List of North Carolina Scenic Byways explained

Header Type:scenic
North Carolina Scenic Byways
Caption:Highway marker
Length Mi:2300
Length Ref:[1]
Interstate:Interstate X (I-X)
Us:US Highway X (US X)
Statehwy:North Carolina Highway X (NC X)
Links:NC

The North Carolina Scenic Byways consists of roads in the state of North Carolina that travel through areas of scenic, historic, and cultural significance. Launched in March 1990, the scenic byway program has presently 59 designated byways, including three national scenic byways and one all American road, a total of 2300miles. The intent of this system is to provide travelers with a safe and interesting alternate route.[1] __TOC__

National scenic byways

RegionNameImageDescriptionmikmReferences
MountainBlue Ridge ParkwayConsidered the original scenic byway, the parkway is recognized as an "All American Road" for its spectacular mountain and valley vistas, waterfalls, and colorful flower and foliage displays. Various activities are available along the route and five campgrounds for overnight visitors. The highest point is at Richland-Balsam Gap at 6053feet.242miles[2]
MountainCherohala SkywayTraversing along NC 143, from the Tennessee state line to Santeetlah Gap, in the Nantahala National Forest. The skyway features cultural heritage of the Cherokee tribe and early settlers in a grand forest environment in the Appalachian Mountains.17.8miles[3]
MountainForest Heritage Scenic BywayTraversing along US 276, this scenic byway through the Pisgah National Forest features the Cradle of Forestry, waterfalls, trails and scenic vistas. The longer 76.7miles National Forest Scenic Byway completes a loop via NC 28 and US 64, connecting Lake Logan and the town of Brevard.17.6miles[4] [5]
Coastal PlainOuter Banks Scenic BywayTraversing along US 70 and NC 12, the byway connects from the mainland to the barrier islands, via ferry. Both the Cape Lookout National Seashore and Cape Hatteras National Seashore are along its route, as well as national wildlife refuges, tourist beaches, lighthouses and unique maritime culture and historical sites.137.8miles[6]

State scenic byways

RegionNameImageDescriptionmikmReferences
MountainWaterfall BywayFollows Harshaw Road (SR 1558), Brasstown Road (SR 1134), Old US 64 (SR 1100), Settawig Road (SR 1135) and US 64. Named for the 200 waterfalls that surround the route, it passes by notable sites including the Cullasaja Gorge, Highlands, Cashiers and Lake Toxaway.

Tractor-Trailers are prohibited on this road and it is also not recommended for recreational vehicles or buses.

98miles[7]
MountainNantahala BywayThe byway traverses between Marble and Whittier, along US 19/US 74/US 129. It is known for its scenic views of the Nantahala Gorge, The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, and the whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River.43miles
MountainIndian Lakes Scenic BywayFollows US 129, from Topton to Deals Gap, where it continues along NC 28 to Almond. The byway provide scenic views along the banks of the Nantahala River, Little Tennessee River, and Cheoah River. It also features the Fontana Dam, Cheoah Dam, Santeetlah Dam, the grave of Junaluska and the Tail of the Dragon.

This route is not recommended for recreational vehicles or buses.

60miles
MountainWhitewater Way9miles
MountainAppalachian Medley45miles
MountainBig Horse Creek Scenic Byway18miles[8]
MountainFrench Broad Overview17miles
MountainHistoric Flat Rock Scenic BywayThe byway is located along NC 225, between Pinnacle Mountain Road (SR 1114) and Highland Lake Road (SR 1783), in the Flat Rock area. It is noted for its views of nearby Glassy and McAlpin mountains and access to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, the Flat Rock Playhouse and the Flat Rock Historic District.8.3miles
MountainDrovers Road16.5miles
MountainBlack Mountain RagFollows US 64, from Edneyville to Lake Lure and NC 9, from Bat Cave to Black Mountain. The byway connects Chimney Rock State Park, Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. It is named after old fiddle tune, the Black Mountain Rag, for it's full of twists, turns, ups and downs.

This byway is not recommended for recreational vehicles or buses.

