One Day in Cherokee, North Carolina

Did you know that Great Smoky Mountains National Park borders Cherokee tribal lands? Well, it does, and this beautiful area is where you can hike to waterfalls and spot elk in the Smokies. This land has been home to the Eastern Cherokee for 8000 bc. The Cherokee maintained harmony and balance in every aspect of their lives. Particularly with respect to the natural world. And it’s no wonder considering how insanely gorgeous this part of North Carolina is. What should you do with One Day In Cherokee, NC?

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The Basics: Cherokee, NC

Where Is Cherokee, NC?:

Cherokee, NC is right next to the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The most scenic way to get to Cherokee, NC is by taking New Found Gap Road! Trust me, you don’t want to miss those views!

Visiting Cherokee With Dogs –

Since Great Smoky Mountains isn’t exactly the most dog friendly National Park, it’s an added bonus that Cherokee gives you so many more options in terms of hiking with dogs.

Check Out: Is Great Smoky Mountains National Park Dog Friendly?, The Best Dog Friendly Hikes In The Smokies

What To Pack For The Pups

• Rabies Vaccine Record
• Leashes
• Harnesses
• Hammock Seat Cover
• Food & Water Bowls
• Food & Extra Water 
• Care Products – I always bring Benadryl, Famotidine, Nose & Paw Ointment 
• Dog First Aid Kit 
• Poop Bags (and please use them) And THIS handy little thing
• Treats
• Towels (esp if you have messy dogs like mine)
• Backpack 
• Collapsible Water Bowl

Need A Packing Checklist For Your Next Adventure With Your Pups?

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One Day In Cherokee, North Carolina

Take In A Sunrise On Newfound Gap Road –

Newfound Gap Road connects the Tennessee side of the park with the North Carolina side of the park. If you are up for an early wake up, it will probably be around a 5 am alarm, but sunrise here is beautiful! Completely worth the early wake up in my opinion.

Drive Newfound Gap Road At Any Time Of Day –

In case you aren’t a morning person, no day trip to Cherokee is complete without a drive on Newfound Gap Road and I have to say, it is absolutely gorgeous! It’s a can’t miss scenic drive with incredible views around every corner. The road is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina and features some pretty freakin’ spectacular views.

There are plenty of pull-offs to get out and take some photos. Also, remember you will most likely be driving back to Tennessee on this same route so if you miss a pull off you can stop on your way back. 

Bonus: Sunsets are also gorgeous on this road! So, if you get up early enough or stay out late enough you get the bonus of taking in those amazing golden skies.

For Another Beautiful Drive Check Out: Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail

Grab A Coffee At Qualla Java –

• 938 Tsalagi Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719
• Mon-Fri: 7 am – 5 pm, Sat: 8 am – 5 pm, Sun: 8 am – 4 pm
• Find Out More Here

For some great coffee, amazing service, and fair prices check out Qualla Java! The black snake, white ninja, and butter beer are all amazing but don’t skip the pastries either!

Fly Fishing In Tribal Waters –

You may not know that Cherokee is renowned for fly fishing. That’s right, those crystal clear tribal waters are brimming with brookies, browns, and rainbow trout. You can buy a permit here.

However, after arriving I found out that you also need a North Carolina fishing license to fish these waters. Make sure you get both before going OR head to River Edge Outfitters. 

You can fly fish directly behind the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Onconaluftee River. The same licensing applies to fish here.

Hike To An Awesome Waterfall Hike –

The trailhead for the falls is clearly marked and has ample parking. Mingo Falls is a .4 mile hike that is basically 161-ish stairs and a very short climb to the actual falls. It’s also a dog friendly trail.

Mingo Falls

• Distance: .3 miles
• Rating: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 98 ft

Known as Big Bear Falls in Cherokee language, the people who live close by on the Qualla Boundary recognize the falls as one of the most beautiful places to visit within the tribal lands.

Mingo Falls is approximately 120 feet tall and cascades down nearly 200 feet making it one of the tallest falls in the southern Appalachians. While the hike up is only .4 miles it is moderate in difficulty. 

Loki was incredibly excited while hiking up all of the stairs and kept letting out excited little yips. There were no other dogs on the trail while Loki and I were there and so both the boys got a ton of attention. The falls themselves are gorgeous and completely worth the very short climb. 

Mingo Falls is a fun little hike and theses falls offer a lot of bang for your buck. You only have to climb .4 miles to see a beautiful waterfall and that doesn’t happen very often. 

Check Out: 11 Can’t Miss Waterfalls In The Smokies

Learn More About The Eastern Cherokee –

Oconaluftee Indian Village

• 218 Drama Road, Cherokee, NC
• Mon-Sat: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Open May 4 – Oct 30
• (828) 497-2111
• Buy Tickets Here

If you are at all interested in the history check out the Oconaluftee Indian Village. It is here that the 18th-century Cherokee lifestyle is unspoiled and retold via live demonstrations. During summer months at the outdoor Mountainside Theatre, the drama “Unto These Hills” tells the tribal story of the Cherokee.

