Directions

Endless River Adventures-Nantahala Outpost
14157 HWY 19W
Bryson City, NC 28713

Directions to the Nantahala, Ocoee, and Cheoah River Trips

We are based just outside of Bryson City, NC – on the outskirts of the Smoky Mountains National Park, in the Nantahala Gorge. The Nantahala Gorge is considered the epicenter for outdoor recreation. Overlooking the Nantahala River, our location gives us one of the longest paddling seasons in the country on a wide variety of spectacular rivers.​

Driving on curvy mountain roads can take up to twice as long as normal travel time and mileages can be deceptive. Take care using GPS devices or online mapping sites, as they are often not accurate on our mountain roads. We recommend you double check your directions with the following those we provide. If you are a group traveling separately, please make sure all members of the group know where they are going. Lost or running late? Please give us a call so that we can help you.

​Excited about the possibility of offering your family, friends or group something special during their time in western North Carolina? Please either email us at info@endlessriveradventures.com or call us at 828-488-6199 so that one of our helpful staff can help answer all your questions.

Approximate Driving Times from Key Cities

  • Asheville, NC — 1-1/2 hours
  • Knoxville, TN — 2-1/2 hours
  • Atlanta, GA — 3-1/2 hours
  • Charlotte, NC — 4 hours
  • Chattanooga, TN 2-1/2 hours
  • Murphy, NC – 45 minutes
  • Highlands/Cashiers, NC – 1-1/2 hours

Note: Driving times are not relative to distance as you are often traveling on 2-lane roads

Nantahala Outpost Directions

ASHEVILLE - 76 MILES

Take I-40 West to exit 27 which is Hwy 74. Continue on Hwy 74 and go past Bryson City.

Approximately 8 miles after Bryson City Hwy 74 will turn into a two lane highway. Stay on 74 and go approximately 5.6 miles to our shop.

Endless River Adventures is on the left side of the road on top of the hill.

ATLANTA (WEST) - 150 MILES

Approximately 150 miles: Take I-75 N to I-575 N which becomes Route 5. Continue on Route 5 past Blue Ridge and follow the signs to Mineral Bluff.

You will take a left off Route 5 onto Route 60. Once in Mineral Bluff (approximately 2 miles from your turn off of Route 5) take a right on Spur 60.

Continue on Spur 60 into North Carolina until you reach a STOP sign at the junction of Hwy 19/74.

Turn right going towards Murphy and Andrews and continue into the Nantahala Gorge on this road.

We are approximately 7 miles past the Nantahala River put-in on the right on top of the hill.

ATLANTA (EAST) -170 MILES

Take I-85 North to I-985 North going toward Gainesville.

Take 365 North to 441 North. Continue on 441 North through Dillsboro, North Carolina until 441 merges with US 74 West going toward Bryson City.

Approximately 8 miles after Bryson City, Hwy 74 will turn into a two-lane highway. Stay on 74 and go approximately 5.6 miles to our shop.

Endless River Adventures is on the left side of the road on top of the hill.

Approximate Driving Time: 3.25 hours

CHATTANOOGA - 130 MILES

Take I-75 North to the first Cleveland exit, which is US 64 BYPASS East.

Continue on BYPASS 64 to US 64 East, which is the exit for the Ocoee River.

Continue on US 64 East past the Ocoee River into Murphy, North Carolina.

In Murphy, US 64 becomes US 74. Continue on US 74 through Andrews and into the Nantahala Gorge.

We are approximately 7 miles past the Nantahala River put-in on the right at the top of the hill.

Approximate Driving Time: 2.25 hours

GREENSBORO -250 MILES | RALEIGH DURHAM -315 MILES | WINSTON-SALEM - 225 MILES

Take I-40 West past Asheville to exit 27 which is Hwy 74 West. Continue on Hwy 74 and go past Bryson City.

Approximately 8 miles after Bryson City, Hwy 74 will turn into a two lane Hwy.

Stay on 74 and go approximately 5.6 miles to our shop.

Endless River Adventures is on the left side of the road on top of the hill.

