The Nantahala National Forest is a national forest locate in the American state of North Carolina. The word "Nantahala" is a Cherokee Indian word meaning "Land of the Noonday Sun." The name is appropriate as, in some spots, the sun only reaches the floors of the deep gorges of the national forest when directly overhead at midday. The Spanish Conquistador, Hernando de Soto, explored the area in 1540, as did William Bartram in the 18th century, and in 1920 the Nantahala Forest was established. The Nantahala National Forest is home to the famous Nantahala River and the Nantahala Outdoor Center, voted the #1 water tourist destination by National Geographic Magazine.