Tsali Recreation Area

This trail is a superb trip for beginner and experienced bikers alike. While not classically technical, it offers varied terrain, gorgeous views and well-​groomed trails for many skill levels. The Overlook is not to be missed. My only, slight, criticism would be that the trails were marked a bit better. Tree blazes or updated signage (many of it is currently incomplete or decrepit) would eliminate confusion and make for a better user experience. I’ll be back during a different season but I couldn’t have been more pleased with my 23 mile Thanksgiving ride here. A little slice of mountain biking heaven.

I love Tsali!
This is a great area. Tsali is best known to mountain bikers for its’ trails, but there is a lot more to do here. All the trails are open to hikers at any time and have a good mix of lake and mountain views with some great spots to take a picnic and some pics. Fontana Lake is a good paddling lake especially during the winter, spring and Fall when there are fewer motor boats out. There is also a campground here with 42 sites. It’s an older Forest Service campground but it’s well manicured. There are 2 bath houses, but beware, they are both filthy and one appears to be very new. The Forest Service needs to get with the program on these, Seriously, they are disgusting. However, the Tsali experience is well worth enduring the filthy bath houses when camping.
The mountain biking in this area is a mecca for a reason. The trails (4 main loops with mileage varying between 8 and 13 miles each) are fast and despite their always being a lot of folks here you will rarely see them on the trail. As the other reviewer mentioned, experienced bikers will not find this area technical enough as the trails have become a bit worn and smooth after so much use especially compared to nearby Dupont & Pisgah, but the inexperienced, newbs and some intermediate riders will find plenty of challenge here and experienced bikers will just enjoy the roller coaster ride. The trails alternate every other day between allowing horses and mountain bikes on them, but I have never seen horse back riders here. One of the locals told me that there were so many mountain bikers the horse back riders don’t come out any more to avoid confrontation and I noticed several riders riding trails they should not have been riding (poaching) which isn’t cool in my opinion. Follow the rules and share the trail with everyone. Regardless, the mountain biking is some of the best on the east coast.
Tsali is a bit off the beaten path but I encourage everyone to go. Some blogs and guide books I read say it is minutes from downtown Asheville, ignore these. It’s 74 miles from downtown Asheville and 87 miles from downtown Knoxville. It’s only minutes from downtown Bryson City, NC. Cell phones work here, but it will be hit or miss with a decent signal. Go hit the trails and have fun.

One of the classic mountain bike trail systems in the Southeast. Four trails – Thompson, Mouse, Left Loop, Right Loop. Left Loop and Right Loop are probably the most famous and the best (IMHO), but the other two are fun as well (and a bit easier). Not the gnarliest trails around, but they’re all fast and fun and include some great views of Lake Fontana.
The trails alternate between bike and horse availability so make sure that the trail you want to ride is open on the day you’re there (please don’t poach on the wrong day!). Make sure to take in the overlook no matter which trail you choose. Also – remember to pay the nominal fee to make sure we can continue to improve these terrific trails. Visit the Nantahala Outdoor Center nearby if you need a bike rental for the day.
It’s now the cool thing among mountain bikers to make fun of Tsali and talk about how it’s not technical enough, but that just goes to show that the uncool thing among mountain bikers is often the most fun.