The Tunnel to Nowhere
Explore this Great Smoky Mountain National Park secret
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The “Tunnel to Nowhere” is a Great Smoky Mountain National Park secret that lies just beyond the end of Lakeview Drive, also known as the “Road to Nowhere.”
Construction of Fontana Dam in North Carolina flooded access roads during the 1940s. During the 1960s, a replacement highway was promised, but environmental issues put a stop to the road’s construction, leading to its current “Road to Nowhere” nomenclature.
If you decide to explore this secret tunnel, just type “Tunnel to Nowhere, Bryson City, North Carolina” into your GPS and get going. You’ll discover the abandoned tunnel at the end of a 6-mile winding drive that ends abruptly and offers a distant view of Fontana Lake. Many who have walked through the 1,200-foot tunnel advise bringing a flashlight, since the tunnel is quite long and gets dark in the middle.
Learn more about this intriguing location at greatsmokies.com/road-nowhere.
While You’re There …
Here are some hiking trails to enjoy in the area.
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