The Nantahala Outdoor Center is a magnet for both whitewater enthusiasts and tourists. Its central office is located on the Nantahala River, in Bryson City, NC. A small community has grown around the river, including a cafe, two restaurants, guest lodging and an outfitters shop. A typical trip down a nine-mile stretch of the Nantahala with the outdoor center takes about two and a half hours.

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A hand on an oar cutting through splashing water
Kayakers on the river looking at the mountains
An instructor demonstrates knot tying while kayakers practice
Two girls sign waivers up against a post in preparation
A boy in puts on his water shoes while sitting on a bench
Multicolored kayaks are reflected in the bumper of a Toyota truck
A man holds a raft over his head, preparing to load it on a vehicle
A young girl sticks her head out a bus window as it zooms down the street
Close-up of kayakers being splashed with water as they travel
Diners eat at a table while looking out the window to the rapids
Two men paddle while a third falls into the river
A hand reaches down to pull wet rafting pants off past shoes
A hand strums the top of a guitar
A man rests his head on a woman's lap near the river

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