A Smoky Mountain Summer Escape: Bryson City, NC
For our July 4th vacation week, this year we loaded up the truck and headed north out of Charleston just after I wrapped up a little work on Monday morning. With the AC running and snacks packed, we made our way into the mountains for a midweek getaway to Bryson City, NC — a quiet pocket of Western North Carolina nestled right outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This time, we stayed in a cozy Airbnb tucked just a few minutes outside of town. It was the perfect size for our family of four — thoughtfully designed with a smart layout that made a small footprint feel surprisingly spacious. The boys stayed in the bedroom with a queen bed and loft, and that top bunk instantly became their hideout. The big wraparound porch was another favorite — a safe place for them to run around and play during the day while we relaxed and soaked in the cooler mountain air.
Hiking & Fishing Along Deep Creek
One of our main goals for the trip was to hike, fish and just be outside. We spent one morning on Deep Creek Trail, one of our go-to loops inside the park. It winds along a beautiful stream that usually offers a peaceful escape — though in the heat of summer, you’re sharing it with a wave of tubers and visitors. The extra foot traffic does take away from the usual serenity, and it made fishing a little trickier without hiking several miles in.
That said, I did manage to hook up with a big brown trout just below Deep Creek Falls. It was one of those heartbreaker moments — strong fish, clean take — but it snapped off right at my knot. A tough reminder that I’ve got some rust to shake off and need a few more reps on the water to get my groove back.
A Visit to Oconaluftee
Another day took us west to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. If you’re visiting with kids, it’s a must-stop. Right next to the center is the Mountain Farm Museum, a collection of historic log buildings that date back to the 1800s — cabins, barns, springhouses and even a working blacksmith shop. There’s also a small collection of heritage livestock the boys enjoyed checking out, like chickens, pigs and a pair of slow-moving oxen.
Afterward, we walked the Oconaluftee River Trail — a flat, shaded path that follows the river for about a mile and a half. We brought the rods along and gave it another try. No trout this time, but we kept catching Bigmouth Chubs — one of the few fish native to the Appalachian region. Not what we were targeting, but still fun to see the boys get excited about a catch.
Climbing to Kuwohi
We couldn’t make a mountain trip without heading to the highest peak in the park — the summit formerly known as Clingmans Dome, officially renamed Kuwohi in late 2024. Kuwohi, meaning “mulberry place” in Cherokee, honors the cultural history of the region and the original stewards of this land.
Waylon snapped a photo on my Fuji x100f – it’s always nice seeing what his perspective is of his surroundings.
At 6,643 feet, Kuwohi is the highest point along the Appalachian Trail. It’s just a half-mile hike from the parking lot, but with steep elevation and thinner air, it’s definitely a calf and leg workout — especially with little kids in tow. We drove about an hour from the cabin, but then spent another hour circling for parking. Midday in July wasn’t ideal, but that’s what happens when you try to squeeze in mountain memories with a young family on a holiday week. Just make sure before you park anywhere in the national park, you’ve got a valid day, week or annual parking pass clearly displayed on your dash — they do check, and tickets aren’t cheap.
The last time I was up there, I was with my best friend Caleb. We had the place nearly to ourselves — no crowds, just the quiet hum of wind over the ridgelines. Caleb even snapped one of my favorite photos of that old trip: me setting up the back of the Xterra to crash for the night. This time around, it looked a little different. These days it’s about adjusting the pace, managing expectations and enjoying the beauty through your kids’ eyes instead of your own timeline.
On the way back down the mountain, just as we were starting to make our way home, we spotted a black bear off the side of Highway 441. It was one of those rare, quiet moments where everything lines up — light filtering through the trees, the bear unbothered, and just enough time to grab a few great shots before it disappeared back into the woods. Definitely one of the cooler surprises of the trip.
Elk & Ice Cream
Evenings in Bryson are some of the best. The town itself is small but charming, with plenty of shops and places to walk around. We tend to grab ice cream most nights — it’s not a firm tradition, but a fun treat we rarely skip.
What has become tradition for us is heading over to the fields near Oconaluftee to watch the elk. There’s a large herd in the area, and dusk is prime time to see them out grazing. It’s easily one of Madi and the kids’ favorite parts of the trip. We’ll sit quietly in the grass, watching as the herd moves through the field with the mountains glowing behind them. Madi always brings her camera to try her hand at wildlife photos, while I usually end up just taking pictures of her doing her thing.
A Little Work While Away
While this was mostly a quick family trip, I also took a little time to capture some fresh property photography for Angie, the Airbnb owner. She recently added a beautiful new wooden shiplap ceiling inside the home, and I was able to document that update along with a few refreshed exterior shots to help her better showcase the space online. The home really is a gem — smart, stylish and perfect for short weekend trips like ours.
We also took the opportunity to create some content for our friends at Cliq Products. Their new MystiQ Hybrid Chair came along for the ride — from riverside fishing to elk watching at sunset. These chairs are perfect for the kind of spontaneous adventures we enjoy — lightweight, durable, weather-resistant and easy to clean. Whether you’re perched on a boulder in the river or setting up on a gravel pull-off to glass the fields, they’ve become a staple in our outdoor kit.
Wrapping It Up
Even though it was a short, busy trip and the park was full of other families enjoying the summer break, we had a great time. Bryson City makes for a great basecamp — close to Cherokee, Gatlinburg and, most importantly, the national park itself. It’s easy to fill your days with hikes, fishing, drives and simple time outdoors. But just as important is having a place to come back to — somewhere quiet, cozy and well-thought-out.
The Airbnb we stayed in checked every box. The space was clean, modern and just the right size for a quick mountain getaway. Angie was fantastic — super responsive and helpful throughout the stay. Everything went smoothly from the moment we booked. We’d highly recommend her place to any small family looking for a comfortable, hip and cool cabin close to town for a relaxing weekend escape.
