Tapoco Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cheoah Dam on the Little Tennessee River was built in 1919 and is below Fontana Dam. The dam is 225 Ft tall.
Cheoah Dam on the Little Tennessee River was built in 1919 and is below Fontana Dam. The dam is 225 Ft tall.
Random fact: The Fugitive was filmed here in 1993
The Cheoah project began in 1916 as a construction camp at the Narrows where the Little Tennessee River flowed through a narrow gorge, and was completed in 1919. Cheoah Dam helps form the long, narrow Cheoah Reservoir, which covers the approximately 644 acres of the normal full pool area and a drainage area of 1,608 square miles. The elevation of Cheoah Reservoir is 1,276.8 feet. A scenic highway runs the length of the reservoir. When completed, the 225-foot dam was the world's highest overflow dam. The turbines were the largest in the world, and the 150,000-volt transmission line had the highest voltage and the longest span for a transmission line — 5,010 feet across the river below Cheoah Dam. The dam and associated structures were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. The dam was used as a filming location for the 1993 movie The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford.
Beautiful View of the Cheoah Dam from the bridge
Historic Tapoco Lodge Resort

Historic Tapoco Lodge Resort

3 out of 5
14981 Tapoco Road Robbinsville NC
The price is ฿8,045 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
฿8,045
฿9,091 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this historic lodge in Robbinsville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (423 reviews)
Very limited on other options to dine out. Because of the location.

Reviewed on 29 Nov 2025

Historic Tapoco Lodge Resort
Tremont Lodge & Resort

Tremont Lodge & Resort

3 out of 5
7726 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy Townsend TN
The price is ฿2,623 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
฿2,623
฿3,788 total
2 Mar - 3 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Townsend. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (532 reviews)
This is our second stay at the resort and we enjoyed this as much as we did last time. Clean room. Jacuzzi tub. Beautiful view. And even in the off season so welcoming. Hands down Townsend is the hidden jewel of the Smokies. And Tremont Lodge and Resort is the shimmer in that jewel.

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2026

Tremont Lodge & Resort
Best Western Cades Cove Inn

Best Western Cades Cove Inn

2.5 out of 5
7824 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy Townsend TN
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿2,487 per night from 27 Feb to 28 Feb
฿2,487
฿2,854 total
27 Feb - 28 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Townsend. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Room was clean very quite and breakfast was really good

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2026

Best Western Cades Cove Inn
See all 1,006 properties in Tapoco
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park

4 out of 5
Gatlinburg TN
Stay at this spa hotel in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,156 reviews)
Very nice place , very clean , there is good secury , shuttle buses inside primeses , this is a top notched hotel!

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
Deer Ridge Mountain Resort

Deer Ridge Mountain Resort

2.5 out of 5
3710 Weber Rd Gatlinburg TN
Stay at this condo in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a picnic area. Popular attractions Bent Creek Golf Club and Little Pigeon River are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (188 reviews)
Definitely could tell the place was dated. Had a few stink bugs around. But you are in the mountains so that's expected. It was descent if you don't have high expectations.

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Deer Ridge Mountain Resort
Luxe Smoky Mountain Cabin: Indoor Pool & Fire Pit!

Luxe Smoky Mountain Cabin: Indoor Pool & Fire Pit!

3 out of 5
Sevierville TN
Stay at this cottage in Sevierville. Enjoy free parking, balconies and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Dollywood and Island at Pigeon Forge are located ...
Luxe Smoky Mountain Cabin: Indoor Pool & Fire Pit!
See all 20,450 properties in Robbinsville
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

lake santeetlah in great smoky mountains

Santeetlah Lake

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Santeetlah Lake during your travels in Robbinsville. Wander the riverfront in this relaxing area.

Santeetlah Lake
Biggest trees east of the Missippippi and the only remaining virgin forest in southern Appalachia

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Explore the great outdoors at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, a lovely green space in Robbinsville. Stroll along this romantic area's riverfront or simply enjoy its restaurants.

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
Santeetlah Dam on Lake Santeetlah and Cheoah River in Graham County, North Carolina reflected in calm water of lake on clear autumn afternoon.

Cheoah River

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Cheoah River during your travels in Robbinsville. Wander the riverfront or discover the mountain views in this relaxing area.

Cheoah River
Santeetlah Dam on Lake Santeetlah and Cheoah River in Graham County, North Carolina reflected in calm water of lake on clear autumn afternoon.

Cheoah Dam

Find out about the history of Tapoco with a stop at Cheoah Dam. Discover the mountain views in this relaxing area or seek out the hiking trails.

Cheoah Dam

Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center

Take the family on an outing to Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center during your trip to Stecoah. Discover the mountain views in this relaxing area.

Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center

Graham County Historical Association

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Graham County Historical Association in Robbinsville. Amble around this relaxing area's riverfront or seek out the hiking trails.

Graham County Historical Association

Things to do

Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

฿509
per traveller
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Cades Cove: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

฿477
per traveller
80% of travellers recommend
Cades Cove: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
Heritage Center Main Building

Ticket pass to the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center (Self-Guided Tour)

฿382
per adult
Ticket pass to the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center (Self-Guided Tour)
Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour

Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour

฿4,662
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour
Great Smoky & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Bundle

Great Smoky & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Bundle

฿796
per traveller
80% of travellers recommend
Great Smoky & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Bundle
Historic River Town Ramble

Historic River Town Ramble

฿2,706
per adult
Historic River Town Ramble
See all activities in Tapoco