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

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Historic Tapoco Lodge Resort

Historic Tapoco Lodge Resort

3 out of 5
14981 Tapoco Road Robbinsville NC
The price is AU$416 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
AU$416
9 Mar - 10 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
Best Western Cades Cove Inn

Best Western Cades Cove Inn

2.5 out of 5
7824 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy Townsend TN
The price is AU$104 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
AU$104
9 Mar - 10 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 breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
Room was clean very quite and breakfast was really good

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2026

Best Western Cades Cove Inn
Tremont Lodge & Resort

Tremont Lodge & Resort

3 out of 5
7726 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy Townsend TN
The price is AU$197 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
AU$197
9 Mar - 10 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! (534 reviews)
The property was pet friendly which is number one to us. It’s a nice quiet area not far from attractions in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. It’s always clean and the staff is super nice. We stay here every year (sometimes more than once).

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2026

Tremont Lodge & Resort
See all 1,008 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.
Log Cabin, walk to Cades Cove and just minutes from Gatlinburg with a view!

Log Cabin, walk to Cades Cove and just minutes from Gatlinburg with a view!

Townsend TN
Stay at this cabin in Townsend. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Cades Cove and Tuckaleechee Caverns are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (163 reviews)
The cabin was beautiful, in a quiet location and very clean. You can tell that the owners care about the property and their guests.

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Log Cabin, walk to Cades Cove and just minutes from Gatlinburg with a view!
Creek Front Mountain Cabin with Jacuzzi.

Creek Front Mountain Cabin with Jacuzzi.

Andrews NC
Stay at this cabin in Andrews. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Hugh Hamilton Stadium and Ferebee Park are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (468 reviews)
Everything was perfect. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful views and the cozy cabin. Awesome experience!

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2026

Creek Front Mountain Cabin with Jacuzzi.
Red Door cabin- romantic getaway near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Red Door cabin- romantic getaway near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Townsend TN
Stay at this cabin in Townsend. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, cable/satellite TV service and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions River Rage Go-Kart Track and Great ...
10/10 Exceptional! (340 reviews)
Absolutely loved the cabin, it was cozy and great for a couple retreat. Host was easy to get ahold of and answered any questions quickly. Will definitely be on our places to return to!

Reviewed on 20 Feb 2026

Red Door cabin- romantic getaway near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
See all 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.

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

Graham County Park

Graham County Park is just one of the places to see in Robbinsville, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble around this relaxing area's riverfront or seek out the hiking trails.

Graham County Park

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

Activities

Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

AU$23
per traveller
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
Historic River Town Ramble

Historic River Town Ramble

AU$102
per adult
Historic River Town Ramble
Thundering Streams and Falls of the Smokies Guided Hiking Tour

Thundering Streams and Falls of the Smokies Guided Hiking Tour

AU$93
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Thundering Streams and Falls of the Smokies Guided Hiking Tour
Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Cades Cove: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

AU$21
per traveller
80% of travellers recommend
Cades Cove: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour

Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour

AU$181
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour
Discover the beauty, mystery, and history of America’s most visited national park on this self-guided drive through the Great Smoky Mountains.

Great Smoky Mountains Self-Guided Scenic Drive and Audio Tour

AU$21
per traveller
Great Smoky Mountains Self-Guided Scenic Drive and Audio Tour
See all activities in Tapoco