31miles
MountainPacolet River Byway10miles
MountainSouth Mountain Scenery33miles
MountainMission Crossing17miles
MountainMount Mitchell Scenic DriveStarting at the I-26 interchange (exit 9), the byway follows US 19 in Madison County and US 19E in Yancey County. In Micaville, it switches onto NC 80 and goes through the Toe River valley. Connecting at the Blue Ridge Parkway, travelers continue south until reaching NC 128, where it makes its final ascent to the top of Mount Mitchell. The byway features mountain scenic vistas and local culture experience in Celo and Burnsville.52miles[9]
MountainLittle Parkway18miles
MountainNew River Valley Byway35miles
MountainI-26 Scenic HighwayThe byway traverses between Tennessee state line and Exit 9 (US 19/US 23A), near Mars Hill, along I-26/US 23. The byway is known for its unspoiled views of the North Carolina Mountains.9miles
MountainU.S. 421 Scenic BywayFollows US 221 and US 421 from the Blue Ridge Parkway, in Deep Gap, to the South Fork New River, near Boone. The byway features panoramic views of Snake Mountain and Elk Knob, as well as the forests, horse/cattle farms, and Fraser Fir Christmas Tree farms.8miles
MountainPisgah Loop Scenic BywayThe loop byway traverses along NC 181, NC 183, Old NC Highway 105 (SR 1238), NC 126 and Fish Hatchery Road (SR 1254/SR 1240). The byway is noted its history as the same route the Kirk's Raiders used to make a successful attack on Confederate Army Camp Vance, outside Morganton, during the Civil War. It is also noted for scenic views of the surrounding mountains and access to various trails along the route.

This byway is not recommended for recreational vehicles or buses; four-wheel drive is recommended for unpaved portions of the loop.

47miles
MountainSmoky Mountain Scenic BywayThe byway is located along US 441 (Newfound Gap Road), between the Blue Ridge Parkway, in Ravensford, and the Tennessee state line, at Newfound Gap. Various overlooks dot along the byway, with unique attractions nearby including Clingmans Dome, Oconaluftee Archaeological District and area trails.16.5miles
MountainUpper Yadkin WayThe byway traverses along NC 268 between US 321 and W.Kerr Scott Reservoir, in an area known as Happy Valley. Near Ferguson is the grave of Tom Dula, remembered in the folk song "Tom Dooley."25miles
MountainYadkin Valley Scenic BywayThe byway connects various vineyards and wineries in the area, starting from downtown Elkin and making a loop along US 21, Swan Creek Road, Old US 421, Rockford Road, Zephyr Road and Springs Road.65miles
PiedmontMcAuley Road Scenic BywayProtected along lands controlled by the Catawba Lands Conservancy, the road provides one of the last vestiges of rural vistas of what once dominated Mecklenburg County till the mid-20th century. 1.5miles[10]
PiedmontHanging Rock Scenic Byway38miles
PiedmontClayton Bypass Scenic BywayThe byway is located along US 70, between I-40 and US 70 Bus. It features rolling hills and open pastures peppered with woodlands.10.7miles
PiedmontColonial Heritage Byway92miles
PiedmontFootball Road37miles
PiedmontCrowders Mountain Drive8miles
PiedmontMill Bridge Scenic Byway14miles
PiedmontUwharrie Scenic Road50miles
PiedmontRolling Kansas Byway9miles
PiedmontPee Dee Valley Drive14miles
PiedmontGrassy Island Crossing26miles
PiedmontSandhills Scenic Drive46miles
PiedmontBirkhead Wilderness Route14miles
PiedmontFlint Hill Ramble5miles
PiedmontIndian Heritage Trail18miles
PiedmontPottery RoadLocated along NC 705, between Eagle Springs and Seagrove. The byway traverses through an area where seven families from Staffordshire, the pottery center of England, settled. Their descendants continue to make both traditional and modern pottery forms and nearly 80 potteries can be found in the vicinity of the byway.43miles
PiedmontDevil's Stompin' Ground Road43miles
PiedmontNorth Durham Country Byway27miles
PiedmontAverasboro Battlefield Scenic Byway4.7miles
PiedmontScots-Welsh Heritage BywayThe byway traverses along historic trade roads used by American Indians and early backcountry pioneers. The King of England gave much of the land along this byway to 18th century Scotch-Welsh settlers; much of the land surrounding this byway still used today for farming by those same decedents. Access to the byway is via I-40 at Exit 261 (Hillsborough) and onto Old NC 86. Following south on Old NC 86, cross over New Hope Creek and turn right onto Arthur Minnis Road (SR 1129), continue until Orange Grove Road (SR 1006) and take left, take left onto Dairyland Road (SR 1104), then left again onto Rocky Ridge Road. Once returning to Arthor Minnis Road and left back onto Old NC 86, the byway ends.10miles
Coastal PlainBlue-Gray Scenic Byway82miles
Coastal PlainMeteor Lakes Byway39miles
Coastal PlainGreen Swamp Byway53miles
Coastal PlainBrunswick Town RoadThe byway begins at the intersection of NC 133 and Plantation Road (SR 1529), near Southport, and follows Plantation Road to Tryon Palace Road (SR 1533) and follow it to Brunswick Town State Historic Site. This byway showcases historical Brunswick County.3miles
Coastal PlainCape Fear Historic BywayLocated in downtown Wilmington, it features scenic urban areas, colonial-era streets, the U.S.S. North Carolina, and the city parks. The following roads and highways that makeup this byway are: US 17, US 17 Bus., US 421, Third Street, Water Street, Front Street, Castle Street, Fifth Street and Lake Shore Drive.8miles
Coastal PlainLafayette's Tour173miles
Coastal PlainTar Heel Trace53miles
Coastal PlainEdenton-Windsor Loop87miles
Coastal PlainPerquimans Crossing3miles
Coastal PlainPamlico Scenic Byway127miles
Coastal PlainAlligator River RouteThe byway follows NC 94 north, from New Holland to Columbia, where it goes east along US 64 Bus. and US 64 to Manns Harbor and Roanoke Island. The byway features expansive wetlands, open farmlands, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Mattamuskeet.71miles
Coastal PlainRoanoke Voyages CorridorThe byway follows US 64 through Roanoke Island. It features Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (site of the first English settlement in North America), the North Carolina Aquarium, and Roanoke Island Festival Park.9miles

