Oconaluftee Islands Park
Oconaluftee Islands Park
Oconaluftee Islands Park
4.7
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.7
464 reviews
Excellent
336
Very good
109
Average
17
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Elisa S
3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Just had a large (120 people) family reunion and was able to take advantage of this park for evening picnic meals. It is a beautiful location and has 4 or 5 large pavilions with picnic tables and power. You make reservations for the pavilions through the Cherokee Welcome center for FREE. Veronica helped me and was WONDERFUL - so helpful, knowledgeable and kind. She even took time to help answer questions regarding the area that didn't even have anything to do with the park since I was doing the planning. HIGHLY recommend this for family or large groups. There are large grassy areas where you can set up camp chairs, corn hole and other games. This worked out perfect for our needs!
Written July 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fraunies
Wisconsin Rapids, WI27 contributions
Oct 2022
We were with our children and grandchildren and we wanted to stretch our legs. This park was fun. The boys were skipping rocks in the river, and the granddaughter was stacking rocks to form art. There are also photo opportunities through out the park. A fun place to relax and enjoy the quietness of the outdoors.
Written October 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David J
17 contributions
Jul 2021
I ate brunch here (takeout from the Food Lion grocery store), and it was very relaxing for me. Plenty of benches, both artificial and natural. (I sat on a rock.) Water on both sides added some variety to the sounds and sights.
Written July 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel D
3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We took a short getaway to Cherokee . We stayed at the Great Smokies Inn and attended “ Unto these Hills “ we fished in the reservation creeks and spent a day in the park . We enjoyed eating at the Wyes Grill , Native Brewery , and Peters Pancakes . Our hotel was older , but very clean and well kept , staff was awesome. Every encounter we had in Cherokee was a positive experience , except we found it difficult to get a fishing permit , first online before we left , went to one gas station that said they weren’t doing them , recommended us to the Ace Hardware behind them , we went the next morning and they had some difficulty with the system but patiently worked it out so we could get one . I would suggest having the system upgraded to ensure visitors have no problems getting a permit . We loved our visit and plan to return for another .
Written July 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrei
River Ridge, LA1,234 contributions
Jul 2021
My wife and I took an early morning walk through Oconaluftee Islands Park while visiting the area a couple of weeks ago. It was a beautiful day, so we brought breakfast with us and ate it at one of the picnic tables in the park. It was relaxing to see and hear the river flowing in front of us while we ate. Afterwards, we walked through the park and dipped our toes in the cool river water. There were a few other people out getting some exercise in before it got too hot. Everyone was friendly and said hello to us.
If you are in the area looking to do something quiet to unwind without having to go all the way up to the national park, Oconaluftee Islands Park is definitely a great option!
If you are in the area looking to do something quiet to unwind without having to go all the way up to the national park, Oconaluftee Islands Park is definitely a great option!
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
greglinmon
Las Cruces, NM1,064 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Spent an afternoon while on vacation letting boys ages 12 and 13 play in river. Better than hotel pool. Lots of people. Water cold but refreshing. Stay in sun and not shadows for warming. What a great local park in city. Restrooms, tables and benches. Lots of green space. Just a great time. Current swift so little ones need to be with parent.
Written June 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan
Panama City Beach, FL14,085 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
My wife & I were passing through Cherokee & decided to stop & spend some down time relaxing in the park. Amenities include picnic tables (some with grills), shaded areas, paved walking trail that winds through the park, fishing, swimming or wading (seasonal), swings to relax by the river & a pavilion with picnic tables & of course you can feed the ducks. Located in the heart of Cherokee. Small parking areas located on either side of the river. Loved the Halloween decorations.
Written November 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
698diane
Lexington, NC5 contributions
Feb 2020
My husband and I visit Cherokee yearly with our kids and grandkids and stay in Cabins at Jellystone so we rarely get to see the other different areas. We traveled to Cherokee for a Valentine's Weekend together, just us. Road and stopped at a lot of locations but his was beautiful Nice, quiet place to be.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dkinney2010
Saint James City, FL73 contributions
Sep 2020
Walking down to the river, listening to the waters rushing over the rocks was "the only sound" in the air!! There is a nice walk down to waters edge...easy short walk... maybe 7 steps. Look over to original Tee Pees with Indian Painting Patterns! Do Not Miss this!
Written October 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krr1975
Sevierville, TN1,090 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
Had such a great time walking through and seeing these beautiful light displays! Nice walk along the River with several different displays. Several ones that you and be in the display for photos. Holiday music playing as well. Nearby they had a small ice skating rink with free ice skating, a food truck and more holiday music. Definitely worth seeing!
Written December 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trying to get some insight on if a cremation ceremony is allowed at this park due to being on tribal reservation was not sure. Thank you
Written June 18, 2020
A am unable to answer your question. I suggest calling the Cherokee Bureau of Indians, Cherokee, N.C. Possibly they maybe able your question.
Written June 19, 2020
This is an open park (no fences) and you can enter 24/7, but basically, it is usable dawn to dusk. Parking is an issue if it is crowded. No camping, but sometimes there are self-contained RVs in the parking lot.
Written August 13, 2018
If you are asking if there are RV spots to hook up and camp overnight, like a campground, the answer is no. It's not a campground. But like others have said, there are some parking lots very close that would accommodate a camper or RV. The park is actually straddled by a creek coming out of the mountains. Think of it as a "zero-depth river" like the ones you might find at a town pool. It's great for the kids, and for those of us who want to "dip our toes in a mountain stream!"
FYI - There is a KOA campground that is about 5-10 minutes from here that has cabins, paved sites, and hook-ups if you are looking to camp. I'm pretty sure they have a stocked pond and another mountain stream coming through the campground.
Written September 13, 2015
We picked up food from a local restaurant, so I'm not positive about if there are grills there. However, I just saw in "The Insiders Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains" that they do have grills in the park.
Written May 24, 2015
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