Oconaluftee Valley, River valley in Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina, US
The Oconaluftee Valley extends across Swain and Jackson Counties, containing a 30-mile river that flows through mountainous terrain toward the Tuckasegee River.
Cherokee settlements developed along the Oconaluftee River banks before European colonization, with several communities maintaining their presence through land purchases in the 1870s.
The name Oconaluftee originates from the Cherokee village Egwanulti, reflecting the deep connection between the river and indigenous communities spanning thousands of years.
The U.S. Geological Survey monitors the river's water quality at Ravensford, collecting data on inorganic compounds, pesticides, and physical parameters since 2019.
The valley encompasses 52.1 square miles of drainage area, serving as home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians within the protected Qualla Boundary.
Location: Swain County
Location: Jackson County
Location: Cherokee
GPS coordinates: 35.51556,-83.30528
Latest update: March 6, 2025 12:13
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
15.2 km
Harrah's Cherokee
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Waterrock Knob
16.2 km
Kituwa
14.8 km
Mingo Falls
3.3 km
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
285 m
Museum of the Cherokee Indian
3.6 km
Swain County Courthouse
16 km
Abel Hyatt House
12 km
Mingus Mill
653 m
Mountain Farm Museum
358 m
John Davis House
305 m
Smokemont Bridge
4.2 km
Rockefeller Memorial
15.2 km
Oconaluftee Ranger Station
228 m
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Retail Store & Train Museum
15.9 km
Oconaluftee Indian Village
3.6 km
Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum
16 km
Oconaluftee Baptist Church
4.2 km
Oconaluftee Archeological District
53 m
Enloe Barn
421 m
Apple House
343 m
Mountainside Theatre
3.5 km
Blacksmith Shop
360 m
Springhouse
339 m
Corn Crib
375 m
Chicken House
341 m
Meathouse
316 mReviews
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