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North Carolina Scenic Byways
North Carolina Scenic Byways
	Highway marker
System information
Length	2,300 mi (3,700 km)
Formed	March 1990
Highway names
Interstates	Interstate X (I-X)
US Highways	US Highway X (US X)
State	North Carolina Highway X (NC X)
System links
	North Carolina Highway System; Interstate; US; State; Scenic;

The North Carolina Scenic Byways consists of roads in the state of North Carolina that travel through areas of scenic, historic, and cultural significance. Launched in March 1990, the scenic byway program has presently 59 designated byways, including three national scenic byways and one all American road, a total of 2,300 miles (3,700 km). The intent of this system is to provide travelers with a safe and interesting alternate route.^[1]

National scenic byways

Region	Name	Description	mi	km	References
Mountain	Blue Ridge Parkway	Considered the original scenic byway, the parkway is recognized as an "All American Road" for its spectacular mountain and valley vistas, waterfalls, and colorful flower and foliage displays. Various activities are available along the route and five campgrounds for overnight visitors. The highest point is at Richland-Balsam Gap at 6,053 feet (1,845 m).	242.0	389.5	^[2]
Mountain	Cherohala Skyway	Traversing along NC 143, from the Tennessee state line to Santeetlah Gap, in the Nantahala National Forest. The skyway features cultural heritage of the Cherokee tribe and early settlers in a grand forest environment in the Appalachian Mountains.	17.8	28.6	^[3]
Mountain	Forest Heritage Scenic Byway	Traversing along US 276, this scenic byway through the Pisgah National Forest features the Cradle of Forestry, waterfalls, trails and scenic vistas. The longer 76.7-mile (123.4 km) National Forest Scenic Byway completes a loop via NC 28 and US 64, connecting Lake Logan and the town of Brevard.	17.6	28.3	^[4]^[5]
Coastal Plain	Outer Banks Scenic Byway	Traversing along US 70 and NC 12, the byway connects from the mainland to the barrier islands, via ferry. Both the Cape Lookout National Seashore and Cape Hatteras National Seashore are along its route, as well as national wildlife refuges, tourist beaches, lighthouses and unique maritime culture and historical sites.	137.8	221.8	^[6]

