy 74) and out of Bryson City about 10 miles, prepare to bear left as the highway narrows to a two lane road. Soon you will come to a congested area of Rafting companies. When you see a river on your right with a narrow bridge that passes over it, you will be at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (Store-Restaurant). Continue traveling west (we are one mile from the store). On the right, pass Big Nantahala campground, and Nantahala Rafts. On the left pass a Peanut-Apple Cider stand. Slow down....the next rafting company ("Paddle Inn") has parking on the right and then on the left is their store and some additional parking. We are directly across the street from the "Paddle Inn" store. Turn right into what looks like a private drive. A Deeper Life Adventures 4x8' sign marks the driveway (14620 Hwy 19 West)
ENTERING FROM THE WEST: Coming from the Southwest stay in the center or left lane through Chattanooga. Leaving Chattanooga, travel North on I-75
toward Knoxville. Take the first Cleveland Exit #20 to Cherokee Natl.
Forest. A sign says (64 Bypass East-Cleveland). Go toward Ducktown &
Murphry. Stay on the (East 64/74) Bypass until you see OCOEE East 64
Exit. Continue East on (Hwy 19) through Murphy, and Andrews, NC. After
the Highway narrows to two lanes, you go thorough Topton. You will pass
a Park Forest sign indicating rafting "Put In" park on your right. We
are 6.2 more miles. You will soon pass Rocky Waters Campground on the
right and another park on the left. We are 3.4 more miles. After this the
river is on your left. When you come to a "Slow to 35 MPH" sign: immediately
put on your left blinker for around the corner is a Bar-b-que stand and
Fast Rivers Rafting on the left. Turn before the Fast Rivers sign and
drive behind the store straight to an open wooden gate. We are at the
end of the driveway. If you miss the turn behind Fast Rivers, the next
rafting place is "Paddle Inn" on the right. We are directly across the
street from them. Turn into the private drive on the left. A Deeper Life
Adventures 4x8'sign marks our driveway (14620 Hwy 19 West).
Click Here for a graphical map of the area.
Weather: Smoky Mts June July August
Normal Daily Maximum: 82 84 84
Normal Daily Minimum: 56 60 59
Nights in the gorge can be cooler; even down to 40. Bring warm clothes
for the evenings and shorts for the days. An extra pair of shoes
for those who choose to go rafting is a must as they will get wet.
LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU-ALL VISIT US!
DEMPSEY & ARDIS THOMAS
