Nantahala Outdoor Center
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Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is a commercial outdoor guide service and retail store located at 13077 Highway 19 West, Bryson City, NC 28713. It opened in 1972 when Payson, Aurelia Kennedy, and Horace Holden Sr. took over the old Tote 'N Tarry Motel. NOC is based in western North Carolina near Bryson City, near the Great Smoky Mountains on the Nantahala River. Nantahala National Forest surround the service. The Appalachian Trail crosses the Nantahala River on a bridge next to the outfitter.[1] The NOC is a Southeastern adventure destination, offering whitewater rafting, ziplining, guided hiking, and mountain biking.
NOC operates whitewater rafting trips on six Southeastern rivers:[2] the Chattahoochee, Chattooga,[3] French Broad, Nantahala, Ocoee, and Pigeon. NOC offers paddling trips down each of these rivers, with the goal of providing enjoyment and getting people outside. NOC offers tubing trips down the Chattahoochee River. To further that enjoyment and protect these areas the NOC works with various organizations for conservation of these rivers and the surrounding land. They work closely with the forest service on several of these rivers to help with conservation efforts, often being the first reporters of something happening in or around the river.
NOC also teaches people to paddle in its canoe and kayak paddling school[4] and also offers mountain bike rentals, ziplining, group programs, ropes courses, kayak touring, and guided hiking at the flagship Bryson City location.[5] NOC offers a variety of outdoor education courses to the public. In addition to their different paddling classes, NOC also offers wilderness medicine and swiftwater rescue courses. The wilderness medicine course offerings include wilderness first aid, wilderness first responder, wilderness EMT, and a course for healthcare professionals. All participants of their wilderness medicine classes can receive certification through SOLO Southeast, leaders in wilderness medicine training.
Lodging and Dining
In addition to outdoor adventure and education, NOC offers various lodging options year-round. The newest addition to NOC's lodging lineup, the Hemlocks Mountain Bungalows, feature in-unit washers and dryers, full kitchens, modern fireplaces, and mountain views. The bungalows are popular with outdoor adventurers and remote workers looking for extended stay lodging. The Trailside Cabins also offer full kitchens and are well suited for larger groups. NOC also offers the Dogwood Motel, a lodge style accommodation option, and Basecamp, a hostel style option popular with budget adventurers and thru-hikers.
The NOC has several dining options on the resort property, including River's End Restaurant, Big Wesser Riverside Pub, and Slow Joe's Donut Bus.
