Accessible
Piers & Ramps
Old 288 - FONTANA LAKE
Ramp & Pier: Old 288 From Bryson City. Take US 19 S to right turn at SR 1323 (Slope St.; begins at bridge by Walgreens). Travel Slope St. .2 miles and turn left at the blinking light onto SR 1321 (Bryson Walk). Bryson Walk becomes Old 288. Travel 1.6 miles and turn left to follow the river continuing on Old 288. Travel .8 miles to the area at the end of the road.
The ramp is accessible, and there are picnic tables, accessible restrooms, covered pavillion, hiking trails and fishing pier at this location.
LEMMONS BRANch - FONTANA LAKE
Ramp only: Lemmons Branch From Bryson City take US 19/74 West to NC 28 N (right turn towards Robbinsville). Follow NC 28 about 3 miles to the sign for the Tsali Recreation area. Turn right and follow signs to Lemmons Branch Boat Ramp. The ramp is accessible.
LewellYn Branch - Cheoah Lake
Ramp & Pier: On Cheoah Lake, just below Fontana Dam, the Lewellyn Branch public boat ramp and fishing pier are both accessible. From Bryson City take US 19/74 West to NC 28 N (right turn towards Robbinsville). Follow NC 28N about 25 miles, crossing the Little Tennessee River just below Fontana Dam.
WAYAH ROAD - UPPER NANTAHALA RIVER
Pier: Follow US 19/74 West of Bryson City through the Nantahala River Gorge to a left turn onto Wayah Road. (State Road 1310). The parking lot for the pier (Wishon's Fishing Hole) is on the right just after you cross the first bridge — about one-quarter mile beyond the rafting put-in and parking, which is across from the power plant.
ELA - Oconaluftee River
Pier: Follow US 19/74 East of Bryson City. Just past the bridge over the Oconaluftee River (sign for Whittier), take the Dam Road (in the curve). An accessible fishing pier is about 300 yards up the road, just below the dam. There is a sign for the Bryson Tailrace Access Area at the parking. This area also has a canoe / kayak portage trail around the dam with suitable launch / takeout sites.
Cherokee - Oconaluftee River
Piers only: There are two accessible fishing piers on the Oconaluftee River in downtown Cherokee. One is on US 441 N on the west bank just south of the Dairy Queen restaurant. The other is on Acquoni Road on the east bank at Island Park.
TUCKASEGEE RIVER - BRYSON CITY
In downtown Bryson City, travel north on Everett Street. After crossing the bridge, take the first right on to Island Street and travel three short blocks to the pier.