HIGHLANDS

Take 64 West toward Franklin for approximately 18 miles. Take the 441 North exit to your right (toward Sylva).

Continue on 441 North through Dillsboro until 441 merges with US 74 West going toward Bryson City.

Approximately 8 miles after Bryson City, Hwy 74 will turn into a two lane highway. Stay on 74 and go approximately 5.6 miles to our shop.

Endless River Adventures is on the left side of the road on top of the hill

Approximate Driving Time: 1-1/2 hours

FRANKLIN, NC - 52 MILES

Take 441 North. Continue on 441 North through Dillsboro until 441 merges with US 74 West going toward Bryson City.

Approximately 8 miles after Bryson City, Hwy 74 will turn into a two lane highway.

Stay on 74 and go approximately 5.6 miles to our shop.

Endless River Adventures is on the left side of the road on top of the hill.

Approximate Driving Time: 45 minutes

GREENVILLE/SPARTANBURG - 140 MILES

Take I-26 West to Asheville to I-40 West.

Continue on I-40 W to exit 27 which is Hwy 74 West.

Continue on Hwy 74 and go past Bryson City.

Approximately 8 miles after Bryson City, Hwy 74 will turn into a two lane highway. Stay on 74 and go approximately 5.6 miles to our shop.

Endless River Adventures is on the left side of the road on top of the hill

KNOXVILLE - FASTEST

For most direct route continue on I-40 to exit 27. For more scenic routes take 441 or US 129.

Take I-40 East into North Carolina and take exit 27, which is Hwy 74 West.

Continue on Hwy 74 and go past Bryson City.

Approximately 8 miles after Bryson City, Hwy 74 will turn into a two lane highway. Stay on Hwy 74 and go approximately 5.6 miles to our shop.

Endless River Adventures is on the left side of the road on top of the hill. ​​

Approximate Driving Time: 2 .5 hours

KNOXVILLE - SCENIC

Via the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge 80 miles):

Take I-40 East to exit 407. Take a right off the exit ramp onto US 441 South. US 441 will take you through Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and eventually Cherokee.

Continue on 441 until you reach Hwy 74 West going towards Bryson City.

Approximately 8 miles after Bryson City, Hwy 74 will turn into a two lane highway. Stay on Hwy 74 and go approximately 5.6 miles to our shop.

Endless River Adventures is on the left side of the road on top of the hill.

Approximate Driving Time: 2 hours plus traffic

Ocoee Outpost Directions

To help keep driving time to a minimum, we provide transportation to the Ocoee from our Nantahala Outpost on all our full-day Ocoee Trips. If it is more convenient for you to come straight to the Ocoee, we are happy to accommodate your arrival directly at the put-in. ​

There are two (2) separate put-ins, one for the Upper Ocoee and one for the Middle Ocoee. Make sure you have the correct put-in.

Middle Ocoee Put-In

ATLANTA

Take I-75 North. Take a slight right at GA-5/I-575 North towards I-575 N and follow this for another 72 miles.

Turn left at GA-5 and continue to follow it for 10 miles.

Turn left onto TN-68 (Ocoee St), entering TN. Continue on this road until you reach the junction with Highway 64/74.

At the junction, head west toward Ducktown. You’ll pass some other rafting companies on both sides of the road. You’ll then pass the Ocoee Whitewater Center on your left, and the riverbed of the Upper Ocoee River.

Watch for where the riverbed turns into a lake. Once you see the lake, take the first left turn into a large parking lot.

There are 2 changing/restrooms to your left in the parking lot, and a circular turn-around. Our white vans and yellow rafts will be parked in the turn-around. You can park in the parking lots on either side of you.

** If you miss the parking lot turn, there will be another one 100 yards further down. If you pass a big dam with water spilling over it, turn around.

CHATTANOOGA

Take I-75 North towards Knoxville, TN. About 22 miles from Chattanooga take the first Cleveland, TN exit (#20) onto US 64 BYPASS E. Drive six miles. Take the Ocoee exit for 64 East towards Ocoee/Murphy.

Eventually, you’ll see the Middle Ocoee section of the river on your right. Just after the big spillover dam, you will pass the Rogers Branch River Access Ocoee #2. You’re almost there.

