Little Tennessee River

The Little Tennessee River, often called the “Little T,” is a scenic 135-mile river originating in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia, flowing through western North Carolina along the southern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and eventually joining Fontana Lake before reaching the Tennessee River in Tennessee. It is a premier destination for outdoor recreation, renowned for its excellent trout fishing in the cold mountain waters and family-friendly whitewater activities. Visitors enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and rafting on Class I to III rapids, tubing in gentler sections, swimming, and fly fishing. The river is complemented by beautiful greenways for hiking and biking, as well as nearby trails for hiking, mountain biking, and exploring the surrounding national forests.