We're easy to get to and our location is great. It really is the perfect park for everything. Music from https://filmmusic.io. It is relatively flat, but does have a few small hills. 4 hours ago Cherokee Rapids Tube & Kayak Rentals: Tubing Oconaluftee River - See 82 traveler reviews, 16 candid photos, and great deals for Cherokee, NC, at Tripadvisor. Take an easy hike to see Mingo Falls The water park area has picnic facilities available for grilling while enjoying the river. This Cherokee inn has a swimming pool as well as free self parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a patio. We are within walking distance to restaurants, shopping, trout fishing and tubing on the Oconaluftee River. The Oconaluftee River Trail and Mountain Farm Museum are located behind the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, just 2 miles from Cherokee. Tubing Tips. Tubing in North Carolina. River tubing is a very popular form of summer recreation in North Georgia! Matthew and Jordan tied together (10 year old & 8 year old) The Cherokee Lodge Motel in Cherokee, NC is conveniently located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation near Harrah's Casino and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Take a walking tour along the beautiful Oconaluftee River Trail. Mostly the experience is relaxing as you drift down the river but occasionally the river gets sassy! Another popular tubing location is located in Cherokee at Smoky Mountain Tubing. In Cherokee, North Carolina you can tube the Oconaluftee River past rapids and swimming holes. Stop in at the Cherokee visitor center to find out the best spots from which to launch. 3. Old tennis shoes are the best and flip flops are not suitable. Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is within 1 mi (2 km) of Cherokee Fun Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Price: $12 per person. All aboard our bus as we drive you two miles up Big Cove Road for a relaxing, fun-filled float down the Oconaluftee River. Path ends at a few touristy shops in Cherokee. If you want an exciting outdoor adventure try whitewater rafting or tubing in our cool, clear waters. 2,000 feet The Oconaluftee River The Oconaluftee, considered "sacred waters" by the Cherokee, and known as the "Luftee, " is a beautiful, freestone river that drops 2,000 feet over 10 miles. Come relax and cool off on a hot summer day on the gently flowing Oconaluftee River while enjoying the scenic beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Age restrictions: Children must be 4 or older. Outdoor adventure has never been so relaxing. This area is heavily stocked by the Cherokee Fisheries & Wildlife Management with approx. Pets and bicycles are prohibited on all other park trails. There is Mountain Farm Museum within 10 minutes' drive away. Tubing concessionaires will transport you to the river and pick you up at the end. The current is quite swift so if you aren't a solid swimmer, please wear a life vest and be cautious. The Tuckasegee River winds along flowing flat water along cabins overlooking the river on the right under a cool canopy of overhanging trees. Pets and bicycles are prohibited on all other park trails. The trail is relatively flat, but it does have a few small hills. Begins and ends on the Oconaluftee River in Cherokee. Family owned and operated for over 20 years, Huskey Cabin Rentals is conveniently located right on the Oconaluftee River off the 19 South, and just two miles from downtown Cherokee, NC. Oconaluftee Island Park. Easily accessible to downtown, the park offers shady picnic spots, swimming, tubing, trout fishing, and playing in the river. Oconaluftee is an English interpretation of the Cherokee word, Egwanulti, meaning near or beside the river. Tubing - Oconaluftee River SMOKY MOUNTAIN TUBING Cherokee, (828) 497-4545. Age restrictions: Children must be 4 or older. The Oconaluftee River begins as a mountainside spring in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but by the time it reaches the town of Cherokee, it's a broad, pristine playground ripe with trout, swimming holes, and tubing. Start at the Oconaluftee visitor center and walk alongside the river for about 1.5 miles into Cherokee. Very popular area in the Summer months for swimming, trout fishing and tubing in the Oconaluftee River Great trout fishing in the ice cold waters of the Oconaluftee River Great Swimming/Wading for kids and adults The Local Scoop The Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee, NC is a fantastic oasis for kids and adults alike. Overall, I recommend this trip and we all had fun. The French Broad, which flows from North Carolina's Transylvania County, through Asheville, and into Tennessee. Here you'll find one of the purest rivers in the mountains where you can enjoy a tube ride that's part rushing rapids, and part lazy ripples and swimming holes. The Great Smoky Mountains, Fire Mountain Trails and Oconaluftee River Park are just outside our front door with a wealth of outdoor activities, including trout fishing, hiking and river tubing. It's an easy walk, and the only area trail where dogs and bicycles are allowed. Oconaluftee River, Western North Carolina At the North Carolina entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies the Oconaluftee River or "Luftee" for short. Put sunscreen on before you leave. This section of the Oconaluftee River is an acceptional opportunity for anglers of all ages to catch NC mountain trout or just play in the ice cold waters. They will take us up river to put in at across from the Cherokee School . Details. From the start of the trailhead, wander along the banks of our pristine river, enjoying natural quiet spots and informative trail markers, before arriving at the Mountain Farm Museum, a collection of some of the oldest cabins and log buildings in all of Cherokee. Check the Calendar of Events for all the great festivals and other events in the area. The trail is 1.5 miles one way and ends at the park boundary with the Cherokee Reservation. 