# Nantahala National Forest

**Location:** Franklin, NC | **Difficulty:** Hard | **Length:** 80+ miles

**GPS:** 35.1823, -83.3895

**Vehicle requirements:** 4WD with low range and rear locker, 33"+ mud-terrain tires, 2–3" lift, rock sliders, and recovery gear required.

**Best season:** April - November

The largest national forest in North Carolina with technical mountain trails, misty waterfalls, and deep gorges. 'Nantahala' means 'land of the noonday sun', only the gorge bottoms see direct sunlight at midday.

**Region:** Southeast • **Trail type:** Trail • **Rating:** 4.6/5

**Highlights:** Deepest gorges, Misty waterfalls, Technical trails, Remote wilderness, Cherokee heritage

**Nearby campgrounds:**
- [Deep Creek Campground (Bryson City, North Carolina)](https://4x4playground.com/camping/north-carolina/deep-creek-campground)
- [Whitewater Falls Campground (Sapphire, North Carolina)](https://4x4playground.com/camping/north-carolina/whitewater-falls-campground)
- [Whitewater Falls Camp (Cashiers, North Carolina)](https://4x4playground.com/camping/north-carolina/whitewater-falls-camp)
- [Smokemont Campground (Cherokee, North Carolina)](https://4x4playground.com/camping/north-carolina/smokemont-campground)
- [Smokemont Group Campground (Gatlinburg, Tennessee)](https://4x4playground.com/camping/tennessee/smokemont-group-campground)

Canonical page: https://4x4playground.com/overlanding/trails/nantahala-forest