Forest Heritage Byway Is A Road You Didn't Know Existed But Is Perfect For A Scenic Drive In North Carolina
By Robin Jarvis
|
Published November 07, 2021
Scenic highways abound in the Tar Heel State. From the mountains to the coast, there is a lot to see, admire, and love about what’s on the other side of your windshield while you’re driving through North Carolina. One of our most scenic drives flies mostly under the radar. Afterall, we are home to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Cherohala Skyway , which get a lot of attention from visitors and locals alike. But after reading this, you’ll likely want to hit the road to drive the 76-mile loop known as the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway.
Here's a map and a link to the map to help you find the best spot to enter the loop from your origination point.
There are many wonderful sights to stop and see along the route, including Lake Logan.
A hundred years ago, Lake Logan (before being turned into a lake when a dam was built) was a logging town known as Sunburst. Sunburst caught on fire in 1925 and burned to the ground. Eight years later, in 1933, the whole area was submerged by Lake Logan.
If you are driving counterclockwise on this scenic loop, you'll next want to stop at Sunburst Campground near Canton.
Sunburst Campground, 8820 Lake Logan Rd, Canton, NC 28716, USA
Sure, you might not want to camp overnight on this short trip, but it never hurts to scope out a fantastic campground for future adventures. We think you'll love Sunburst. It's small, clean, and managed by the
U.S. Forest Service .
Further along the highway, you'll encounter the Sycamore Flats Picnic Area.
Sycamore Flats Recreational Area, 489 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, USA
It's worth a stop and if the weather is cooperating, bring some grub and squat for a picnic. The views here are gorgeous! Learn more,
here .
No adventure on this scenic byway would be complete with a stop at the Pisgah Ranger Station Visitor Center at 1600 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768.
Pisgah Ranger Station/Visitor Center, 1600 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, USA
It's a great resource for forest and park information. Purchase souvenirs and vending machine drinks and snacks, if you're so inclined. (Personally, we'd bring a cooler instead...)
In warm weather bring some extra clothes so you can take a few runs down the most famous natural water slide in North Carolina.
Sliding Rock, North Carolina 28768, USA
Sliding Rock is a 60-foot rock on Looking Glass Creek in Pisgah Forest. It's open year-round, but only has lifeguards and open restrooms between Memorial Day and Labor Day. What a fun place to spend an hour or two on this scenic drive! Learn more about it
here .
Road trips in North Carolina are great family adventures.
When is the last time you gassed up the car and hit the road to discover new places to see and visit in North Carolina?
Learn more about the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway, with a visit to the U.S. Forest Service website, here .
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Related Articles