Autumn in Western North Carolina is a fantastic time of year. Our region is one of the most popular places in the country to experience fall foliage and crisp, cool weather. Within an hour’s drive in any direction from Waynesville, the elevation changes so much that there isn’t a bad time to visit from mid-September through early November. There’s always somewhere you can drive to see fantastic scenery and fall color, and there are also an abundance of scenic roads and byways radiating from Waynesville in all directions.
We’ve put together a list of six of our favorite scenic drives in the area to help you plan for a fabulous fall trip to Western NC. Grab your coziest sweater or sweatshirt, roll down the windows, and get ready to cruise through our mountain paradise!
Lake Junaluska & Cataloochee Valley
Starting at the Inn, head through town to Russ Avenue and head north towards Maggie Valley. Head over to Lake Junaluska and loop around for fantastic views. Don’t forget to head on up to The Cross overlook for one of the best views in the area. After finishing the loop, head back down to Route 19 and travel towards Maggie Valley. Take a right at 276 North, take Cove Creek Road, and follow all the way to the Cataloochee Valley area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tons of hiking trails, big, beautiful fields with mountain backdrops, and the potential to see majestic elk herds as well. The roads to Cataloochee are curvy, but the reward at the end is worth it!
Maggie Valley, Cherokee & Oconoluftee Loop
Another great way to experience fall foliage in our area is a loop through Maggie Valley to Cherokee/Oconaluftee area and back to Waynesville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Similar to the Cataloochee route above, instead of heading north on 276, keep going on Route 19 and drive through Maggie Valley. On the way, maybe stop for lunch at the Twisted Spoke, a great spot with scenic views. After lunch, stop by the newly renovated access trail to Soco Falls, the closest waterfall to the Inn. Keep going on Route 19 all the way to Cherokee and head to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Enjoy the short river trail, where you will likely see more elk! Heading back, get on the Blue Ridge Parkway heading back towards Waynesville, and make sure to stop at Waterrock Knob, perhaps our favorite scenic area in the region!
Forest Heritage Scenic Byway
From Main Street in Waynesville, hop on NC 276 towards Brevard by taking Pigeon Street near the Gateway to the Smokies Arch. This scenic byway takes you through the town of Cruso and follows the Pigeon River. The roads heading up to the crest of the Blue Ridge Parkway are quite windy, but take your time and enjoy the scenery. For this trip, instead of hopping on the BRP, you’ll cross it and head down the mountains towards Brevard. Along the way, you can stop at Looking Glass Falls, Moore Cove Falls, the Cradle of Forestry, Pink Beds, and so many more great hiking areas. To loop back to Waynesville, take 64 West through Brevard and then 215 North. This is a great foliage trail, as you meander through many different elevations, along rivers, and end up going through the Lake Logan area near Waynesville.
Mountain Waters Scenic Byway
Heading west from Waynesville is another longer route that takes you to Highlands and Franklin and back to the Inn through Bryson City and Maggie Valley. From 23/74, exit at Sylva and head towards Cullowhee (home of Western Carolina University). Take route 107 past Lake Glenville (if you have time, High Falls in this area is spectacular!). Hop on 64 west at Cashiers (pronounced Cash-ers) and drive through Highlands. One of the best waterfalls in the region, Dry Falls, is near Highlands, which you can walk completely behind; definitely worth seeing! In Franklin, near the Cullasaja Gorge, take Route 28 north to continue to the Nantahala Gorge region. To head back to Waynesville, take Route 74 east and drive through Bryson City to the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway to Waynesville.
Blue Ridge Parkway – Waynesville to Asheville
Of course, a fall trip to the mountains of Western North Carolina wouldn’t be complete without traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway from Waynesville to Asheville. We might be biased, but this is one of the most beautiful sections of the Parkway, with so many stunning overlooks and hiking trails. The entrance to the Parkway is only 7 miles from the Inn. Along the route to Asheville, you can stop at Cowee Mountain Overlook, Devil’s Courthouse, Graveyard Fields, Mt. Pisgah, and Black Balsam Knob. At the exit to the Parkway near Asheville, you can visit the NC Arboretum, which has wonderful walking trails and beautiful scenery, or stop by the Biltmore Estate and take a tour! Head back to Waynesville on I-40.
Kuwohi (formerly Clingman’s Dome) and Back
To enjoy the splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the fall, we recommend taking the Great Smoky Mountain Expressway west and taking 441 north through Cherokee to the GSMNP. This road goes all the way through to the Tennessee side of the park, but we recommend taking a left at Newfound Gap and heading up to Kuwohi (formerly Clingman’s Dome). This is one of the most popular areas of the GSMNP, so it does get quite busy, but the view from the viewing platform is fabulous, especially in the fall. Head to Kuwohi and then backtrack the same route back to Waynesville for a spectacular driving trip.
As you can see, there are so many great options for scenic driving routes all around Waynesville. There’s nothing better than soothing your soul with the spectacular colors, fresh air, and cool temperatures of the Appalachian mountains and forests. We hope we’ve provided some great ways to spend the day here in the fall, and we can’t wait to host you for your autumn adventures!
–Your Innkeepers,
Brenda and Peter
