Your Ultimate Road Trip Guide: North Carolina's Scenic Byways
With more than 50,000 square miles of mountainous forests full of waterfalls, hidden overlooks, and incredible hiking trails, North Carolina has a lot to offer. North Carolina’s scenic byways help visitors and residents alike access these natural treasures.
We’ve made this guide to help you see as much of North Carolina as possible, highlighting the best scenic byways and notable stops you can’t miss along the way. Happy travels and stay safe on the road.
Blue Ridge Parkway
- Distance: 469 miles
- Drive Time: 12 hours, 25 minutes
Blue Ridge Parkway, nicknamed “America’s Favorite Drive,” carves its way through the heart of the Appalachians in North Carolina and Virginia. Countless overlooks, historic sites, and hikes await those who embark on one of the nation’s most beautiful scenic drives.
Take a look at this map of the Blue Ridge Parkway to get a better idea of what you can expect to find on your trip. To help get you started, here are just a few of the best stops to make along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina:
Waterrock Knob
- Milepost 451.2
Waterrock Knob is the highest visitor center along the Blue Ridge Parkway. From here, you can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding mountains or take off on the Waterrock Knob Trail.
Mount Mitchell
- Milepost 344
Enjoy a picnic at Mount Mitchell State Park or take the short but steep hike to the summit for one of the best views in all of North Carolina.
Craggy Pinnacle
- Milepost 364
Craggy Pinnacle offers a full 360° view of the mountains and makes for a spectacular sunset or sunrise hike. With an average hike time of around 20 minutes, Craggy Pinnacle is a necessary stop that will produce some of the best pictures of your whole trip.
Cherohala Skyway
- Distance: 51 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour, 18 minutes
The Cherohala Skyway winds through western North Carolina into Tennessee through untouched Appalachian forest. Named as one of the Discovery Channel’s “Top Ten Motorcycle Rides in North America,” this two-lane highway boasts more than 300 turns and curves spread over 50 miles, making this drive as fun as it is beautiful.
While the Cherohala Skyway is most popular among bikers, the road is open to everyone and is just as amazing on four wheels as it is on two. If you decide to explore one of North Carolina’s best-kept secrets, make sure you stop at these highlights to make the most of your time here.
Hooper Bald
Hooper Bald is one of the highest points along the Cherohala Skyway. This quiet and open meadow is surrounded by azalea trees and is a great place to soak in some crisp and clean mountain air.
Bald River Falls
Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular falls in the region, it’s worth your time to take a detour off the Skyway to see this waterfall up close. The tiered waterfall with a 90 foot drop into the rocky riverbed is mesmerizing. The falls can be viewed from the bridge, or you can walk underneath for a closer view.
Highway 64 | Waterfall Byway
- Distance: 95.5 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours, 14 minutes
Highway 64 is North Carolina’s longest numbered road, traversing the entire state from the Tennessee border to the Atlantic Ocean. Nicknamed “Waterfall Byway,” the highway meanders through miles of forested mountains that are teeming with waterfalls. While we don’t have time to go over all the waterfalls you should stop and see along the way, here’s a quick list of our top three stops.
Bust Your Butt Falls
- Address: Cullasaja River, Highlands, NC 28741
Bust Your Butt Falls is a popular roadside swimming spot that features a natural waterslide and a good spot for cliff jumping. The boulders around the falls are always wet and slippery, so be sure to watch your step if you want to avoid living up to the waterfall’s name.
Dry Falls & Bridal Veil Falls
- Address: US-64, Highlands, NC 28741
Just a short drive down Highway 64 from Bust Your Butt Falls is Dry Falls. Dry Falls is one of the few waterfalls that allows you to walk behind it without getting wet – hence its name. Since you’re able to see the waterfall from all angles, it’s easy to get some incredible photos here.
If you keep heading east along the Waterfall Byway, you’ll run into Bridal Veil Falls about a mile from Dry Falls. Until recently, Bridal Veil Falls was the only waterfall that you could drive behind. While you’re no longer allowed to take your car behind the falls, the road behind the falls makes this one of the most accessible falls along the Waterfall Byway.
Newfound Gap Road Scenic Drive
- Distance: 35.7 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour, 3 minutes
Newfound Gap Road is the lowest drivable pass through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Driving the Gap has been compared to driving from Georgia to Maine because of the dramatic change in vegetation. At the bottom of the Gap, you’ll see plenty of cove hardwood and pine-oak. As you climb up through the mountains, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the fragrant pines and aspens typically found in New England.
There’s plenty to see and do in the park, and we recommend checking out our guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to help you plan the perfect day trip.
Spend Your Vacation with Cherokee Mountain Cabins
Nestled amidst the natural beauty of North Carolina, Cherokee Mountain Cabins offers an ideal haven for your road trip adventure. Centrally located between the best of North Carolina’s scenic byways, we are the ideal place to set up camp while you explore these iconic routes.
Each cabin has been thoughtfully designed to provide comfort and privacy, boasting unique amenities from hand-crafted furnishings to inviting decks and cozy fireplaces – the perfect place to unwind after a long day in the car. Book your cabin today to start your unforgettable road trip through North Carolina’s enchanting scenery.
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