Looking for a scenic train ride in the North Carolina Smoky Mountains? Make Franklin, NC your home base and add a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad to your Western North Carolina itinerary.
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR) departs from nearby Bryson City and offers scenic excursions through some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the region. Depending on the route, passengers can travel alongside rivers, through the Nantahala Gorge, past Fontana Lake and through the rolling countryside of Western North Carolina.
Best of all, you don’t have to pack up and change destinations to experience it. Stay in Franklin, spend the day riding the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, and return to Franklin for dinner, shopping and a relaxing evening in town.
Why Stay in Franklin When Riding the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad?
Franklin’s location in the heart of the mountains makes it an ideal home base for exploring Western North Carolina.
Start your morning with breakfast or coffee in downtown Franklin, make the scenic drive to Bryson City for your train excursion, and then head back to Franklin after your ride. Once you’re back, you’ll find locally owned restaurants, breweries, shops and plenty of places to unwind after a full day of sightseeing.
Staying in Franklin also puts you within easy reach of many of the region’s other top attractions, including waterfalls, hiking trails, Cherokee cultural attractions, the Nantahala River and scenic mountain drives.
Instead of planning your vacation around just one attraction, base your Smoky Mountains getaway in Franklin and explore from here.
Choose Your Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Adventure
GSMR’s two signature scenic excursions offer very different views of the mountains.
Nantahala Gorge Excursion
If dramatic mountain scenery is at the top of your list, the Nantahala Gorge Excursion is a great choice.
This 4½-hour, 44-mile round-trip train ride departs from Bryson City and travels alongside Fontana Lake and the Nantahala River before reaching the Nantahala Gorge.
The trip includes a one-hour layover in the gorge, giving passengers time to get off the train, stretch their legs and take in one of Western North Carolina’s most famous outdoor recreation areas.
Between the lake, river and surrounding mountains, this excursion offers plenty of classic Smoky Mountains scenery along the way.
Tuckasegee River Excursion
For a relaxing ride through the countryside, choose the Tuckasegee River Excursion.
The approximately four-hour, 32-mile round-trip journey travels from Bryson City to the historic mountain town of Dillsboro. Along the route, passengers travel through the Cowee Tunnel and past countryside, river views and a location featured in the 1993 movie The Fugitive.
Once you reach Dillsboro, you’ll have approximately one hour and 20 minutes to explore before boarding the train for the return trip.
Browse local shops, grab a bite to eat or simply enjoy a walk through this small Western North Carolina mountain town.
Make Your Train Ride Part of a Franklin, NC Day Trip
One of the easiest ways to enjoy GSMR is to make the train the centerpiece of a day that begins and ends in Franklin.
Morning: Start in Franklin
Grab breakfast and coffee before heading out. If your departure time allows, take a short walk along Main Street and browse a few of Franklin’s locally owned shops.
Midday: Ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Drive to the Bryson City Depot and board your selected excursion. GSMR recommends arriving at least one hour before departure, so be sure to build extra time into your schedule.
Then sit back and enjoy the mountains from the rails.
Evening: Come Back to Franklin
After your train returns to Bryson City, head back to Franklin for the evening.
Choose a locally owned restaurant for dinner, grab a craft beer, take an evening stroll through downtown or simply relax at your Franklin accommodations before your next mountain adventure.
More Than a Train Ride: Special GSMR Experiences
In addition to its traditional scenic excursions, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers specialty experiences throughout the year. Availability and dates vary, so always check GSMR’s current schedule while planning your trip.
Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience
Adults 21 and older can experience a uniquely Appalachian take on First Class rail travel aboard the Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience.
Offered in conjunction with the Nantahala Gorge Excursion, the experience combines a First Class train ride with samples of handcrafted moonshine, Appalachian moonshining history and a meal.
It’s an especially fun option for an adults-only getaway—and another reason to make Franklin your home base for a weekend in the mountains.
Uncorked Wine Experience
For wine lovers, GSMR’s Uncorked experience combines rail travel with wine and dining aboard the train.
These specialty excursions are offered on select dates and tend to book quickly, making them worth planning for in advance if you’re building a couples’ getaway or friends’ weekend around Franklin.
