Things To Do

dillsboro_rv_river_park_15
Nearby Adventures

Scenic, Cultural & Family-Friendly Fun Close to Camp

At Dillsboro RV River Park, you’re never far from your next adventure. From mountain overlooks to historic towns and kid-friendly attractions, everything you need for a memorable getaway is just a short drive away. Stay by the river—and explore Western North Carolina with ease.

Things to do that are...

1 hour or under drive time

Whether you’re stopping by for a couple of days or settling in for a full week, our standard rates give you full access to all park amenities and a peaceful riverside escape.

Things to do that are...

a 1 -2 hour drive time

cades-cove-map-MTJP2
Cade's Cove
0c4711d9-2044-479d-9e23-243849bf119c-KNS_summer_smokies_BP_23
Kuwohi
(formerly Clingman's Dome)
Ober-Mountain-Aerial-Tram-copy-scaled
Gatlinburg
xr:d:DAFmYY74hYw:914,j:478903557828624810,t:23071015
Pigeon Forge
The_Bucket_Shot_Sunsphere_SB_ahfuwy
Knoxville

During holidays and local events, our premium rate ensures your site is secure—perfect for celebrating with family and friends without the hassle.

Local Flavor & Craft Culture

Western NC's Best Breweries —Just Minutes Away

Innovation Brewing

Sylva and Dillsboro, NC

Creative beers and a riverside location make this a favorite for locals and visitors alike.

Balsam Falls Brewing Co.

Sylva, NC

A small-batch brewery with bold flavors and a cozy downtown vibe.

Nantahala Brewing Co.

Bryson, NC

Mountain-crafted beers, live music, and easy access to Great Smoky Mountains adventures.

Lazy Hiker Brewing Co.

Sylva, NC

Kick back with Appalachian-inspired brews and good company—perfect after a day of hiking or exploring.

Enjoy the laid-back vibes of the mountains with a cold craft beer in hand. These local breweries offer a unique taste of the region—each with its own charm, community spirit, and rotating taps.

Things to do that are...

1 hour or under drive time

Whether you’re stopping by for a couple of days or settling in for a full week, our standard rates give you full access to all park amenities and a peaceful riverside escape.

Concerts-on-the-Creek-scaled_9e06537c-bb22-4598-88a5-9ba148a448e7
Concerts on the Creek

Some of the world’s finest musicians have come from Western North Carolina and that rich tradition carries on today. Bridge Park gazebo in Sylva every Friday from 7-9 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the concert and food truck vendors.

MCBRIDE-042616-NOC-0633-min-e1642011782482
Rafting & Watersports

Swimming, sailing, water skiing, boating, tubing, whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing are all available in Jackson County. There are four whitewater rivers, the Tuckasegee, Chattooga, Oconaluftee and the nearby Nantahala, with difficulty ranging from Class I to Class VI. Commercial companies rent rafts, canoes, kayaks and tubes. Canoes and boat rentals are available on Lake Glenville, near Cashiers. 

Golf_Balsam_Mountain_Preserve_1417daa8-b747-452b-9b38-443cf387497d
Golf in The NC Great Smoky Mountains of Jackson County

Jackson County offers a superb selection of classic mountain golf courses that are both challenging and scenic. A daily fee and semi-private layouts host thousands of golfers each year. From Cashiers’ world-renowned resorts and courses in the south to the picturesque Sequoyah National Golf Club in the county’s north end, the area is replete with one-of-a-kind mountain golf in a variety of awe-inspiring settings.

Mountain-Farm-Museum
Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus Mill

The Mountain Farm Museum is a unique collection of farm buildings in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park assembled from locations throughout the park. Visitors can explore a log farmhouse, barn, apple house, springhouse, and a working blacksmith shop to get a sense of how families may have lived 100 years ago. 

161
Trout Fishing

It also features the state’s longest contiguous stretch of N.C. Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. Jackson County is the home of the state record for the largest rainbow trout ever caught.  Jackson county has 31 public access points for fishing; supports fishing classes for children, is home to the nation’s largest river cleanup day in the country; and plays host to its own chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Screenshot 2025-08-04 at 3.07.10 PM
Fly Fishing the Smokies

Fly Shop and Guide Service Bryson City NC, (828)-421-6378 6-time winner of Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine’s Best of the Blue Ridge, Fly Fishing Guide Service, and best Fly Shop and Outfitter. It also features the state’s longest contiguous stretch of N.C. Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. Jackson County is the home of the state record for the largest rainbow trout ever caught, with 31 public access points for fishing.

download_6__fa798af1-50b6-4dd9-9ffc-1baf7b04e3f5
Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian Mountain culture, Great Smoky Mountain National Park is America's most visited national park. 

sylva-parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the heart of the Appalachian Highlands, linking the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Known as ‘America’s Favorite Drive,’ the Parkway offers sweeping mountain vistas, vibrant wildflowers, and a living showcase of Southern Appalachian culture.

2857642543_3fefbb58-2c22-4935-990c-8ff319169da3
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Their scenic rail excursions take you from their historic depot in Bryson City, through the beautiful countryside of Western North Carolina. The variety of train options and special event trains make them perfect for making memories! Dine in their First Class Cars with private attendants and breathtaking views or take it all in while riding in an Open-Air Gondola! Step on board for your next rail adventure!

F6ZQEL66TCEPKNTBFFIGFI2GWU
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino

Slots and live card action, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort invites you to join in on the fun and excitement of the casino, wide diversity of restaurants, concerts, spas and more!

259866166_1766920763513963_4296229911361751464_n
Oconaluftee Indian Village

The faint smell of wood smoke wafts by as you are led by a Cherokee cultural expert will show you the way through winding paths, flanked with traditional Cherokee dwellings, work areas, and sacred ritual sites. Delight in cultural dances and interact with villagers as they hull canoes, sculpt pottery and other daily activities from the 1760. 

AWMQuilts2
Appalachian Women’s Museum

For many women, life in the Southern Appalachians was hard with raising children on very little means, caring for families and making a living in an isolated part of America. No matter the circumstances, these women faced whatever came their way with determination, grit and grace.

CNCT22_VCN_Saxum_Exhibits_1920x1080
Museum of the Cherokee Indian

Experience the 11,000-year-old Cherokee Indian story vividly.  Inspired by the beauty and ingenuity of the Cherokee people, this is a cultural and historical tour one fused with interactive video, intriguing displays, and a full sensory experience. Discover the Cherokee people’s spirit of inventiveness, resilience, and will to survive. 

c25b31394ded2e874ac970517befd058_XL
Fire Mountain Trails

The network of trails is more than 10.5 miles total, so there’s plenty of room for everyone to recreate safely and responsibly. The trails interlace through the nearby Great Smoky Mountains, so you already know the views and terrain will take your breath away.