Lakeview Drive Scenic Byway

Tucked into the misty mountains of western North Carolina, Lakeview Drive — often called the “Road to Nowhere” — offers one of the state’s most hauntingly beautiful drives. This State Scenic Byway begins near Bryson City at the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, winding along the shores of Fontana Lake before ending abruptly at a tunnel portal carved into the mountainside.

The route delivers sweeping views of deep blue lake waters framed by densely forested ridgelines. Pull over at any of the informal overlooks to watch morning fog lift from the water or catch the fiery reflection of autumn foliage on the lake’s glassy surface. At the road’s end, adventurous travelers can walk through the short tunnel and continue on foot along old roadbeds that penetrate deeper into the national park’s backcountry.

Wildlife sightings are common — keep an eye out for wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and the occasional black bear. The drive itself takes only about 20 minutes, but allow a full morning to explore the tunnel, hike the trails beyond, and linger at the overlooks.

The best time to visit is mid-October, when fall color peaks across the Smokies.