Get directions. In the midst of World War II, while many Swain and Graham County NC men were fighting for their country, the US Government and the Tennessee Valley Authority decided to build a hydroelectric power dam which would flood 11,000 acres of North Carolina land. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. The road was started in 1945 out in Bryson City, NC. https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/yes-there-is-a-real- The tunnel was so much larger than I expected! T here is a national landmark about half an hour from my home called The Road to Nowhere. The editors at RoadsideAmerica.com assign a rating to each attraction. Road to Nowhere [1 - 499] Everett St Bryson City NC 28713. Read on for the most amazing things to do in Bryson City, NC. Only time will tell if a promise made almost 60 years ago can or will be kept, but the old-timers born and raised in this area have been offered a small ray of hope and they remain optimistic. In 1943 the Government did pay approximately $400,000 to the State of North Carolina, which represented the principle which Swain County then owed in outstanding bonds, but Swain County did not actually see any of this money. Read more. It provides spectacular views of Fontana Lake and the Appalachian Mountains and was originally named “Lakeview Drive”, but since the road was never completed (as the government promised) residents, who were forced to leave their homes in order for Fontana Dam to be built, gave it the name of “The Road To Nowhere”. However, when you do reach the end of the tunnel there are various hiking trails that lead off in to the park and make for great adventures. Don’t go on a Sunday though because you won’t be able to experiment with the echoes of your voice because there was around 150 people apart of a church choir in there. The Story Behind it All…. Many of the people, who were forced to leave their homes, are still waiting for the government to build the road to their ancestral cemeteries as promised and they were extended an olive branch, so to speak, in October 2000 when US Representative, Charles Taylor and Senator, Jesse Helms secured federal funding of $16 million toward the construction of the North Shore Road Project. Due to the spread of COVID-19, some points of interest may be closed or have restrictions. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. 1 Reviews (828) 488-3681 Website. Super cool!! categorized from "Mildly Interesting" to "The Best," were determined using a variety of factors and criteria. All rights reserved. Not busy and allows for stops for a photo op or two. Discover The Road to Nowhere in Bryson City, North Carolina: This road in the Great Smoky Mountains was supposed to assuage a displaced community, but ended up a $52 million dead end. Staying in Bryson City for a few day at Deep Creek Campground. It’s a beautiful drive and a living example of the futile nature of even the best laid plans. We pulled over along the way about 7-8 miles on way to the tunnel. Ratings are subject to the mood swings of the editors and may change. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. Bryson City, Get directions, reviews and information for Road to Nowhere in Bryson City, NC. Please stay safe and call ahead to get the latest information. Worth it to tell you're kids you're going nowhere. Bryson City, NC - “The Road To Nowhere”, as most local residents call it, is a 6-mile scenic drive into the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where it dead-ends. Be sure and take a flashlight if you want to see all of the unique artwork sprayed throughout the tunnel walls. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries A little history so you know why I think this stuff happened to me. The Road to Nowhere near Bryson City is a quarter-mile tunnel and its story starts with the creation of Fontana Dam, the tallest dam in the Eastern United States, and its corresponding lake.. Fontana Dam and Lake’s construction led to the displacement of an entire community and this road was originally planned to allow people access to ancestral cemeteries and villages. North Carolina You might also like. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. The vistas from the road are beautiful. The road would've gone directly through a burial mound, so the Cherokee Chief along with the residents of the reservation had construction stopped. Only saw 4 cars there while we were exploring the area. The top things to do on an East Coast road trip, The top things to do on a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip, The top things to do on an I-75 road trip. What lies beyond still whispers its tales of sordid beginnings, loss, and betrayal. The Road to Nowhere is a real road in Bryson City, NC, and contrary to its name, it most definitely leads to somewhere amazing. https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/yes-there-is-a-real- This road was originally to be built to provide the many residents, who gave up their land for the Fontana Dam project, access to their ancestral gravesites. The road to Nowhere takes you to the tunnel to nowhere which takes you to a very nice hiking trail. The Road to Nowhere remains a popular attraction for visitors to Bryson City with access to hiking trails, including the 33.5 mile Lakeshore Trail, and beautiful views along the way. 8899 New Fontana Rd, Bryson City, North Carolina. Not overly exciting but a unique detour! Did this one afternoon and I am so glad we did. Bryson City sits on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, near the Smoky Mountains, just 70 miles from Asheville.Simply put, this a quaint and adorable mountain town with a lot to offer.. Look deeper and you’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Bryson City, including world-class whitewater rafting, scenic train rides, great breweries, amazing waterfalls, and much more. Tunnel at end was interesting. Bryson City, NC - “The Road To Nowhere”, as most local residents call it, is a 6-mile scenic drive into the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where it dead-ends. This was a beautiful scenic drive. