Oconaluftee Visitor Center
The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is more than just a place to stop, take a break and get more park brochures. It is a very beautiful locations with a mix of modern facilities and life from the past in the middle of gorgeous mountains. The Park service has a new, green, 6300-square-foot visitor center and 1700-square-foot restroom facility. Inside the visitor center you will find a museum, gift shop, various displays and Forest Service personnel ready to answer your questions.
Out back is the Mountain Farm Museum. The buildings date back to around 1900. There is an old furnished log home, barn, molasses mill, garden and other buildings. Running beside the farm is a beautiful river. There is also a trail that is pet and bike friendly as well.
This may seem like a tame area but you are deeper in the forest and mountains. You must respect the wildlife. Depending on season and hour you may see elk, bear and other animals. The Park Service doesn’t mind if you take pictures but give the animals a very wide berth.
Going south on the Blue Ridge Parkway you will tee into Hwy. 441. Take a right and in .7 miles the visitor center will be on the right. During peak season expect traffic to be heavy. To see wildlife come during not peak seasons.
For more information check out their website: Oconaluftee Visitor Center