Pass the turn-off for the dam and take the 2nd right turn into a second, larger parking lot. There are 2 changing/restrooms to your left in the parking lot, and a circular turn-around. Our white vans and yellow rafts will be parked in the turnaround. You can park in the parking lots on either side of you.

** If you miss the parking lot turn, you will get to the Ocoee Olympic Whitewater Center after another mile. Turn around and come on back!

KNOXVILLE

(2 to 2 ½ hours) – Take Highway 321 west from Pigeon Forge to Townsend. In Townsend, continue on Hwy. 321 to Maryville then take Highway 411 south to the junction for Highway 64. Take 64 East towards Ocoee/Murphy. Eventually, you’ll see the Middle Ocoee section of the river on your right.

Just after the big spillover dam, you will pass the Rogers Branch River Access Ocoee #2. You’re almost there.

Pass the turn-off for the dam and take the 2nd right turn into a second, larger parking lot. There are 2 changing/restrooms to your left in the parking lot, and a circular turn-around. Our white vans and yellow rafts will be parked in the turn-around. You can park in the parking lots on either side of you.

** If you miss the parking lot turn, you will get to the Ocoee Olympic Whitewater Center after another mile. Turn around and come on back!

ASHEVILLE

Take 40 West toward Waynesville and Sylva. Merge onto US-74 W, Exit 27 toward Maggie Valley/Franklin/Murphy. Continue heading west on US-74, through the Nantahala Gorge and Murphy and into TN. This is about 48 miles.

US-64 and US-74 merge. Drive into Tennessee on US 64/US-74 West. You’ll pass some other rafting companies on both sides of the road. You’ll then pass the Ocoee Whitewater Center on your left, and the riverbed of the Upper Ocoee River. Watch for where the riverbed turns into a lake.

Once you see the lake, take the first left turn into a large parking lot. There are 2 changing/restrooms to your left in the parking lot, and a circular turn-around. Our white vans and yellow rafts will be parked in the turn-around. You can park in parking lots on either side of you.

** If you miss the parking lot turn, there will be another one 100 yards further down. If you pass a big dam with water spilling over it, turn around

Upper Ocoee Put-In

ATLANTA

Take I-75 North for 20 miles. Take a slight right at GA-5/I-575 North towards I-575 N and follow this for another 72 miles. Turn left at GA-5 and continue to follow it for 10 miles. Turn left onto TN-68(Ocoee St), entering TN. Continue on this road until you reach the junction with Highway 64/74.

At the junction, head west toward Ducktown. You’ll pass some other rafting companies on both sides of the road. Just after those rafting companies, you’ll cross a bridge and then begin a steep uphill.

Over the crest of that hill, and just past the Boyd Gap Overlook, look on your left for the unmarked service road with a yellow gate. This road goes down to the Upper Ocoee put-in. (Look for where the power lines overhead cross the highway; the service road is right there on the left.) Take this service road all the way down the hill.

At the bottom of the hill, there are 2 changing/restrooms to your right. The road hooks left, and there’s a long straight-way with a grassy pull-off along the right side of the road. Park anywhere on the right side of the road, and walk down the road 100 yards to the put-in. Look for our white van and yellow rafts!

**If you see the Ocoee Whitewater Center, you’ve gone too far. Turn around and drive back up that big hill you just came down. Look for the service road on the right.

CHATTANOOGA

Take I-75 North towards Knoxville, TN. About 22 miles from Chattanooga take the first Cleveland, TN exit (#20) onto US 64 BYPASS E. Drive 6 miles.

Take the Ocoee exit for 64 East towards Ocoee/Murphy. Eventually, you’ll see the Middle Ocoee section of the river on your right. Pass the big spillover dam and continue on Highway 64. You’ll see the Upper Ocoee section shortly. Pass the Ocoee Whitewater Center on your right and then go up a steep hill.

Towards the top of this hill, take the service road on the right with an open yellow gate. This is the access road to the Upper Ocoee Put-in, and it’s not well marked. (Look for where the power lines overhead cross the highway; the service road is right there.) Take this service road all the way down the hill.

