Wayah Bald: A Panoramic Mountaintop Escape
Discover panoramic views from a historic fire tower at Wayah Bald, where the Appalachian and Bartram Trails meet in the Nantahala National Forest.
Wayah Bald, near Franklin, NC, offers stunning panoramic views from its historic stone fire tower. Built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the tower sits atop a high-altitude treeless area within the Nantahala National Forest, accessible by a short walk from a nearby parking area [5, 11].
A brief summary to Wayah Bald
- North Carolina, US
Local tips
- Visit in May or June to see the rhododendrons and azaleas in full bloom [2, 4].
- Bring a camera and binoculars to capture the stunning panoramic views and spot wildlife [6].
- Pack a picnic to enjoy at the summit's picnic area [2, 11].
- Be aware that Forest Road 69, leading to Wayah Bald, is typically closed from January through March due to winter weather [2, 6, 12, 13].
Getting There
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Driving
From Franklin, NC, travel west on US 64 for approximately 3 miles [2, 7, 13]. Turn right at the Wayah Bald/LBJ Job Corps sign onto Old Murphy Road/State Road 1442, then quickly left onto State Road 1310/Wayah Road [2]. Continue on Wayah Road for 9 miles [2, 7, 13]. Turn right onto the unpaved National Forest Road 69 (Wayah Bald turnoff) and follow it for 4.3 miles to the parking area [2, 4, 7, 13]. Note that Forest Road 69 is typically closed from January 1 to April 1 [2, 6, 12, 13]. Parking is free at the Wayah Bald parking area [2].
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Hiking
Wayah Bald is accessible via the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail [2, 5, 6]. A moderate 8.5-mile hike from Wayah Gap along the Appalachian Trail leads to the summit [3]. Alternatively, the 9.1-mile Wayah Crest Trail provides another hiking option [11]. The final approach to the tower from the parking area is a short, paved 0.4-mile path [7, 11, 12]. No fees are associated with hiking these trails.
Discover more about Wayah Bald
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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