Other scenic byways and roads

RegionNameImageDescriptionmikmReferences
MountainLakeview DriveAlso known as the "Road to Nowhere," this Great Smoky Mountains National Park road follows along the north shore of the Tuckasegee River and provides unspoiled views of the Cheoah Mountains and access to various hiking and riding trails. 6.5miles
MountainMountain Waters Scenic BywayThis National Forest Scenic Byway traverses through the Nantahala National Forest, along US 64, Old Murphy Road (SR 1442), Wayah Road (SR 1310), US 19/US 74 and NC 28. The byway features two river gorges, hardwood forests and countryside vistas.64.5miles[11]
Coastal PlainHistoric Albemarle TourA tour route that encompasses 16 highway in northeastern North Carolina, with signage along routes identifying points of historical interest.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Morgan . Connie . North Carolina Department of Transportation . North Carolina Scenic Byway Program - 2015 Annual Report . PDF . March 3, 2016 . March 23, 2016.
  2. Web site: . Blue Ridge Parkway . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005083739/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/byways/2280 . dead . October 5, 2013 . November 28, 2014.
  3. Web site: United States Department of Transportation . Cherohala Skyway . https://archive.today/20141130074439/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/byways/2282 . dead . November 30, 2014 . November 28, 2014.
  4. Web site: United States Department of Transportation . Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005091912/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/byways/77229 . dead . October 5, 2013 . November 25, 2014.
  5. Web site: . Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway . PDF . October 2001 . November 25, 2014.
  6. Web site: United States Department of Transportation . Outer Banks Scenic Byway . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005085157/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/byways/12834 . dead . October 5, 2013 . November 28, 2014.
  7. Web site: North Carolina Department of Transportation . North Carolina Scenic Byways . PDF . June 28, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121020050049/http://ncdot.gov/download/travel/scenic_byways.pdf . October 20, 2012 . dead .
  8. NCDOT Announces North Carolina’s Newest Scenic Byway . April 18, 2016 . April 8, 2016 . North Carolina Department of Transportation . Raleigh.
  9. Web site: Blue Ridge National Heritage Area . Mt. Mitchell Scenic Drive Recognized as Scenic NC Byway . November 3, 2011 . March 22, 2016.
  10. Web site: North Carolina Byways . North Carolina Department of Transportation . February 7, 2024 .
  11. Web site: United States Forest Service . Mountain Waters Scenic Byway . PDF . May 2008 . November 26, 2014.