Grab Lunch Or An Early Dinner At The Sassy Sunflowers Bakery & Cafe –

• 655 Acquoni Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719
• Mon-Fri: 9 am – 4 pm, Closed Weekends
• Find More Here

This cute place has wonderful food and is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Cherokee. They put a unique spin on your everyday sandwiches, soups, and salads. And, of course, add a pinch of sassy for good measure.

Do A Little Shopping –

You’ve gotta do a little shopping while in Cherokee. These are some of my favorite charming shops…

Native American Craft Shop

• 1847 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719
• Daily 10 am – 6 pm
• Find Out More Here

Qualla Arts And Crafts

• 645 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719
• Daily 8 am – 4:30 pm
• Find Out More Here

Twisted Sisters

• 798 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719
• Daily 10 am – 6 pm
• Find Out More Here

Cherokee Rose

• 720 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719
• Sun-Thurs: 9 am – 7 pm, Fri: 9 am – 8 pm, Sat: 9 am – 9 pm
• Find Out More Here

Hike The Oconaluftee River Trail –

Oconaluftee River Trail

• Distance: 3.1 miles
• Rating: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 52 ft
• Dog Friendly

Oconaluftee River Trail actually starts at the Visitor Center. Dogs are permitted on the trail but not inside the Mountain Farm Museum and exhibits. This gives you and the pups plenty of space to stretch your legs and to take in the beautiful river.

Check Out The Oconaluftee Visitor Center –

• 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719
• Daily 9 am – 5 pm
• Find Out More Here

The Visitor Center is home to the Mountain Farm Museum. Where you can step back into history inside the unique museum. Walk through a farmstead of structures carefully preserved from the last century. These include a log farmhouse, a barn and apple house, a springhouse, and a working blacksmith shop.

Find The Elk Herd That Calls Cherokee Home –

I kept an eye out for the elk my entire day in Cherokee and just when I was ready to call it a day…

As luck would have it, just as I was getting close to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center I noticed a line of cars pulled along the road. As I was driving and had no idea what was going on. I thought, “maybe the visitor center is just that full?”

As I rounded the bend, there they were, an entire herd of beautiful elk just hanging out by the visitor center. It turns out that they frequent this spot pretty often! So, if you can’t find them anywhere else, at least check the Oconaluftee Visitor Center before giving up, Oh, and it was during rut again, so I got to hear those amazing bugles. 

After a nearly 200-year absence, in early 2001 elk were reintroduced to this area of the Great Smoky Mountains. The purpose of the reintroduction was to see if the elk could sustain themselves in this region after such a long absence. Seventeen years later the park is now home to between 140-160 elk.

Elk Safety –

• Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces elk, is illegal in the park. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest.

• Do not enter fields to view elk—remain by the roadside and use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals.

• Remember these are wild animals that need to be treated as such.

• Be particularly careful in Spring/Early Summer when calves are present. Females will charge to defend yourself.

• Be careful in fall during rut because males can perceive approaching humans as challengers to their domain.

Even More Elk Safety –

• Never EVER touch or move an elk calf. Though they may appear to be orphaned, chances are their mother is nearby. Cows frequently leave their newborn calves while they go off to feed.

• The use of spotlights, elk bugles, and other wildlife calls are illegal in the national park. It is also illegal to remove elk antlers or other elk parts from the park.

• Never feed elk or other wildlife or bait them in for closer observation. Feeding park wildlife is strictly forbidden by law and almost always leads to the animal’s demise. It also increases danger to other park visitors.

• Every year park animals must be destroyed because of mistakes humans make.

These are not tame animals! It’s not ok! Don’t do it!

I will say, the Rangers did an amazing job of keeping people away from the elk and vice versa. They set up roadblocks and held traffic for elk crossing the road to the field. To find out more check here.

Wildlife Viewing Gear

Binoculars (budget)

Binoculars (splurge)

Spotting Scope (budget)

Spotting Scope (splurge)

Camera (budget)

Camera (splurge)

Telephoto Lens (budget)

A Little History –

The Cherokee were members of the Iroquoian language group and descended from the native peoples who occupied the southern Appalachian Mountains beginning in 8000 b.c. 

They grew and harvested corn, beans, and squash—the Cherokee “three sisters”— these had a deep spiritual significance. Other jobs within the tribe including hunting, care and cleaning homes, and gathering essential foods. The Cherokee also enjoyed games, dancing, and religious ceremonies. 

Politically Integrated

 The Cherokee were one of the few politically integrated tribes at the time of European colonization. Meaning the governing of Cherokee towns was through a democracy. As well as, the traditional leadership of priests, war chiefs, and peace chiefs.

To find out more about the Eastern Cherokee Tribe check out my Cherokee Nation: History Nugget

There is something special about Cherokee, North Carolina. If you are visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you absolutely need to spend at least one day in Cherokee, it’s a CAN’T MISS! Have you been to Cherokee, North Carolina? What was your favorite part?

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