Areas
of Interest Along Byway Include:
CULLASAJA GORGE: makes up the
first 7.5 miles of this byway. Traveling through the beautiful Cullasaja Gorge, the
winding road parallels the Cullasaja River and offers spectacular scenic views of the
river and the waterfalls of Highlands on U.S. 64. A side road actually allows you to drive
behind Bridal Veil Falls, where the thin "veil" of water falls from 120 feet.
DRY FALLS: You'll find this
75-foot beauty 2.1 miles west of Highlands on U.S. 64. From the parking area, a short
paved trail leads you directly behind the waterfall.
CLIFFSIDE LAKE & VAN HOOK
GLADE: Cliffside Lake Recreation Area is 4.4 miles west of Highlands and then 1.5 miles
off U.S. 64. This area offers camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing and hiking.
WAYAH CREEK: West of Franklin, the
byway turns right on old U.S. 64, then left on SR 1310. SR 1310 (Wayah Road) parallels
much of the 6-mile stream. The creek is a good fishing stream, but most of the streamside
is private land and is posted "no trespassing". Along Wayah Creek is the
Arrowood Glade Picnic Area. Wayah Crest Picnic Area is at Wayah Gap.
WAYAH BALD: A side trip to Wayah
Bald is well worth the effort. From Wayah Gap, journey 1.3 miles up gravel Forest Road
(FR) 69 and see the Wilson Lick Ranger Station. Built about 1913, Wilson Lick was the
first ranger station in the Nantahala National Forest. Continue another 3.2 miles up FR 69
to Wayah Bald. Take the short, paved trail to the historic Wayah Bald Fire Tower. Built by
the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, the tower provides a great view of the
southern Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, Tennessee, and both Carolinas. You can picnic
nearby at the Wayah Bald Picnic Area. Two long-distance trails, the Appalachian Trail and
the Bartram Trail, cross the mountain at the tower.
NANTAHALA LAKE: Located about 6
miles west of Wayah Gap, this lake has 29 miles of shoreline and offers fishing and
boating. Boat ramps are available.
NANTAHALA RIVER: This mountain
river offers great trout fishing in its upper and lower reaches. The stretch of river
above the powerhouse has excellent catch-and-release fishing from spring until early
summer.
NANTAHALA
RIVER GORGE: The Nantahala River draws more than 250,000 boaters who enjoy whitewater
rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. Many businesses along the river offer both guided and
unguided raft rentals. Most rafting trips begin from the Nantahala River Launch Site and
float down the 8.5-mile whitewater run. About 2.75 miles downriver from this launch
site is the Ferebee Memorial Picnic Area, which provides another launch and takeout area.
At the lower end of the Nantahala River, a commercial-only takeout and a private boater
area are provided. From a wooden walkway, spectators get a thrilling view of the wild ride
over the final series of rapids, including Nantahala Falls. Nantahala River outfitters,
under Forest Service permit, can help plan trips to fit your skill level and provide any
equipment you might need.
FONTANA
LAKE: This lake offers great Bass and Pike fishing with 11,685 acres of water surface
and also provides recreational water activities such as boating, kneeboarding, swimming,
and water skiing. Construction of the 480 foot high Fontana Dam, which was completed in
1944 and is the highest Dam east of the Rockies, backed water for 30 miles to make up what
is now the Fontana Lake. Numerous boat ramps are available.
For More Information Call: (828)
526-3765 |
