The Wandering Disciple

A bridge spanning the Oconaluftee Islands Park is your gateway to a recreational oasis with fun for the entire family. From taking a walk along the river, tubing in the cool water or doing a little trout fishing, Oconaluftee Islands Park is a great place to spend a summer day in Cherokee. Begining in the Beech Prong Flats in the Smoky Mountains, the Oconaluftee River flows south some thirty miles before reaching the Tuckasegee River near Bryson City. (Photo: June 6, 2020)

The tranquil waters of the Oconaluftee River pass under a foot bridge at Oconaluftee Island Park in Cherokee, North Carolina. The river begins near Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains and is one of the largest rivers found within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The Oconaluftee River Valley is home to the Cherokee Indian Reservation and is the North Carolina entrance into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. (Photo: June 6, 2016)