State scenic byways

Region	Name	Description	mi	km	References
Mountain	Waterfall Byway	Follows Harshaw Road (SR 1558), Brasstown Road (SR 1134), Old US 64 (SR 1100), Settawig Road (SR 1135) and US 64. Named for the 200 waterfalls that surround the route, it passes by notable sites including the Cullasaja Gorge, Highlands, Cashiers and Lake Toxaway. Tractor-Trailers are prohibited on this road and it is also not recommended for recreational vehicles or buses.	98.0	157.7	^[7]
Mountain	Nantahala Byway	The byway traverses between Marble and Whittier, along US 19/US 74/US 129. It is known for its scenic views of the Nantahala Gorge, The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, and the whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River.	43.0	69.2	^[7]
Mountain	Indian Lakes Scenic Byway	Follows US 129, from Topton to Deals Gap, where it continues along NC 28 to Almond. The byway provide scenic views along the banks of the Nantahala River, Little Tennessee River, and Cheoah River. It also features the Fontana Dam, Cheoah Dam, Santeetlah Dam, the grave of Junaluska and the Tail of the Dragon. This route is not recommended for recreational vehicles or buses.	60.0	96.6	^[7]
Mountain	Whitewater Way	NC 281	9.0	14.5	^[7]
Mountain	Appalachian Medley	US 25 / US 70 / NC 209 / NC 213	45.0	72.4	^[7]
Mountain	Big Horse Creek Scenic Byway	NC 194	18.0	29.0	^[8]
Mountain	French Broad Overview	US 25 Bus. / US 70 Bus. / NC 251	17.0	27.4	^[7]
Mountain	Historic Flat Rock Scenic Byway	The byway is located along NC 225, between Pinnacle Mountain Road (SR 1114) and Highland Lake Road (SR 1783), in the Flat Rock area. It is noted for its views of nearby Glassy and McAlpin mountains and access to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, the Flat Rock Playhouse and the Flat Rock Historic District.	8.3	13.4	^[7]
Mountain	Drovers Road	US 74A	16.5	26.6	^[7]
Mountain	Black Mountain Rag	Follows US 64, from Edneyville to Lake Lure and NC 9, from Bat Cave to Black Mountain. The byway connects Chimney Rock State Park, Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. It is named after old fiddle tune, the Black Mountain Rag, for it's full of twists, turns, ups and downs. This byway is not recommended for recreational vehicles or buses.	31.0	49.9	^[7]
Mountain	Pacolet River Byway	US 176	10.0	16.1	^[7]
Mountain	South Mountain Scenery	NC 226	33.0	53.1	^[7]
Mountain	Mission Crossing	NC 194	17.0	27.4	^[7]
Mountain	Mount Mitchell Scenic Drive	Starting at the I-26 interchange (exit 9), the byway follows US 19 in Madison County and US 19E in Yancey County. In Micaville, it switches onto NC 80 and goes through the Toe River valley. Connecting at the Blue Ridge Parkway, travelers continue south until reaching NC 128, where it makes its final ascent to the top of Mount Mitchell. The byway features mountain scenic vistas and local culture experience in Celo and Burnsville.	52.0	83.7	^[7]^[9]
Mountain	Little Parkway	US 221	18.0	29.0	^[7]
Mountain	New River Valley Byway	NC 88 / NC 194	35.0	56.3	^[7]
Mountain	I-26 Scenic Highway	The byway traverses between Tennessee state line and Exit 9 (US 19/US 23A), near Mars Hill, along I-26/US 23. The byway is known for its unspoiled views of the North Carolina Mountains.	9.0	14.5	^[7]
Mountain	U.S. 421 Scenic Byway	Follows US 221 and US 421 from the Blue Ridge Parkway, in Deep Gap, to the South Fork New River, near Boone. The byway features panoramic views of Snake Mountain and Elk Knob, as well as the forests, horse/cattle farms, and Fraser Fir Christmas Tree farms.	8.0	12.9	^[7]
Mountain	Pisgah Loop Scenic Byway	The loop byway traverses along NC 181, NC 183, Old NC Highway 105 (SR 1238), NC 126 and Fish Hatchery Road (SR 1254/SR 1240). The byway is noted its history as the same route the Kirk's Raiders used to make a successful attack on Confederate Army Camp Vance, outside Morganton, during the Civil War. It is also noted for scenic views of the surrounding mountains and access to various trails along the route. This byway is not recommended for recreational vehicles or buses; four-wheel drive is recommended for unpaved portions of the loop.	47.0	75.6	^[7]
Mountain	Smoky Mountain Scenic Byway	The byway is located along US 441 (Newfound Gap Road), between the Blue Ridge Parkway, in Ravensford, and the Tennessee state line, at Newfound Gap. Various overlooks dot along the byway, with unique attractions nearby including Kuwohi, Oconaluftee Archaeological District and area trails.	16.5	26.6	^[7]
Mountain	Upper Yadkin Way	The byway traverses along NC 268 between US 321 and W.Kerr Scott Reservoir, in an area known as Happy Valley. Near Ferguson is the grave of Tom Dula, remembered in the folk song "Tom Dooley."	25.0	40.2	^[7]
Mountain	Yadkin Valley Scenic Byway	The byway connects various vineyards and wineries in the area, starting from downtown Elkin and making a loop along US 21, Swan Creek Road, Old US 421, Rockford Road, Zephyr Road and Springs Road.	65.0	104.6	^[7]
Piedmont	McAuley Road Scenic Byway	Protected along lands controlled by the Catawba Lands Conservancy, the road provides one of the last vestiges of rural vistas of what once dominated Mecklenburg County till the mid-20th century.	1.5	2.4	^[10]
Piedmont	Hanging Rock Scenic Byway	NC 66 / NC 89	38.0	61.2	^[7]
Piedmont	Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway	The byway is located along US 70, between I-40 and US 70 Bus. It features rolling hills and open pastures peppered with woodlands.	10.7	17.2	^[7]
Piedmont	Colonial Heritage Byway	US 70 Bus. / NC 57 / NC 62 / NC 86 / NC 150 / NC 751	92.0	148.1	^[7]
Piedmont	Football Road		37.0	59.5	^[7]
Piedmont	Crowders Mountain Drive	NC 161	8.0	12.9	^[7]
Piedmont	Mill Bridge Scenic Byway	NC 150	14.0	22.5	^[7]
Piedmont	Uwharrie Scenic Road	NC 49	50.0	80.5	^[7]
Piedmont	Rolling Kansas Byway		9.0	14.5	^[7]
Piedmont	Pee Dee Valley Drive	NC 24 / NC 27 / NC 73	14.0	22.5	^[7]
Piedmont	Grassy Island Crossing	NC 109	26.0	41.8	^[7]
Piedmont	Sandhills Scenic Drive	NC 24 / NC 27 / NC 73	46.0	74.0	^[7]
Piedmont	Birkhead Wilderness Route		14.0	22.5	^[7]
Piedmont	Flint Hill Ramble		5.0	8.0	^[7]
Piedmont	Indian Heritage Trail	US 220 / NC 73	18.0	29.0	^[7]
Piedmont	Pottery Road	Located along NC 705, between Eagle Springs and Seagrove. The byway traverses through an area where seven families from Staffordshire, the pottery center of England, settled. Their descendants continue to make both traditional and modern pottery forms and nearly 80 potteries can be found in the vicinity of the byway.	43.0	69.2	^[7]
Piedmont	Devil's Stompin' Ground Road	NC 902	43.0	69.2	^[7]
Piedmont	North Durham Country Byway		27.0	43.5	^[7]
Piedmont	Averasboro Battlefield Scenic Byway	NC 82	4.7	7.6	^[7]
Piedmont	Scots-Welsh Heritage Byway	The byway traverses along historic trade roads used by American Indians and early backcountry pioneers. The King of England gave much of the land along this byway to 18th century Scotch-Welsh settlers; much of the land surrounding this byway still used today for farming by those same decedents. Access to the byway is via I-40 at Exit 261 (Hillsborough) and onto Old NC 86. Following south on Old NC 86, cross over New Hope Creek and turn right onto Arthur Minnis Road (SR 1129), continue until Orange Grove Road (SR 1006) and take left, take left onto Dairyland Road (SR 1104), then left again onto Rocky Ridge Road. Once returning to Arthor Minnis Road and left back onto Old NC 86, the byway ends.	10.0	16.1	^[7]
Coastal Plain	Blue-Gray Scenic Byway	NC 58	82.0	132.0	^[7]
Coastal Plain	Meteor Lakes Byway	NC 242	39.0	62.8	^[7]
Coastal Plain	Green Swamp Byway	NC 211	53.0	85.3	^[7]
Coastal Plain	Brunswick Town Road	The byway begins at the intersection of NC 133 and Plantation Road (SR 1529), near Southport, and follows Plantation Road to Tryon Palace Road (SR 1533) and follow it to Brunswick Town State Historic Site. This byway showcases historical Brunswick County.	3.0	4.8	^[7]
Coastal Plain	Cape Fear Historic Byway	Located in downtown Wilmington, it features scenic urban areas, colonial-era streets, the U.S.S. North Carolina, and the city parks. The following roads and highways that makeup this byway are: US 17, US 17 Bus., US 421, Third Street, Water Street, Front Street, Castle Street, Fifth Street and Lake Shore Drive.	8.0	12.9	^[7]
Coastal Plain	Lafayette's Tour	US 13 / US 158 / US 258 / NC 43 / NC 58 / NC 125 / NC 137 / NC 561 / NC 903	173.0	278.4	^[7]
Coastal Plain	Tar Heel Trace	NC 42 / NC 124 / NC 125 / NC 142	53.0	85.3	^[7]
Coastal Plain	Edenton-Windsor Loop	US 13 / US 17 / US 13 Bus. / NC 32 / NC 45 / NC 308	87.0	140.0	^[7]
Coastal Plain	Perquimans Crossing	US 17 Bus. / NC 37	3.0	4.8	^[7]
Coastal Plain	Pamlico Scenic Byway	US 264 / NC 32 / NC 45 / NC 92 / NC 99	127.0	204.4	^[7]
Coastal Plain	Alligator River Route	The byway follows NC 94 north, from New Holland to Columbia, where it goes east along US 64 Bus. and US 64 to Manns Harbor and Roanoke Island. The byway features expansive wetlands, open farmlands, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Mattamuskeet.	71.0	114.3	^[7]
Coastal Plain	Roanoke Voyages Corridor	The byway follows US 64 through Roanoke Island. It features Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (site of the first English settlement in North America), the North Carolina Aquarium, and Roanoke Island Festival Park.	9.0	14.5	^[7]

