The 56,000-acre Qualla Boundary Reservation, which serves as the Eastern gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is home to more than 13,000 members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Unique among many North American tribes, the Cherokee had a written language, which was comprised of 86 characters created in the 1820s by Sequoyah, a jewelry maker. Unlike Plains Indians, the Cherokee lived in log cabin-type homes, wore turbans and preferred European clothing. The Cherokee Nation prospered in the Great Smoky Mountains until the United States Government initiated the tragic "Trail of Tears," driving the tribe out of the mountains and marching them 1,200 miles to Oklahoma in 1838. At least 4,000 men, women and children died during the ordeal. Today, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are descendants of those Cherokee who hid out in the mountains to avoid removal.
Cherokee also has many outdoor activities to enjoy, including trout fishing, river tubing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and camping. Don’t miss a visit to beautiful 200-foot Mingo Falls or the tranquil Oconaluftee Islands Park, which provides picnic tables, shelters and grills. In addition, the Southern entrance to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway is just 1 mile away from Cherokee. Annual events in Cherokee include the Cherokee Indian Fall Festival in early October. Cherokee is conveniently located just 35 miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, 150 miles from Atlanta, Georgia and 162 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. Before you embark on your exploration of Cherokee, visit the Cherokee Welcome Center on U.S. 441 North for details on area attractions, restaurants and accommodations.
