Open every day except Christmas Day. Oconaluftee Visitor Center So sad, Our last stop was the Oconaluftee River Trail. Oconaluftee Visitor Center The original visitor center at Oconaluftee was built in 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as a ranger station and magistrate 's courtroom . A half-mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center is Mingus Mill. And you can tell. Begin your exploration of the park at a visitor center. Please bring your own masks and hand sanitizer. You can hear the male elk bugle at the beginning of the video. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s first new visitor service facility to be constructed since the early 1960s. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s first new visitor service facility to be constructed since the early 1960s. If you have the time visit the Farm Museum and walk the River Trail. Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Hours, Address, Oconaluftee Visitor Center Reviews: 4.5/5 I recommend both. Cades Cove Visitor Center Hours. You might spot some elk in the fields at the visitor center. **Please note that all participants will be required to wear a mask for orientation and any instances where close contact cannot be avoided. Open April to November, 10 a.m. to as late as 6:30 p.m. in summer (hours vary seasonally). Please enter your username or email address. The Great Smoky Mountains are awesome! The three visitor centers are open daily and the operating hours are as follows: Sugarlands Visitor Center (near Gatlinburg, TN) January – February – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We were within 50 feet . *Please be advised-Due to COVID19 Hours may Vary. Watch the elk in the large meadow beside the visitor center on many mornings and evenings (right after sunrise or 1-2 hours before sunset). Exhibits Water-powered grist mill. Exterior The 7,000 square foot center is just inside the park at the Cherokee, North Carolina entrance. A museum recounts the history of life in the Smokies from native Americans and early European settlement time periods through the creation of the National Park. We had an elk encounter on the trail - we gave him his space and enjoyed watching him from afar. Nice setup of the homestead, interesting and informative. Super helpful NPS Rangers and had plenty of parking. Pick up park info and browse the gift shop at this smaller center located near the top of Clingmans Dome. Opening Hours. The easy, 1.5 mile (one-way) Oconaluftee River Trail begins near the rear of the visitor center. I am so thankful that we came to this Visitor Center. more, Recommended experiences in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here is a brief minute and a half long video showing the elk at Oconaluftee with a little bit of information about the herd from the wildlife biologist for the Smoky Mountains National Park. As part of a trip to tour the Blue Ridge Parkway for the third week of October's peak Fall foliage color nature show, a visit to Oconaluftee Visitor and Mountain Farm Museum is more than appropriate. The northern end of the easy, mostly level 1.5-mile Oconaluftee River Trail lies here; along it you can mosey south to the outskirts of Cherokee through some handsome riparian forests. Located on US 441 two miles north of Cherokee at the Park entrance, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center is the Park’s main welcome and information center for the North Carolina side. OPERATING HOURS. Name Oconaluftee Visitors Center Address 1194 US-441 South Cherokee, North Carolina, 28719 Phone 828-497-1904 Hours Open Daily 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Sugarlands Visitor Center. See the Smokemont Region web page for directions. 15 reviews of Oconaluftee Visitor Center "This visitor center is only about 5 years old. The facility includes a visitor orientation and information center, cultural history exhibits, store, fully accessible restrooms, and an after hours orientation and backcountry permit kiosk. 4.0 Facilities. The buildings are polished and real sleek. Two other popular Park attractions are nearby —, Bryson City - Swain CountyChamber of Commerce 210 Main StreetP.O. Situated outside the historic Mountain Farm Museum, the visitor center serves as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with all its natural beauty, outdoor attractions, and amenities. Details. Four visitor centers are located within the national park at Cades Cove, Oconaluftee, Sugarlands and … The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is located in the Smokemont Region of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This hike is considered moderately adventurous as we gain elevation, climb over downed trees and get our feet wet. made sure people stayed at a safe distance. Smoky Mountain Visitor Center Hours. We heard the mature elk buck calling for the does to cross the river. The fully-accessible restroom building and orientation kiosk are open 24 hours a day. You will also be asked to sign an acknowledgement of risks and report any illness within 14 days of tour. I can see why this is the number one visited Park in America! Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Lucky to be there when the elk were wandering and grazing and "bugle-ing" What a show! The Visitor Center, also known as a Visitor Information Center, offers information on local lodging, Cherokee tours, and local history. from the road side i was with in 50 ft of one. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. No exhibits, no benches but yes u can spend your money. Oconaluftee Visitor Center & Museum. Situated outside the historic Mountain Farm Museum, the visitor center serves as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with all its natural beauty, outdoor attractions, and amenities. Miller’s hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily mid-March through mid-November. Hours vary by season. Please choose a different date. Operating Hours for Visitor Centers. **
With 3100 miles of streams in the Smokies, there are thousands of beautiful stretches of white water. Oconaluftee is located, just two miles from Cherokee, NC on US-441 and is also open year round. In summer there are daily programs for Junior Rangers, historic tours, night hikes, river rambles, guided waterfall hikes, wagon rides, storytelling and more. Also the farm museum was nice to see...memories of how my great-grandparents lived in the hills of West Virgini, Wow! 1 to 2 hours Time to Spend. Built in 1886, this historic grist mill uses a water-powered turbine instead of a water wheel to power all of the machinery in the building. The indoor parts of the museum are closed but you can still see an impressive giant map. Very new and very nice. Oconaluftee North Carolina Visitors Center, located in Cherokee, NC, provides information on Swain County area attractions, sights, accommodations for guests and travelers. Physical Address 1194 Newfound Gap Highway Cherokee NC 28719 865.436.7318 Ext 327 Elk can be seen almost any time of the year, grazing in the fields around the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and the Mountain Farm Museum. It is your source for park information if you arrive from the Cherokee, North Carolina, area. Bathrooms were clean and not crowded. Price & Hours. Nice visitor center, clean restrooms, nice trail, disappointed the museum is closed but understand due to covid. