Hidden in the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains, Cataloochee Valley feels like a place where time stands still. Its cabins, churches, and barns tell the story of a once-thriving community that has endured generations and even survived Hurricane Helene. Today, it remains a quiet corner of the park where history, resilience, and stillness meet.

A family getaway to Bryson City, NC filled with fishing on the Nantahala River, hiking through Cataloochee Valley, spotting elk in the Smokies, and relaxing at the Dogwood Branch cabin near Fontana Lake.

We snuck away to Bryson City for a few days in the Smokies, trading the Charleston heat for cool creeks, mountain trails and quiet evenings. We spent our days hiking, fishing and exploring, then ended each one watching elk graze as the sun set behind the ridges. The town had just the right mix of charm and convenience, with ice cream never too far out of reach. It was a quick trip, but full of moments that made it feel a whole lot longer.