11 Apr Road to Nowhere Tunnel in Bryson City, NC

Have you ever wanted to drive along a road that just abruptly ends and has no destination? Well, then I have the perfect road for you. Nicknamed the “Road to Nowhere” in Bryson City, North Carolina, this road was under construction in the mid to late 1900s. However, environmental concerns paused construction, and after much debate it was decided not to resume. The Road to Nowhere thus stands incomplete to this day, ending in a forest shortly after a tunnel. 

I visited the Road to Nowhere while on a cross-country road trip with some friends. If you are also planning a road trip, then let me relieve some of the stress of packing: Summer Road Trip Packing List and Winter Road Trip Packing List.

Contents:

1) Location of Road to Nowhere Tunnel

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

3) The Best Time to Visit

4) Quick Facts

5) Background

6) Hiking Trail Information

7) Recommended Items to Bring

1) Location of Road to Nowhere Tunnel

The Road to Nowhere tunnel is located in Bryson City, NC. For reference, it is only about 45 minutes west of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Another nearby attraction is Judaculla Rock, a rock with petroglyphs from the Cherokee Nation.

When do you know you have arrived? As soon as you reach the tunnel. There is a sign at the beginning of Lakeview Drive to point visitors in the right direction, and then simply follow along the road until the tunnel. Walk through the tunnel and then see the road end shortly after in the forest. 

Parking

Continue driving along Lakeview Drive until you see a small parking area on your right hand side. The parking area should be right before the tunnel.

Nearby Lodging

First, you can look for lodging options within Bryson City. Second, you can plan to stay within Great Smoky Mountains National Park and drive 45 minutes to the Road to Nowhere tunnel. 

Nearby Airports

The closest domestic airport is the McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is located two and a half hours northwest. However, the closest international airport is the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in Greer, South Carolina. It is located three hours southeast. Additionally, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located three and a half hours south in Atlanta, Georgia. 

You will need to either rent a car or utilize a ride share service from these airports as public transportation is not available. 

Standing above the Road to Nowhere Tunnel

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

First, there are no hours during which the road is closed. Feel free to visit at any time, though do bring a flashlight if you choose to visit when it is dark. Another option is to purchase a beanie with a headlight. I gifted the black Etsfmoa Unisex Beanie to my dad and uncle one Christmas, and they both loved it.   

Second, there is no fee to drive along the road. You can thus add this to your itinerary at no cost. Two other free (yet unique and interesting) attractions in North Carolina are Sliding Rock and the Cameron Barnstormer Murals. You can enjoy sliding down a natural rock waterslide as well as seeing murals painted on the sides of barns respectively. 

3) The Best Time to Visit – Road to Nowhere Tunnel

First, let me say that there is no bad season to visit the Road to Nowhere tunnel. You can visit in spring, summer, autumn, or winter. However, I will say that this area becomes quite beautiful in the autumn months as the leaves change color. If possible, try to plan a visit around October. 

Estimated Visit Time

First, plan to visit for 30 minutes if you only want to walk through the tunnel and see the abrupt end of the road. That gives you enough time to walk around, explore a bit, and take some pictures. 

Second, plan for two hours if you would like to explore around the tunnel and then continue on the 3.2 mile (~5.1 kilometer) loop trail. This trail actually goes along three different trailheads: Lakeshore Trail, Goldmine Trail, and Tunnel Bypass Trail. Additionally, it has approximately 450 feet (~137 meters) in elevation gain and takes an average hiker one and a half hours to complete. More information can be found in the sixth section below.

4) Quick Facts

1. The Road to Nowhere tunnel is located in Bryson City, North Carolina. Additionally, it is only 45 minutes outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

2. You can visit the road at any time of the day or night, and there is no fee to visit. 

3. Construction on the road eventually stopped due to environmental concerns. 

4. It is possible to see a black bear in the area and along the hiking trail. 

5. The hiking trail is a 3.2 mile (~5.1 kilometer) loop with approximately 450 feet (~137 meter) in elevation gain.

The Road to Nowhere Tunnel in North Carolina

5) Background – Road to Nowhere Tunnel

Get ready for an interesting backstory. First, I have to take us back to the 1940s. The Tennessee Valley Authority built the Fontana Dam during World War II. The dam supplied a vast amount of hydroelectric power, which benefited the aluminum companies providing materials for the war efforts. 

However, many people did not benefit from the creation of the Fontana Dam. Specifically, the flooding waters, which now form Fontana Lake, displaced multiple communities. Some people decided to move away themselves and others later received compensation for moving. 

