Every mountain town has it's own unique drawn. For Bryson City, it's an abundance of outdoor activities. If tubing, kayaking or whitewater rafting sound exciting, you're going to love it here!
With Spring comes the opening of water sport season in Bryson City and it continues through September. There are 2 options for tubing in the area: Deep Creek & the Oconaluftee River.
For years, generations of fun-loving vacationers have been coming back to Deep Creek in Bryson City, NC to experience the thrill of riding an inner tube down the rapids of this mountain stream in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
One of the most popular areas to spend the day tubing is Deep Creek. For only about $7/person, you can enjoy a day of tubing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
From the parking lot at the Deep Creek trailhead, you carry your inner tube upstream about a mile into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Deep Creek trail. The vinyl tubes are light-weight and easy to carry. Now it's time to decide where to put-in. This is going to be based on the type of tubing experience you are looking for.
DEEP CREEK: Whitewater Tubing or Lazy Tubing?
The one-mile stretch of Deep Creek set aside for tubing is divided into two sections:
The upper section of Deep Creek is narrower and offers the most white water. It also provides the most thrilling tubing experience. This is a wild, bouncy ride that can separate the rider from the tube, especially when the water is swift after a rain.
The lower section is wider and a bit calmer. It's perfect for younger kids and less-adventurous adults. As you float down the creek, you'll pass right in front of beautiful Tom Branch Falls. Put-in for this section is at the swimming hole just above the first bridge.
Download the Deep Creek area map here.
Swimming Hole at Deep Creek
Between the two sections you'll find one of the best natural swimming holes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At the end of the rapids section, by the 1st bridge, there’s a wide, deep swimming hole that provides a relaxing break before getting back on the tube.
Raft Rental
With no vendors inside the National Park, all tubes must be carried on your vehicle a short distance to the Deep Creek trail head parking lot. There are several tube rental companies just before the entrance to the national park that will tie the tubes down to the top of your vehicle. From the parking lot at the Deep Creek trailhead, you carry your inner tube upstream about a mile into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Deep Creek trail.
OCONALUFTEE RIVER TUBING
About 15 minutes from Playin' Hooky Cabin is the headquarters for Smoky Mountain tubing on the Oconaluftee River in Cherokee, NC. 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 water ranges from ankle deep to chest high and flows over soft sand and flat, time-smoothed river rocks shed from the world’s oldest mountains.
The Oconaluftee is one of the purest rivers in the mountains where tubers as young as 5 can enjoy a ride that's part rushing rapids & part lazy ripples, complete with swimming holes & a rope swing.
Depending on which tube rental company you choose, there are a couple of route options on the Oconaluftee River. If you tube with Cherokee Rapids (located behind Little Princess Restaurant), you can choose between the Big Cove Route & the "Island" Route. Big Cove Route is the most popular and longest route. This trip is all nature, floating you through numerous swimming holes, fun rapids, a rope swing and more. Take your time, hop off your tube and play, etc. Eventually, you'll float right back to your car where you started. There are changing rooms and restrooms available too.
Cost for this 2-3 hour adventure is $12 per tube. Transportation from the tube shop to the put-in location (and back if necessary) is provided by tube rental companies.
Tips
What to wear/bring:
Water shoes
Bathing suit and/or shorts and a tee shirt
Towel
WaterPROOF case for your phone
Dry change of clothes (Mountain streams & rivers are cool even in the summer.)
If you wear glasses, be sure to secure them with a head strap.
Snacks & drinks for after your tubing adventure
What not to wear/bring:
Hats
Watches
Loose jewelry
Camera's and phones that aren't water PROOF (water resistance is NOT water proof)
Save time by signing waivers in advance.
Request tethers to secure your group's tubes together so you don't get separated.
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