1,692 were here. Tubing Oconaluftee River Review of Cherokee Rapids Tube . It flows through downtown Cherokee and Qualla Boundary, the homeland of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, before joining the Little Tennessee on the way to La The trail travels 1.5 miles one-way from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to the outskirts of the city of Cherokee, NC. - Book great deals at Ol'Smoky Log Cabin on the River Unit 4 with Expedia.com - Check guest reviews, photos & cheap rates for Ol'Smoky Log Cabin on the River Unit 4 in Cherokee Total trip is 3 miles. The park was established in 1934, and, with over 9 million visits per year, it is the most-visited national park in the United States. It is relatively flat but does have a few small hills. Ol Smoky Log Cabins is located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, which is adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park;the most visited National Park in America. Guyout, the 2nd highest mountain in Great Smoky Mountain National Park (Mt. Flat, shady and many places to stop by the water. This river also provides a great place for rafting, tubing, and even swimming. WHAT TO WEAR-Shoes: Securely fitted shoes are required to help avoid foot injury. Tubers notice the warmer waters of the higher Tuckasegee River as it drops into the Oconaluftee. Rumble First time tubers! Daily Updates 500,000 fish annually. This is a little more of a drive but there is deeper water and some bigger rapids than Townsend. There is also a small island where the rivers merge where we walk and fish among the boulders. River Rafting & Tubing in North Carolina Mountains Offer www.tripadvisor.com . This hotel is a 10-minute walk from Chairlift cable car. We offer tubing service and rentals on the Oconaluftee River in Cherokee. FINGER LAKE DAY USE AREA NC-28, Bryson City. The Oconaluftee River in Cherokee, NC was very clean and had beautiful scenery. Memorial Day to Labor Day. One tubing route takes you just under the southern end of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway. Hotel at a glance. The beds were fine, water pressure in the shower was great, and the kitchen was ok for cooking for two or three. Bring; hat (if you like), sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, rope, water shoes or sandals, snacks. Please see some basic information before arriving to your trip. Considered a "family" river, you can also take a raft ride on the Tuckaseigee River. Price: $12 per person. The Oconaluftee River Trail is one of two walking paths on which visitors can walk dogs and bicycle. The friendly people of Banff share their home not only with visitors from all over the world - but with the local wildlife. Cherokee Rapids offers direct access to the river at its Little Princess location. Get out and play along your route. The Oconaluftee, considered "sacred waters" by the Cherokee, and known as the "Luftee, " is a beautiful, freestone river that drops 2,000 feet over 10 miles. There is one section that has the largest rapids and it can be quite scary. Tubing On The Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains. Our cabin was rustic; but clean and comfortable. Deep Creek is just outside of Bryson City, N.C., while the Oconaluftee flows through Cherokee. River Romp is a great family tubing option as their route is milder, wider river with 7 swimming holes. Our Little Princess location is the only one with direct access to the Oconaluftee River. The trail travels 1.5 miles one-way from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to the outskirts of the city of Cherokee, NC. Just over ten minutes away from the village of Lake George, Tubby Tubes Company is a spot you may remember us talking about this past winter. While many stretches of the river are used for tubing, swimming, and other outdoor activitie s, there is an opportunity for whitewater rafting and kayaking. There are places in it that require paying attention to make sure you get through the mini-rapids successfully . 8 days in Cherokee BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Zipline River Rafting & Tubing Oconaluftee Islands Park 7 days in Cherokee BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Museum of the Cherokee Indian Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual Horseback Riding Tours 5 days in Cherokee BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Oconaluftee Islands Park Casino at Harrah's Cherokee Museum of the Cherokee Indian 2 days in Cherokee BY A USER . The fish that are stocked are as follows: Brook, Brown, Golden & Rainbow Trout. Take a 2 mile- 2-hour tube trip through the Cherokee Nation with Cherokee Rapids. Tig Two Published December 11, 2020 147 Views. Share.