Fall Foliage

We are eagerly awaiting the mountains of Western NC’s impressive display the dramatic scenery of fiery sugar maples, buttery poplars and crimson oaks. The cool crisp air of fall is perfect in one of our Open Air Gondolas or one of our First Class Cars. The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad always strives to provide you with the best seat in the house with an exciting roundtrip ride!

Look ahead and BOOK AHEAD for this year and plan to take in ALL the colors of autumn canvas masterpiece in 2022! Our popular general excursions will be operating daily!

Our Premier Fall Foliage Excursion: Nantahala Gorge

This 4 ½ hour roundtrip westbound excursion carries you 44 miles to the Nantahala Gorge and back again. Travel the Little Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers across Fontana Lake and into the magic of the Nantahala Gorge. Onboard dining is available by selecting First Class Seating or by pre-purchasing one of our boxed lunch options, a unique moving dining experience! There is a one hour layover in the heart of the Nantahala Gorge, perfect for sightseeing by the river and just plain relaxing. A fantastic passenger train full of fall photo opportunities!

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Our Mountain Town Fall Excursion: Tuckasegee River

The mountain countryside comes to life with new color on your way to small-town USA in western North Carolina. Departing from Bryson City, this 4-hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back again. Experience a ride through the famous man made Cowee Tunnel. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford! The trip includes an hour-and-a-half layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find unique shops, tasty restaurants, and plenty of space for relaxing. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

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Sunset Tuckasegee River Excursion

Enjoy a beautiful North Carolina sunset and brilliant fall colors as you travel by rail through the quiet countryside and along the Tuckasegee River to the quaint Town of Dillsboro. You’ll even get a chance to pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford!

The journey is 32 miles round trip for a full 3-hour train ride. Please note, there is no layover on Sunset trains. Be sure to bring a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings after the sun goes down. These 4:45pm departures are available on select weekend dates during October.

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