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.