Other scenic byways and roads

Region	Name	Description	mi	km	References
Mountain	Lakeview Drive	Also known as the "Road to Nowhere," this Great Smoky Mountains National Park road follows along the north shore of the Tuckasegee River and provides unspoiled views of the Cheoah Mountains and access to various hiking and riding trails.	6.5	10.5
Mountain	Mountain Waters Scenic Byway	This National Forest Scenic Byway traverses through the Nantahala National Forest, along US 64, Old Murphy Road (SR 1442), Wayah Road (SR 1310), US 19/US 74 and NC 28. The byway features two river gorges, hardwood forests and countryside vistas.	64.5	103.8	^[11]
Coastal Plain	Historic Albemarle Tour	A tour route that encompasses 16 highway in northeastern North Carolina, with signage along routes identifying points of historical interest.

References

^ ^a ^b Morgan, Connie (March 3, 2016). North Carolina Scenic Byway Program - 2015 Annual Report (PDF) (Report). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
^ "Blue Ridge Parkway". United States Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
^ "Cherohala Skyway". United States Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on November 30, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
^ "Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway". United States Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
^ "Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway" (PDF). United States Forest Service. October 2001. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
^ "Outer Banks Scenic Byway". United States Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az "North Carolina Scenic Byways" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
^ "NCDOT Announces North Carolina's Newest Scenic Byway" (Press release). Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation. April 8, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
^ "Mt. Mitchell Scenic Drive Recognized as Scenic NC Byway". Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. November 3, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
^ "North Carolina Byways". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
^ "Mountain Waters Scenic Byway" (PDF). United States Forest Service. May 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2014.