Try water sports, angling, or just enjoy serene views of the Cullasaja River waterfalls, and steep gorge, whitewater rafting, kayaking, and canoeing below.
This winding, 61-mile drive through the Nantahala National Forest is custom fit for the water sport angler and enthusiast. Starting in Highlands on U.S. 64, this byway passes through the eye-popping beauty of the Cullasaja Gorge, which runs parallel with the Cullasaja River. Enjoy serene panoramas of the clear river and its veil-like waterfalls.
In the mood for a little fishing, camping, picnicking, swimming, and hiking? Stop off at the Van Hook Glade and the Cliffside Lake Recreation Area campgrounds, just off U.S. 64, for some fun on foot.
The route then takes a right at old U.S. 64, then a left onto Route 1310 (or Wayah Road) along the Wayah Creek, where the watersport actions really start to heat up. Start off with some stream fishing in Wayah Creek and then head up to Nantahala Lake with its 20-plus miles of shoreline for some pleasurable fishing and boating. But that’s just a warm up for the Nantahala River Gorge, which draws some 250,000 boaters who enjoy top notch whitewater rafting, canoeing, and kayaking.
The Nantahala River outfitters can guide you in planning a trip and providing equipment. For those not interested in getting wet, there is a wooden walkway over the ravine that provides a hair-raising view of the participants below.
Starting Point:
Highlands, NC
Distance of Drive:
61 miles
Must Eat:
Lakeside Restaurant
531 Smallwood Avenue, Highlands, NC 28741
Phone: 828-526-9419
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Summer
Points of Interest on Drive:
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area
Cullasaja River
Cullasaja Gorge
Nantahala National Forest
Arrowood Glade Picnic Area
Wayah Gap
Appalachian hardwood forest
Tagged with: North Carolina • waterfalls
Filed under: Best Road Trips