It’s really up to you, and what you want to do. The Road to Nowhere can be an all-day adventure or just an hour or two. There is a small parking section just outside the tunnel. It’s a really interesting read, so I’d be sure to check out the history on the Bryson City Website.įrom Bryson City, take Everet street until it turns into Lakeshore Drive and ends. In 2010 a legal settlement was reached in regards to The Road to Nowhere. However, when an environmental issue arose all construction stopped and the citizens named the road “The Road to Nowhere” The government was to replace the road and stretch from Bryson City to Fontana. During World War II hundreds of people in these communities were forced out of their homes and Old Highway 288 became buried under Fontana Lake. In short, back in the 1930’s and 40’s some of Swain County’s private land was given to the Federal Government. The best information I’ve found about the history of the Road to Nowhere can be found on this website.

On our most recent trip to Bryson City, we recreated the photo and included our girls. Shortly after we were married, we took this epic photo (which is printed on a canvas in our bedroom). To my family, it has become a must-do on each trip to Western North Carolina. To locals, it is a memory of broken promises dating back to World War II. Just beyond Swain County high school in Bryson City, North Carolina, you will find “The Road to Nowhere”.

The road to nowhere bryson city nc