Bryson City … Returning to Normal from Helene

Check out our webcam for 2 views of downtown Bryson City, as well as the Nantahala Gorge.

While Bryson City and Swain County were thankfully spared the devastation seen in towns east of us, things are returning to normal with open shops, restaurants, breweries and lodging. You can still enjoy walking the trails and viewing waterfalls and high mountain vistas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, watching the elk in the fields, experiencing the leaves changing, and riding the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

Lodging reservations are encouraged to ensure availability. If you are staying in a cabin rental, please bring shelf staples, snacks, foods for special dietary needs and drinks if possible. This will lessen the impact on our groceries and other stores that may still be experiencing shortages. Please fill up with gas before you come. Gas is available, however some stations may be limiting the amount so they can serve as many people as possible. Watch a short video: Bryson City – Open for Business

PRESS MENTIONS
Read what journalists report about Bryson City returning to normal. Roll Call • NBC News • CNN

TRAVEL ROUTES
Please note that Bryson City and Swain County are NOT included in the state’s Limited Access / No Travel Area and our county has no restrictions on travel and road access.

US-74 is the main route into Bryson City and is open in both directions. All routes from the Atlanta area are open. US-441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg to Cherokee is open to passenger vehicles and small vans, and NEVER open to large commercial vehicles.

I-40 through Asheville is open. TN-129/NC-28 is also open from Fontana Dam and points West for passenger vehicles and small vans only (as always). From Chattanooga, follow the route to Cleveland and then connect with US-74 toward Murphy NC.  I-26 to I-40 West is the best route from the Greenville/Spartanburg area. Please check road conditions and travel times closely prior to departure.

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open including Kuwohi Road (formerly named Clingmans Dome Road) to the observation tower. In the Bryson City area Deep Creek & the Road to Nowhere (Lakeview Drive) are b0th open.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is currently running its routes again. Please contact them directly with any questions you may have about its schedule or visit their website for more information.

Fall activities are generally on schedule. You can find updated information here on our event calendar as we receive updates. If you have reservations for an activity, contact the location to confirm.

BRYSON CITY BUSINESSES
Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Western North Carolina who has been so traumatically impacted by this storm. If you would like to donate to a fund that the Chamber has created to help our local businesses recover, please visit our GoFundMe page. Thank you for your generosity and for your love of Bryson City!

Bryson City - Swain County
Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 509
Bryson City, NC 28713

Karen Proctor
Executive Director

828-488-3681