Nestled in the beautiful Bryson City area, The Road to Nowhere offers a unique and scenic journey into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Officially known as Lakeview Drive, this six-mile highway concludes at the entrance of a tunnel, earning its local moniker, “The Road to Nowhere — A Broken Promise,” from the residents of Swain County.
Whether you choose to drive or bike, Lakeview Drive is an experience you shouldn’t miss, especially during the vibrant fall season. As you travel, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Fontana Lake and access to various hiking trails. About half a mile before the tunnel, the Noland Creek Trail invites adventurers for hiking and trout fishing.
Venturing through the tunnel, which stretches a quarter-mile, leads you to several trails, including the Goldmine Loop, Forney Creek, and Lakeshore Trail. These trails are ideal for hiking, and Forney Creek is known for excellent trout fishing. A flashlight is recommended for the tunnel walk, and be mindful of horseback riders who also use this route.
Currently, roadwork is underway to improve Lakeview Drive, with completion expected in the spring. This project involves rehabilitating parking areas, guardrails, and other infrastructure to ensure a smoother journey once finished. Visitors should anticipate single-lane closures and limited parking while construction equipment and crews are present.
The rehabilitation project, funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, will cost approximately $15.7 million. It includes reconstructing the 6.5-mile road, replacing guardrails, enhancing parking facilities, updating road signs, and improving drainage systems.
To park within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a parking tag is required. These tags cater to all vehicle sizes and types and are available in three durations:
Tags can be purchased online or on-site. However, they are not required for motorists passing through, those parking for less than 15 minutes, or while parked at designated campsites.
Embark on this memorable journey along The Road to Nowhere, where natural beauty and historical intrigue await. Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or simply taking in the sights, this scenic highway promises an adventure to remember.
In the 1930s and 1940s, the scenic landscape of Swain County underwent a dramatic transformation. The Federal Government acquired the majority of privately-owned land in this region to establish Fontana Lake and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The creation of Fontana Lake was pivotal, as it served as a reservoir for Fontana Dam. This dam was constructed as part of a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) project during World War II. The electricity generated was crucial for the ALCOA aluminum plants in Tennessee and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Manhattan Project.
The establishment of Fontana Lake and the national park necessitated the relocation of hundreds of families. These families had lived in small Smoky Mountain communities for generations. The creation of the park meant their homes, along with Old Highway 288—the road connecting these communities—were submerged beneath the waters of Fontana Lake.
In response to the loss of Old Highway 288, the Federal Government pledged to construct a new road. This road, Lakeview Drive, was planned to stretch along the north shore of Fontana Lake, connecting Bryson City to Fontana, approximately 30 miles west. Importantly, it was intended to provide displaced residents with access to their family cemeteries, where their ancestors were buried.
However, Lakeview Drive encountered significant environmental challenges. Construction was halted, and ultimately, the environmental concerns were deemed too costly to resolve. Consequently, the road ended abruptly at a tunnel, about six miles into the park. With construction halted indefinitely, the citizens of Swain County affectionately dubbed the unfinished road “The Road to Nowhere.”
“The Road to Nowhere” stands as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the communities of Swain County. It symbolizes promises unfulfilled and the enduring connection of people to their ancestral lands. Today, it serves not only as a testament to a significant historical period but also as a place of reflection for visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.