Whitewater Rafting/Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest/Cherohala Skyway

Whitewater Rafting/Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest or Cherohala Skyway: If you schedule an early whitewater rafting trip, you will still have time to visit Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest or The Cherohala Skyway. After rafting, travel West on US 74 and turn Right (North) on NC 129 (two miles after the "put-in" point for your morning rafting). Continue on NC 129 through Robbinsville. Approximately 2 miles North of the last stoplight in Robbinsville turn left (West) on NC 143 (There are signs to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and the Cherohala Skyway). Approximately 10 miles after turning West off US 129 onto NC 143 is the turn-off to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, or continue straight and NC 143 becomes the Cherohala Skyway, a scenic highway that easily rivals the Blue Ridge Parkway: well designed with wonderful vistas, plenty of stops at overlooks and short hikes.