Your online resource for the Smoky Mountains
Cherokee is first and foremost the sovereign home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Situated on the Qualla Boundary—a 57,000-acre land trust held by the federal government—this vibrant community has leveraged its location adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to build a thriving tourism destination. Combining rich cultural heritage, premier outdoor recreation, and world-class resort amenities like Harrah's Cherokee Casino, Cherokee remains an anchor destination in the Smoky Mountains.
The Cherokee people have inhabited the Southern Appalachians for thousands of years, developing a sophisticated culture, agriculture, and societal structure long before European contact. As colonial expansion pressured their ancestral homelands, treaties reduced Cherokee territory, eventually culminating in the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the forced migration known as the Trail of Tears.
However, many Cherokee remained in the mountains—either through special treaties (such as those involving Chief Yonaguska and William Holland Thomas) or by taking refuge in the remote high peaks. Over time, those who stayed joined returning tribal members to establish their permanent homeland in Western North Carolina. Today, 21st-century Cherokee honors its history through living history demonstrations, outdoor theater, and immersive cultural institutions while offering modern mountain adventures.
Explore detailed summaries, attractions, and cultural highlights across Cherokee: