Nantahala National Forest
Federal / Recreation.gov
Welcome to the Nantahala National Forest! The Nantahala National Forest lies in the mountain and valleys of southwestern North Carolina. The largest of North Carolina's four National Forests, the Nantahala encompasses 531,148 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet in Cherokee County along Hiwassee River. The Forest is divided into three Districts, Cheoah in Robbinsville, NC, Tusquitee in Murphy, NC, and the Nantahala in Franklin, NC. All district names come from the Cherokee language. "Nantahala" is a Cherokee word meaning "land of the noon d
Location
Research the approach roads and terrain here. When you're ready to drive, open directions in your preferred app below.
Research map · not turn-by-turn nav
35.21017, -83.66139
Get directions
Opens in the app you already use — we don't replace Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze.
Tip: download offline maps before you lose cell service in the woods.
Trip-ready check
Live · National Weather Service · updated 11:50 AMWhat to check the night before you leave — forecast, alerts, and daylight for Andrews, NC.
Today
69°F
Sunny
wind 1 mph
Tonight
43°F
Partly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
wind 0 mph
Tuesday
72°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
wind 1 mph
Tuesday Night
42°F
Partly Cloudy
wind 1 mph
Wednesday
69°F
Partly Sunny
wind 1 mph
Wednesday Night
42°F
Partly Cloudy
wind 1 mph
Forecast: weather.gov point forecast. Conditions change — re-check the morning you leave.
Everything you need to know
- Drive time (set your own plan)
- Not estimated for this listing — map it from your home
- Access
- See details
- Hike-in
- Confirm on site / map
- Pass required
- Check the facility page (day-use fees vary; many federal sites are free)
- Parking
- See facility details
- Camping
- No camping here (facility) — camp nearby
- Max stay
- Check local rules
- Reservation
- None for day use
Share your adventure
Link a YouTube video from your trip so others can see what the land feels like — and so parks can see real people loving their places.
Post YouTube adventure →