Nantahala Gorge Excursion
Take a ride along side the beautiful Nantahala River on our Nantahala Gorge Excursion! Departing from Bryson City, this 4½ hour 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. Arrive at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) for a one-hour layover where you can relax by the river or enjoy sightseeing! The Nantahala Gorge Excursion operates March through October.
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 |
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Given the nature of railroading, durations are approximate and subject to change without notice.
Classes of Service
First Class
| Diesel | $96.00 ($97.00 October) | Not Permitted |
| Steam | $109.00 ($111.00 October) | Not Permitted |
| Locomotive | Adult (21+ Only) | Under 21 |
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First Class features assigned seating at a dining table in a climate controlled car with large picture windows, and are served brunch on 9 AM departures or lunch on all other departures 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 | $76.00 ($80.00 October) | Not Permitted |
| Steam | $89.00 ($94.00 October) | Not Permitted |
| Locomotive | Adult (21+ Only) | Under 21 |
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Available May through October, Premium Open Air Gondola 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 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
| Diesel | $96.00 | $55.00 | $20.00 |
| Steam | $109.00 | $62.00 | $22.00 |
| Locomotive | Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
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Only available May 11, 2018 through Labor Day, September 3, 2018, 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 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 | $67.00 ($69.00 October) | $38.00 | $10.00 |
| Steam | $80.00 ($84.00 October) | $43.00 | $12.00 |
| Locomotive | Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
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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.
Beer and wine available.
Coach Class
| Diesel | $51.00 ($55.00 October) | $29.00 ($31.00 October) | Complimentary |
| Steam | $58.00 ($62.00 October) | $34.00 | Complimentary |
| Locomotive | Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
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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.
Open Air Gondola
| Diesel | $51.00 ($55.00 October) | $29.00 ($31.00 October) | Complimentary |
| Steam | $58.00 ($62.00 October) | $34.00 | 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.
Class Comparison
| Amenity | First Class | Premium Open Air Gondola | Family First Class | Crown Class | Coach Class | Open Air Gondola |
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| Restrooms Available | |
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| Heat | |
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| Assigned Seating | |
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| Souvenir Travel Mug | |
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| Large Picture Windows | |
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| Souvenir Tote Bag | |
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| Windows Open/Close | |
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| Ideal for Photography | |
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| Outward Facing Seats | |
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| Padded Seats | |
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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.
Ticket prices start at $51 for Adults (13 years old and up), $29 for Children (2-12 years) and complimentary for Infants (23 months and under). 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
Check back at the end of January for our upcoming season!
Other excursions and/or events are available. Check out our complete train schedule to see all our options.
Ticket fares subject to 7% Historic Preservation Fee and 6.75% North Carolina sales tax. 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 $7.00 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 $6.00 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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