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. The center is open daily, 8 AM until 6 PM. Mon: 8am-4:30pm; Tue: 8am-4:30pm; Wed: 8am-4:30pm; Thu: 8am-4:30pm; Fri: 8am-4:30pm; Sat: 8am-4:30pm; Sun: 8am-4:30pm; Payment. The Witch Tour: Appalachian Mountains Ghost... 6-Day Charleston+North Carolina+Tennessee... Thundering Streams and Falls of the Smokies. 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Do you want to know the entry ticket price for Oconaluftee Visitor Center? Hours: 9:00-5:00 Location Inside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road. Opening & closing timings, parking options, restaurants nearby or what to see on your visit to Oconaluftee Visitor Center? Here you can pick up a park map or newspaper, have your questions answered by a ranger, and purchase books and guides to the park. Mid-late afternoons are the best times. Adventure awaits as you explore the magic of pristine cascades and waterfalls on a little known trail. Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: See 1,054 reviews, articles, and 635 photos of Oconaluftee Visitor Center, ranked No.15 on Tripadvisor among 102 attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Also in the visitor center, you’ll find maps, merchandise and helpful publications in the Great Smoky Mountains Association’s bookstore and shop. Have been here many times but very disappointed this time. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. In the winter, we'll enjoy beautiful glimpses of the surrounding mountains, during the spring we'll pause to enjoy our famous wildflower display, summer brings refreshing swimming holes and in autumn the beauty of changing leaves. Elk may visit the grassy areas throughout the day so steer clear if elk are in the nearby pasture. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is another one of the popular Smoky Mountain visitor centers and is where a lot of visitors begin their trip to the national park. January: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Click Now to check the details! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to 4 visitor centers: Cades Cove, Oconaluftee, Sugarlands and Clingmans Dome. Oconalufee Visitor Center. Cash Free, Tours Type. 5.0 Value. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is open every day except for Christmas. Opens daily at 9am. The smaller bucks ran away. Open Year Round (Closed Christmas Day) Hours of Operation (subject to change) January through July: 9 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park Categories, Things to do near Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Commonly searched for in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You might spot some elk nearby — grazing in the fields next to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, or in the lowland fields along US 441 in the National Park, or in the Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center just north of park visitor center. Oconaluftee Visitor Center. They seem to think that people can shop in their gift shop shoulder to shoulder but cannot go into the exhibit areas since they are closed off due to covid. Winter viewing is unpredictable. It is stroller-accessible, bike and pet-friendly and follows the river to Cherokee, N.C. Oconaluftee Visitor Center The National Park has some great educational and fun programs, from spring through fall. Us-441, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 28719-8249. Read more about seeing the elk. View Address, Phone Number, and Hours for Oconaluftee Visitors Center, a Visitors Center, at US-441 South, Cherokee NC. Learn more about elk viewing in the Smokies on our ‘Elk Watching‘ page. Best viewing is in the early morning and late afternoon, summer thru fall. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is located on the south side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina. Nice setup of the homestead, interesting and informative. scorecard. Free 2020 Travel Guide to the Smokies — Includes the Official 2020 All Aboard for the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Elk frequent this area. Box 509Bryson City, NC 28713. The river trail was a nice flat walk. so the elk alone make this a 5 star stop. Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC is a wonderful place because around 4 to 5pm every night of the year a small herd of elk come out to graze in their open field. The welcome center is a popular stop for tourists who are entering the park from Cherokee on US 441. The park rangers. Free. The Oconaluftee River corridor deeper in the park hosts an array of trailheads, but you’ve also got a fine hiking opportunity right here at the visitor center. Elk can be seen almost any time of the year, grazing in the fields around the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and the Mountain Farm Museum. You'll get great service at the counter and inside the shop. The visitor center … Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Hours, Address, Oconaluftee Visitor Center Reviews: 4.5/5 Also, open Thanksgiving weekend. the last time i was there 30 plus elk should up to graze. even at 50ft away from one of these male elk is plenty close to these big boys. Open daily except Christmas. Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Hours, Address, Oconaluftee Visitor Center Reviews: 4.5/5 They're glad to tell you all about the surrounding sights, hikes, waterfalls, and more. Some are part of the Junior Ranger program, but many are for the whole family. Visit CommonAccess compliant version of this website. This is one place I would love to return. You can talk to park rangers, pick up a park map, use the restroom, grab a drink, or explore the many exhibits in the informative museum! Adjacent to the visitor center, Mountain Farm Museum contains a farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, applehouse, corn cribs and other buildings. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is the first new visitor service facility to be constructed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park since the early 1960’s and is the first structure in North Carolina to be constructed explicitly as a full-service visitor center. We'll warm up on a more popular trail, pausing to enjoy smaller cascades before turning onto a less traveled section of the Park. Good static displays and the 3d map of the park. Mingus Mill near Oconaluftee Open daily April 1 through October, and on weekends (Friday-Sunday) in November Hours: 9:00-5:00 Location Located at its original site, Mingus Mill stands as a tribute to the test of time. The center is staffed daily (except Christmas) by knowledgeable, helpful park rangers and volunteers. Restrooms are in a separate building and are easily accessible 24 hours a day. Best viewing is in the … Easy to find off Road 441, this visitor center is located right at the Southern entry to Smoky Mountain National Park. The does walked in a line to the river and walked across.It was an amazing experience. Of parking are easily accessible 24 hours a day since the early morning and late afternoon summer. 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