At the bottom of the hill, there are 2 changing/restrooms to your right. The road hooks left, and there’s a long straightway with a grassy pull-off along the right side of the road. Park anywhere on the right side of the road, and walk down the road 100 yards to the put-in. Look for our white van and yellow rafts!

**If you miss the Upper Ocoee access road, turn around at the overlook on your right called Boyd’s Gap. On your way back, take the second left onto the service road.

GATLINBURG/PIGEON FORGE

Take Highway 321 west from Pigeon Forge to Townsend. In Townsend, continue on Hwy. 321 to Maryville then take Highway 411 south to the junction for Highway 64.

Take 64 East towards Ocoee/Murphy. Eventually, you’ll see the Middle Ocoee section of the river on your right. Pass the big spillover dam and continue on Highway 64. You’ll see the Upper Ocoee section shortly. Pass the Ocoee Whitewater Center on your right and then go up a steep hill.

Towards the top of this hill, take the service road on the right with an open yellow gate. This is the access road to the Upper Ocoee Put-in, and it’s not well marked. (Look for where the power lines overhead cross the highway; the service road is right there.) Take this service road all the way down the hill.

At the bottom of the hill, there are 2 changing/restrooms to your right. The road hooks left, and there’s a long straightway with a grassy pull-off along the right side of the road. Park anywhere on the right side of the road, and walk down the road 100 yards to the put-in. Look for our white van and yellow rafts!

**If you miss the Upper Ocoee access road, turn around at the overlook on your right called Boyd’s Gap. On your way back, take the second left onto the service road.

KNOXVILLE

Take I-40 W headed toward Nashville for about 20 miles. Take I-75 South towards Chattanooga. Take the second Cleveland, TN exit (#25). This will take you through Cleveland.

After five traffic lights, the road turns into a freeway. Take the Ocoee exit for 64 E towards Ocoee/Murphy. Continue on 64 for about 35 miles.

Eventually, you’ll see the Middle Ocoee section of the river on your right. Pass the big spillover dam and continue on Highway 64. You’ll see the Upper Ocoee section shortly. Pass the Ocoee Whitewater Center on your right and then go up a steep hill.

Towards the top of this hill, take the service road on the right with an open yellow gate. This is the access road to the Upper Ocoee Put-in, and it’s not well marked. (Look for where the power lines overhead cross the highway; the service road is right there.) Take this service road all the way down the hill.

At the bottom of the hill, there are 2 changing/restrooms to your right. The road hooks left, and there’s a long straightway with a grassy pull-off along the right side of the road.

Park anywhere on the right side of the road, and walk down the road 100 yards to the put-in. Look for our white van and yellow rafts!

**If you miss the Upper Ocoee access road, turn around at the overlook on your right called Boyd’s Gap. On your way back, take the second left onto the service road.

ASHEVILLE

Take 40 West toward Waynesville and Sylva. Merge onto US-74 W, Exit 27 toward Maggie Valley/Franklin/Murphy. Continue heading west on US-74, through the Nantahala Gorge and Murphy and into TN. This is about 48 miles.

US-64 and US-74 merge. Drive into Tennessee on US 64/US-74 West. You’ll pass some other rafting companies on both sides of the road. Just after those rafting companies, you’ll cross a bridge and then begin a steep uphill.

Over the crest of that hill, and just past the Boyd Gap Overlook, look on your left for the unmarked service road with a yellow gate. This road goes down to the Upper Ocoee put-in. (Look for where the power lines overhead cross the highway; the service road is right there on the left.) Take this service road all the way down the hill.

At the bottom of the hill, there are 2 changing/restrooms to your right. The road hooks left, and there’s a long straightway with a grassy pull-off along the right side of the road. Park anywhere on the right side of the road, and walk down the road 100 yards to the put-in. Look for our white van and yellow rafts!

**If you see the Ocoee Whitewater Center, you’ve gone too far. Turn around and drive back up that big hill you just came down. Look for the service road on the right.

