Nantahala Gorge Excursion
Take a train ride along side the beautiful Nantahala River on our Nantahala Gorge Excursion! Departing from Bryson City, this 4½ hour roundtrip excursion carries you 44 miles to the Nantahala Gorge and back again arriving at our Bryson City Depot.
Ride this excursion via Steam or Diesel locomotive power!
- About This Trip
- Itinerary
- Classes of Service and Pricing
- Class Comparison
- How to Purchase
- Where To Go
- Schedule
About This Trip
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains while traveling along the Tennessee and Nantahala (nan-tuh-HAY-luh) River.The historic trellis bridge Fontana Trestle takes you across Fontana Lake and into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Onboard dining is available by selecting our First Class Seating option or pre-purchasing one of our boxed lunches, an amazing unique moving dining experience. Arrive at our layover destination in the heart of the Nantahala Gorge for a one-hour layover where you can relax by the river or enjoy sightseeing!
New for 2020 -Winter Gorge Excursion!
Our passenger excursions will continue this route extending in to November and NOW December! The Nantahala Gorge Winter Train Trips will allow you to experience the winter season set in the Smoky Mountains and to add more excitment to your journey we've added a small dash of a Smoky Mountain Christmas! Our cars will be cozy and festive as you ride down the winter rails and a VERY Special Guest
will be onboard to share in the holiday spirit! Smoky Mountain Santa will be visiting each car telling tales of Western North Carolina Christmas's from days gone by. Passengers will receive traditional Christmas sweets of oranges and peppermint sticks and the history behind it all! This new option will give you and your family the quality time we all crave during this season.
We are operating under all current COVID-19 safety guidelines and ask that you follow all protocols. Find the information HERE! *Please be aware due to COVID-19 dining options at your layover destination, the Nantahala Outdoor Center, is restricted to 50% capacity. This means your wait time will not allow for you to be served during the layover. You are advised to enjoy onboard dining by pre-purchasing a box lunch meal option along with your train tickets.*
Itinerary
| 30m before departure | Boarding begins at Bryson City Depot |
| See schedule for departure time | Depart Bryson City, NC |
| 1h 45m | Reach top of the line |
| 2h 00m | Begin return |
| 2h 30m—3h 30m | *Layover at Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) |
| 3h 30m | Depart Layover |
| 4h 30m | Arrive at Bryson City Depot |
| Time from Departure | Activity |
|---|
*During the month of December Nantahala Gorge Winter Trains, all layovers will be 30mins. Given the nature of railroading, durations are approximate and subject to change without notice.
Classes of Service
Adult First Class
| Diesel | $99.00 ($102.00 October) | Not Permitted |
| Steam | $113.00 ($117.00 October) | Not Permitted |
| Locomotive | Adult (21+ Only) | Under 21 |
|---|
First Class with dining features assigned seating at a dining table in a climate controlled car with large picture windows, and are served a boxed meal by the car's attendant. Each couple receives a souvenir tote bag, and everyone receives a souvenir travel mug with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day.
Limited bar service available.
Premium Open Air Gondola
| Diesel | $83.00 ($87.00 October) | Not Permitted |
| Steam | $95.00 ($99.00 October) | Not Permitted |
| Locomotive | Adult (21+ Only) | Under 21 |
|---|
Premium Open Air Gondola with dining features assigned seating in a car with unobstructed views, half-height walls, and a roof above to protect passengers from the elements. Adults (21+) are served a boxed lunch by the car's attendant. Each couple receives a souvenir tote bag (1 per couple). Everyone receives a souvenir travel mug with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day. When we reach the end of the line, we will invite all guests in this class to switch sides with their neighbors so that everyone will have the opportunity to take pictures from a new perspective on the opposite side of the train.
Add an official Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Sweatshirt Blanket to your reservation for just $29.99! At 54" x 84" it's the perfect size for two to keep warm during our cool mornings.
Limited bar service available.
Family First Class NOT AVAILABLE
| Diesel | $99.00 | $57.00 | $20.00 |
| Steam | $113.00 | $64.00 | $22.00 |
| Locomotive | Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
|---|
Family First Class features assigned seating at a dining table in a climate controlled car with large picture windows. Adults (13+) and children (2-12) are served a boxed lunch by the car's attendant. Each adult couple receives souvenir tote bags. Everyone aged 2 years old on up receives a souvenir travel mug with free refills of pop, coffee, and iced tea all day. And, children can have lunch with the conductor! This special addition allows for one of our conductors to accompany and interact with fans of all ages for the entire trip!
Limited bar service available.
Crown Class
| Diesel | $72.00 ($76.00 October) | $42.00 ($42.00 October) | $10.00 |
| Steam | $85.00 ($89.00 October) | $45.00($45 October) | $12.00 |
| Locomotive | Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
|---|
Crown Class features assigned seating in a climate controlled car with large picture windows. Everyone over the age of 2 years old receives a souvenir tumbler with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day! When we reach the end of the line, we will invite all guests in this class to switch sides with their neighbors so that everyone will have the opportunity to take pictures from a new perspective on the opposite side of the train.
Preorder your boxed lunch to enjoy onboard dining!
Beer and wine available.
