We Felt Like We Were on Top of the World at This Epic Mountaintop Tower in North Carolina

Standing all alone on Wayah Bald in North Carolina, it felt like we were on top of the world! Traveling up a windy dirt road up the mountain, we discovered a stone fire tower that offered some of the most incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and beyond. This was an amazing little hidden gem, and the only reason we knew it existed was because of my adventurous grandfather, who walked the ground before us and suggested we take a visit.

It all started when my grandparents came to visit us from up north. We were sitting in our backyard one warm morning sipping coffee when my grandfather (who I call Papa) asked if I had ever been to Wayah Bald before. I thought it was a peculiar name, and I had not heard of this place before, so I asked him to tell me about it. He then pulled his phone out of his pocket and showed me a picture of him standing in front of the sign, pointing at his own bald head. We laughed at the joke, and it intrigued me. As a long-time adventurer, I knew that if he liked an area, then I would have to put it on my list. 

This was all on my mind as we pulled off the backcountry roads deep within the mountains to head up to see the fire tower. The primitive roads were well maintained but I could see it being an issue after a big rainstorm. After what seemed like forever of acceding miles on the dirt road we finally arrived at the top unscathed and surprised to have the whole area to ourselves. 

I was thankful for the long road up the mountain because it saved us from an arduous hike to the peak. The whole mountainside was filled with lush greenery and beautiful paved pathways lined with sweet-smelling flowers. We started the short walk to the tower and passed busy bees pollinating the blossoms and enjoyed the picture-perfect views through the trees. 

The short little walk up the paved path led us right to the stone fire tower. This amazing structure is unlike any of the other fire towers I have seen around the Blue Ridge Mountains. Most of them are made of wood and look a little sketchy to climb, but this one is made of solid stone, concrete, and rock. It reminded me of a castle and was beautiful yet had an abandoned feel to it. This, of course, excited me even more as I explored the graffiti-stained interior and climbed the stairs for a better view.

Once on top of the tower, the view was simply breathtaking. I love the Blue Ridge Mountains, enjoy views from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and hike many trails in the forested beauty. This offered yet another great perspective as we took in the picturesque mountain layers all hazy with that famous blue hue. There was a sign that identified each peak where we could even see the Smokies from this tower. As I stood there soaking in the scenery I was thankful for Papa who suggested this amazing spot. 

Wayah Bald in North Carolina is an amazing sight to see. I want to be just like Papa was to me and highlight something that is worth the drive next time you find yourself exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains. To help you plan a trip to this mountaintop experience, make sure to download the Wayah Bald map on AllTrails and use the directions on the app to get to the right location. There are little to no signs, so having a GPS helps tremendously. Check out this Adventuring in the Moment video to see the glorious scenery.

Once you are done with this little excursion head back down and make sure to fully explore the Highlands. A small town in North Carolina that is filled with elevated charm.