Cheoah Outpost Directions

Just forty minutes from the Nantahala Gorge, even the drive to the Cheoah is beautiful. You can meet us at our Nantahala outpost or if it is more convenient for you to meet us at the river follow the Cheoah put-in directions.

ATLANTA

Take I-75 N to I-575 N which becomes State Hwy 5 which in turn becomes U.S. Hwy 76. Stay with this road until just past Blue Ridge, GA, and then turn left onto Hwy 60 to Mineral Bluff, GA.

In Mineral Bluff, turn right onto Hwy 60 Spur and follow it into North Carolina to US 74 E, turning right toward Murphy and Andrews. Approximately 10 miles east of Andrews, NC, take a left on 129 N to Robbinsville, NC.

Follow 129 N through town and over Lake Santeetlah. Take a left onto Joyce Kilmer Rd (A church is on the right and you’ll see a road sign with a rafting icon on it.)

Continue along Joyce Kilmer Rd for about a 1/2 mile until you get to a one-lane bridge on the right.

Cross that bridge over the Cheoah and continue for another mile or two. Look for a gated parking lot on your left and that’s the put in!

CHATTANOOGA

Take I-75 N toward Cleveland, TN. Take the first Cleveland exit (#20) onto US 64 Bypass East. Go 6 miles; take Ocoee Exit US 64 E towards Ocoee/Murphy, NC. At Murphy, the road number changes to US 74. Stay on US 74 E. Approximately 10 miles east of Andrews, NC; take a left on 129 N to Robbinsville, NC.

Follow 129 N through town and over Lake Santeetlah. Take a left onto Joyce Kilmer Rd (A church is on the right and you’ll see a road sign with a rafting icon on it.)

Continue along Joyce Kilmer Rd for about a 1/2 mile until you get to a one-lane bridge on the right. Cross that bridge over the Cheoah and continue for another mile or two. Look for a gated parking lot on your left and that’s the put in!

GATLINBURG/PIGEON FORGE

Take US 441 South. US 441 will take you through Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and eventually Cherokee. Continue on 441 until you reach Hwy 74 West going towards Bryson City.

Approximately 8 miles west of Bryson City, take a right on 28 N. Go approximately 11½ miles to Hwy 143.

Take a left onto 143 and follow it to Robbinsville, NC. Take a right at the 2nd stop light onto 129 N. Follow 129 N through town and over Lake Santeetlah.

Take a left onto Joyce Kilmer Rd (A church is on the right and you’ll see a road sign with a rafting icon on it.) Continue along Joyce Kilmer Rd for about a 1/2 mile until you get to a one-lane bridge on the right.

Cross that bridge over the Cheoah and continue for another mile or two. Look for a gated parking lot on your left and that’s the put-in!

KNOXVILLE

Take 129 South for 60 miles. This is a very, very curvy road, so drive carefully and allow extra driving time.

You will enter North Carolina at Deal’s Gap. Pass the Cheoah Dam and River.

Approximately 9.5 miles from the Cheoah Dam, turn left onto Joyce Kilmer Rd. (A church is on the left and you’ll see a road sign with a rafting icon on it.)

Continue along Joyce Kilmer Rd for about a 1/2 mile until you get to a one-lane bridge on the right.

Cross that bridge over the Cheoah and continue for another mile or two. Look for a gated parking lot on your left and that’s the put-in!

ASHEVILLE

Take I-40 W toward Knoxville, TN. Take Exit 27 onto US 74 toward Waynesville/Clyde and Bryson City.

Approximately 8 miles west of Bryson City, take a right on 28 N. Go approximately 11½ miles to Hwy 143. Take a left onto 143 and follow it to Robbinsville, NC. Take a right at the 2nd stoplight onto 129 N. Follow 129 N through town and over Lake Santeetlah.

Take a left onto Joyce Kilmer Rd (A church is on the right and you’ll see a road sign with a rafting icon on it.)

Continue along Joyce Kilmer Rd for about 1/2 mile until you get to a one-lane bridge on the right.

Cross that bridge over the Cheoah and continue for another mile or two. Look for a gated parking lot on your left and that’s the put-in!