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! © Copyright 1996-2021 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. Be the first to add a review to the The Road to Nowhere. 1 review of Road to Nowhere "Located just 6 miles from downtown Bryson City, it is well Worth the drive out to see the tunnel. Users can filter places based on ratings. 1963 thru 1970 - the park service constructs 6 miles of the proposed North Shore Unassumingly nestled just outside of Bryson City, North Carolina, on what’s commonly known as the “quiet side” of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is the “Road to Nowhere” tunnel. Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers mobile app, your trips will instantly auto-sync over... Ready for navigation and good times! You can see the mountains and the Tuskegee River I didn't have time to hike all the way through or do any of the trails. Approximately 6 miles of the road, including a bridge and a 1,200-foot tunnel (seen above), were completed by the end of 1969, but the remaining 26 miles was never finished. Very pretty and quiet. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . I may go back, but the trails are not dog friendly. These people received no relocation assistance from the TVA or the government and the ones who refused to sell, had their land condemned and taken. The 11,685 acre lake would displace over 1300 families in addition to submerging many parts of 8899 New Fontana Rd, The TVA bought or took 67,800 acres of land from Graham and Swain Counties leaving 1,300 families homeless, some of which were widows with children, some who were elderly and many of which had never lived anywhere else. Road to Nowhere - 8899 New Fontana Rd, Bryson City, North Carolina. Cork & Bean. The government in order to appease these people promised two things: First, to reimburse Swain County for Hwy 288, which would be flooded when the lake was filled, and second to build a road around the park to give access to the more than 28 cemeteries that were left behind when these people were forced from their land. Discover the best things to do for a magical trip into the heart of the Smoky Mountains and get ready to fall under the spell of this North Carolinian gem. On the map, it is called Lakeview Drive, but to the citizens of Swain County it is “The Road to Nowhere — A Broken Promise”. road to nowhere bryson city • road to nowhere bryson city photos • road to nowhere bryson city location • ... Bryson City, NC United States. What seemed a little surreal to us was that the road to the tunnel, more officially known as Lake View Dr. E., looks like any other winding, twisting road that snakes thro… Historical Landmark in Bryson City POB 509, Lakeview Drive, Bryson City, NC Get Quote Call (828) 488-3681 Get directions WhatsApp (828) 488-3681 Message (828) 488-3681 Contact Us Find Table Make Appointment Place Order View Menu Just north of Bryson City, is a scenic mountain highway that takes you eight miles into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends at the mouth of a tunnel. See More. Low online rates for motels, hotels, inns: Charlotte, Asheville, Cherokee, Jacksonville, Greensboro, Wilmington, Kill Devil Hills, Raleigh, Durham, Boone, Fayetteville, Hickory. The road is popular with tourists as it is a scenic mountain highway that leads directly to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends at a tunnel that you can access by foot. However, Bryson City’s history and identity provide attractions filled with culture, as well. In spite of the broken promise, the Road to Nowhere is a beautiful drive and offers a variety of attractions worth checking out. One of the most popular sites along this road is the abandoned tunnel at the end of it, almost a 1/4 mile in length this tunnel will leave you in the dark wondering if you will ever reach that light or not. USA. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! Bryson City is located at 35°25′37″N 83°26′52″W / 35.42694°N 83.44778°W / 35.42694; -83.44778 (35.426982, -83.447681), just west of the confluence of the Tuckasegee River, which flows westward from its source in the mountains to the east, and Deep Creek, which flows south from its source near Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains. Where to find the weirdest museums in the U.S. A road trip along New York state's Women's Heritage Trail, California's Asian American heritage trail, Things to Do on a Yellowstone National Park RV Road Trip, The ultimate guide to Mammoth Cave National Park. The road was very well maintained and the scenery was unbelievable. Ratings, Great hiking trails. Not crowded with people.