Road Construction Began

How did Tennessee provide support and concessions to these displaced families and communities? They agreed to build a road from Bryson City to Deals Gap. This newly constructed road would provide an easy route for access to their previous home region, especially for visiting their lands and cemeteries. 

Road Construction Stopped

Nevertheless, the people never saw the fulfillment of that promise. Approximately seven miles of the road were built when construction stopped. Environmental concerns brought construction to a halt just past the tunnel at the current location known as the Road to Nowhere in Bryson City, North Carolina.

The construction exposed rock that had the potential to infect runoff waters. This environmental issue sparked many debates about the road’s construction, but eventually around 2010 they decided to discontinue construction indefinitely. The federal government agreed on a $52 million payment to the displaced communities due to the incomplete road. In terms of access to their lands and cemeteries, boats are available for them to travel across the lake on certain days. 

Having some fun on the road past the Road to Nowhere Tunnel

6) Hiking Trail Information

The hike is a 3.2 mile (~5.1 kilometer) loop through the forest. Additionally, it has approximately 450 feet (~137 meters) in elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the trail in an hour and a half. Furthermore, the hike is actually a combination of three different trails: Lakeshore Trail, Goldmine Trail, and Tunnel Bypass Trail. 

Are you an adventurous hiker? Then check out the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park as well as Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park. Both have iron rungs to help you make it to the top.

Route Description – Road to Nowhere Tunnel

The loop trail truly offers hikers the full experience as they hike along three different trailheads. First, park at the lot on the right side of the road before the tunnel and then walk through the tunnel. Bring a flashlight, especially if visiting on a cloudy day, for it can be quite dark in the middle of the tunnel.

Second, walk to the end of the road and begin the Lakeshore Trail – just follow the trailhead sign. The entire Lakeshore Trail is 35 miles (~56 kilometers), but thankfully hikers only continue for 0.5 miles (~0.8 kilometers) on Lakeshore Trail before continuing on to the next trail. Third, turn left onto Goldmine Trail at the trailhead sign. Be careful not to turn too early, for there is another trail before Goldmine called Tunnel Bypass – do not turn here for Tunnel Bypass if you would only like to complete the loop hike.

Fourth, after 0.75 miles (~1.2 kilometers) on Goldmine Trial, hikers pass by Fontana Lake. Dip your toes in the water if you need a refresher. Fifth, endure a steep mile long (~1.6 kilometer) hike. This is the most strenuous portion of the trail, however, so sing a song or do a dance once you have conquered it. Sixth, turn left onto the Tunnel Bypass trail. If you remember, we passed a sign for the Tunnel Bypass trail before as well. However, be sure you only turn onto Tunnel Bypass at this point for the loop hike. Seventh, hike for half a mile (~0.8 kilometers) and arrive back at the Lakeshore trailhead where you began the hike. 

The road continuing just past the tunnel

7) Recommended Items to Bring

For more specific recommendations, check out my travel essentials for women and travel accessories for a pop up camper.

1. Water bottle: Please please please be sure to bring water with you if you choose to hike the loop trail. I do not mean bring water and leave it in your car. Nope. Carry your water around with you as you complete the hike. Water is even more important if you are visiting in the summer, for the heat can make you become dehydrated real quick. I always carry around my Yeti water bottle.

2. Flashlight: Even if you visit during daylight hours, the tunnel can be quite dark in the middle. It is thus recommended you bring some sort of flashlight. For example, a unique type of headlight would be this one embedded within a beanie.

Hygiene

3. Sunscreen: While this might not be as important on a cloudy day, it will be on a day full of beautiful clear skies. Walking around even for just 30 minutes can lead to sunburn if you have fair skin.

4. Bug spray: Let’s be honest – mosquitos, gnats, and any other little type of fly can ruin an experience. You cannot truly enjoy an attraction if you are swatting away bugs from your face the whole time. Therefore, be prepared with bug spray or a mosquito repellent bracelet.

Hiking Items – Road to Nowhere Tunnel

5. Hiking shoes: A pair of hiking shoes will be incredibly helpful if you plan to hike along the loop trail.

6. Hiking poles: While hiking poles are not necessary since the trail is fairly short and flat, bring them along if you want a bit of extra support. 

7. Optional – crampons: These are only necessary in the winter months if there is snow or ice along the hiking trails. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes.

8. Bear spray: As a fair warning, multiple people have commented that they have either seen fresh bear droppings or an actual black bear along the loop trail. Therefore, be prepared with some bear spray. 

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Plan a trip to Utah to conquer Zion’s hardest hikes: The 3 Most Difficult Hikes in Zion National Park.

Or head to Montana for some stunning scenery: St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail in Glacier National Park.