The Little Tennessee flows from the Blue Ridge Mountains through the heart of Cherokee country past the Great Smoky Mountains and into Fontana Lake. The river is one of the finest smallmouth bass fisheries in western North Carolina, with beautiful Class I riffle water through forested valleys and historic Cherokee town sites. Below Fontana Dam, it becomes a cold tailwater trout stream.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.