Get Geared Up For The Outdoors At NOC Gatlinburg
By Leif Palmer
Posted on July 5, 2018
We're smack dab in the middle of summer, which means this is peak season for folks coming to the Great Smoky Mountains and enjoying the outdoor lifestyle this area has to offer. Between the neighboring national park, a nearby national forest, whitewater-filled rivers and TVA reservoirs that occupy so much of our region, opportunities abound for families to get outside and play this summer.
Before you embark on your next adventure, however, you might want to make sure you've got all the right gear for the task. And that's where NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) Gatlinburg comes in. Located in the heart of downtown, this retail center is your one-stop destination for getting yourself prepped for taking on the great outdoors.
This 18,000-square-foot flagship store is handily located near one of the main entrances to Great Smoky Mountains national park, and they carry just about everything you'd need to enjoy excursions into the Smokies and the region's other recreational hotspots.
Look for a wide range of products from top industry manufacturers like Columbia, Keen, Patagonia, Osprey, Chaco and more. Products range from tents and backpacks to footwear and hydration products. There's even a 1,000-square-foot section called the North Face Summit Shop, where you'll find a full array of gear, footwear, outerwear and apparel in the TNF brand, whether your goal is hiking, camping, running or just living casually.
Even if you're not interested in outdoor exploration, NOC carries a large selection of vacation essentials like shoes, sandals, swimsuits, sunglasses, hats and more for casual vacation enjoyment.
The shop offers customers its signature approach to service, which includes “gifts, gear and guidance.” That means they not only carry the right gear for the task at hand, but they also have a knowledgeable staff that will help you make sure you're getting the products best suited for your plans. They can even help guests plan whitewater rafting and other guided outdoor excursions right there in the store.
NOC Gatlinburg also offers an in-store shopping experience that's unique and fun, boasting a swinging rope bridge, a kid-friendly bear cave and a giant fireplace for warming up in winter (obviously, not needed these days).
And note that NOC Gatlinburg is within walking distance of our Gatlinburg parking locations, so no need to worry about finding a spot at the store itself.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in Gatlinburg. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.