Spirits on the Rail
Another adults-only option, Spirits on the Rail pairs a scenic evening train ride with bourbon and a multi-course dining experience.
Select dates are offered throughout the year, giving visitors another way to turn a day on the railroad into a memorable Western North Carolina experience.
Family-Friendly Special Events
Families should also keep an eye on GSMR’s seasonal calendar.
Special events vary from year to year and can include experiences such as the Bunny Hopper Express, Day Out With Thomas and other family-focused train adventures.
Because these events are date-specific, check the current GSMR schedule before planning your Franklin vacation around one.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride: A Holiday Tradition Near Franklin, NC
Visiting Franklin during the holiday season? One of the region’s most popular Christmas experiences is just a scenic drive away.
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride returns for the 2026 holiday season from November into early January 2027.
Inspired by the classic story, the experience departs from Bryson City for a journey to the “North Pole.” Along the way, passengers enjoy hot chocolate and a sweet treat while characters bring the story to life.
On the return trip, Santa visits the train and presents children with the first gift of Christmas—a silver sleigh bell.
Pair your Polar Express adventure with a stay in Franklin, where you can enjoy the small-town atmosphere, holiday shopping, restaurants and seasonal events before or after your train ride.
What Type of Seating Is Available on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad?
Your experience aboard GSMR can vary considerably depending on the class of service you select.
Options can include traditional Coach Class, Open Air Gondola seating, climate-controlled Crown Class and upgraded dining experiences.
If seeing and photographing the mountains is your priority, consider one of the open-air options. If you’re traveling during warmer or colder weather—or simply prefer additional comfort—one of the climate-controlled classes may be a better fit.
Available classes vary by excursion and departure, so check the options offered for your specific travel date when booking.
When Is the Best Time to Ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad?
There’s really no single “best” season to take a scenic train ride in the Smoky Mountains. Each offers something different.
Spring brings fresh green landscapes, wildflowers and comfortable temperatures.
Summer pairs beautifully with a longer Franklin vacation filled with waterfalls, tubing, hiking and other outdoor adventures.
Fall is especially popular as the mountains transform with brilliant autumn color. If you’re planning a fall foliage trip to Franklin and Western North Carolina, book your train excursion early.
Winter brings a quieter mountain landscape along with holiday experiences like THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.
Frequently Asked Questions About GSMR and Franklin, NC
Is the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad close to Franklin, NC?
Yes. GSMR excursions depart from Bryson City in Western North Carolina, making the railroad an easy addition to a Franklin-based Smoky Mountains vacation.
Can I stay in Franklin and take a day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad?
Absolutely. Franklin works especially well as a home base because you can begin your day downtown, travel to Bryson City for your excursion and return to Franklin for dinner and your overnight stay.
Where does the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depart?
GSMR excursions depart from the Bryson City Depot in Bryson City, North Carolina. Travelers should verify their departure information when booking and plan to arrive early.
What are the main Great Smoky Mountains Railroad routes?
The two primary scenic routes are the Nantahala Gorge Excursion and the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Seasonal and specialty train experiences are also offered throughout the year.
Is the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad good for families?
Yes. Traditional scenic excursions can be enjoyed by multiple generations, and GSMR also offers select family-oriented special events throughout the year.
Do I need to buy Great Smoky Mountains Railroad tickets in advance?
Advance reservations are a good idea, particularly for fall foliage excursions, holiday trains and specialty experiences. Popular departures can fill up.
Turn One Train Ride Into a Smoky Mountains Getaway
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad may be the day’s adventure, but Franklin can be the place you come home to.
Spend the morning exploring Franklin, ride through the mountains aboard one of Western North Carolina’s most memorable attractions, and return for an evening of local dining, shopping and small-town mountain hospitality.
Then wake up the next morning and choose your next adventure.
Chase waterfalls. Hike a mountain trail. Explore Cherokee history and culture. Drive a scenic byway. Search for gems. Paddle a river. Or simply slow down and enjoy another day in Franklin.
Make Franklin, NC, your home base and discover just how much of the North Carolina Smoky Mountains you can experience from here.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad routes, schedules, special events, seating options and availability are subject to change. Check the official GSMR schedule when planning your trip.