Coach Class
| Diesel | $56.00 ($59.00 October) | $32.00 ($32 October) | Complimentary |
| Steam | $65.00 ($67.00 October) | $40.00 ($40 October) | Complimentary |
| Locomotive | Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
|---|
Coach Class features open seating in an enclosed car, windows that can be opened for fresh air and taking photos, and are heated and have ceiling fans. When we reach the end of the line, we will invite all guests in this class to switch sides with their neighbors so that everyone will have the opportunity to take pictures from a new perspective on the opposite side of the train.
Preorder your boxed lunch to enjoy onboard dining!
Open Air Gondola
| Diesel | $56.00 ($59.00 October) | $32.00 ($32.00 October) | Complimentary |
| Steam | $65.00 ($67.00 October) | $40.00 ($40 October) | Complimentary |
| Locomotive | Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
|---|
Open Air Gondolas feature open seating in a car with unobstructed views, half-height walls, and a roof above to protect passengers from the elements. When we reach the end of the line, we will invite all guests in this class to switch sides with their neighbors so that everyone will have the opportunity to take pictures from a new perspective on the opposite side of the train.
Add an official Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Sweatshirt Blanket to your reservation for just $29.99! At 54" x 84" it's the perfect size for two to keep warm during our cool mornings.
Preorder your boxed lunch to enjoy onboard dining!
Class Comparison
| Amenity | First Class | Family First Class | Crown Class | Coach Class | Open Air Gondola |
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| Assigned Seating | |
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| Souvenir Travel Mug | |
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| Large Picture Windows | |
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| Ideal for Photography | |
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How to Purchase
You can purchase your tickets online or call our reservations department at (800) 872-4681. No matter how you purchase tickets, they’ll be waiting at will call.
Or, you can purchase your tickets the day of in the Bryson City Depot.
See Classes of Service for the various class descriptions and pricing.
Where to Go
All departures are from the Bryson City Depot in Bryson City, NC.
Entrance to the parking lot is located at:
45 Mitchell Street
Bryson City, NC 28713
Plan on being here by 1 hour before your departure.
Schedule
Other excursions and/or events are available.
*This schedule is subject to change at any time*
September 2020
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 NG | 2 NG | 3 NS | 4 NS | 5 | ||
6 NG | 7 NS | 8 NG | 9 NG | 10 NG | 11 NS | 12 1:00 pm CH |
13 CH | 14 NG | 15 NG | 16 NG | 17 NG | 18 NG | 19 NG |
20 | 21 NG | 22 NG | 23 NG | 24 NG | 25 NG | 26 NGNG |
27 NGNG | 28 NG | 29 NG | 30 NG |
October 2020
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 NG | 2 NG | 3 NS | ||||
4 NS | 5 NG | 6 NG | 7 NG | 8 NG | 9 NSNS | 10 NSNS |
11 NSNS | 12 NGNG | 13 NSNS | 14 NSNS | 15 NSNS | 16 NSNS | 17 NSNS |
18 NSNS | 19 NGNG | 20 NSNS | 21 NSNS | 22 NSNS | 23 NSNS | 24 NSNS |
25 NSNS | 26 NGNG | 27 NSNS | 28 NSNS | 29 NSNS | 30 NSNS | 31 NSNS |
November 2020
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 CH | 2 No Trains | 3 No Trains | 4 NG | 5 NG | 6 NG | 7 NG |
8
| 9 No Trains | 10 No Trains | 11 NG | 12 NG | 13 | 14 NG |
15 | 16 | 17 | 18 NG | 19 NG | 20 NS | 21 NS |
22 NS | 23 NS | 24 NS | 25 NS | 26 No Trains | 27 NS | 28 NS |
29 | 30 |
December 2020
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
| 2
| 3 10:00am NGWS | 4 10:00am NGWS | 5 | ||
6 | 7 | 8 | 9
| 10
| 11
| 12 |
13 | 14
| 15
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
20 | 21
| 22 | 23
| 24
| 25 No Trains | 26 10:00am NGWS |
27 10:00am NGWS | 28 10:00am NGWS | 29 10:00am NGWS | 30 10:00am NGWS | 31 10:00am NGWS |
Ticket fares subject to 7% Historic Preservation Fee. Schedules, fares, motive power, equipment, seat selection, and meals are subject to change without notice. We guarantee the class of service you select. You will be notified if a change in schedule or motive power affects your reservation. Payment in full at booking by major credit card is required to finalize a reservation. You may cancel your reservation in full or in part and receive a refund less a $14.00 fee per adult ticket and $6.00 fee per child ticket as late as 48 hours before departure. Within 48 hours of the departure the reservation becomes nonrefundable. You may reschedule any time prior to your originally scheduled departure with a $7.00 fee per ticket for another date within the same calendar year. You may not reschedule a reservation after the scheduled departure.
You agree that GSMR General Excursions and Events for which you purchased tickets and/or attended is a public event, that your appearance and actions inside and outside the venue where the Excursion/Event occurs are public in nature, and that you have no expectation of privacy with regard to your actions or conduct at the Event. You hereby irrevocably grant permission to the host railroad, licensor, sponsor(s) and/or their assigns to use, copy, display, distribute, exhibit and utilize your name, image, digital image, likeness, acts, poses, voice, appearance, movements and statements in any live or recorded audio, video or photographic display or other transmission, exhibition, publication or reproduction of same, including at the Excursion/ Event (regardless of whether before, during or after the Excursion/ Event) for any purpose, in any manner, in any medium or context now known or hereafter developed without further authorization from or any compensation to you or anyone acting or entitled to act on your Behalf.
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