Scenic Drives & Overlooks
Make Moonshiner 28 (NC-28) the heart of your trip. Explore the adventure, plan your day, then find a nearby basecamp.
Highlands, NC· Highlands / Cashiers
Less crowded than the Dragon but loaded with tight switchbacks past Fontana Lake, the Nantahala River, the Cullasaja Gorge, and into the Highlands plateau. Stays in Highlands, Franklin, or Bryson City put you on the route.
Plan your visit
NC-28 from Deals Gap to Walhalla — tight curves past Fontana Lake, the Nantahala, and Highlands. Here's the quick version — when to go, how long to plan, what it costs and how to fit it into a full day near Highlands.
Morning
Arrive early at Moonshiner 28 (NC-28) — easier parking, cooler temps and softer light.
Midday
Head to Lake Glenville (about 4 straight-line miles away; check directions for the drive).
See this stop →Afternoon
Add Cullasaja Falls (about 5 mi away) before dinner.
See this stop →Evening
Dinner in Highlands, then back to a stay close by so tomorrow starts without a long drive.
Distances are straight-line estimates, not driving routes. Confirm directions and hours before traveling.
Ranked by Stay Near Score™ — how well each stay matches your trip.
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Dates and rates must be confirmed with the owner. Distances shown are approximate straight-line distances; town-only locations have no property distance.
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Built from experiences already on StayNear. Add a theme to your trip and we'll rank stays for the whole plan.
Waterfalls in this area, grouped for one trip.
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Quieter, scenic experiences travelers pair for a couples trip.
Fall · Sep – Nov
Matched from what each experience is actually known for.
Clayton, GA · Known for fall
Best time: Late April–October
Blue Ridge Parkway MP 418.8, NC · Known for fall
Best time: Spring through fall
Maggie Valley, NC · Known for leaf
Best time: Year-round
Cashiers, NC · Mountain Towns
Best time: Year-round
Highlands, NC · Mountain Towns
Best time: Year-round
Sapphire, NC · Known for fall
Best time: Spring water flow; October foliage
Travel guide
Less crowded than the Dragon but loaded with tight switchbacks past Fontana Lake, the Nantahala River, the Cullasaja Gorge, and into the Highlands plateau. Stays in Highlands, Franklin, or Bryson City put you on the route. Difficulty: Moderate.
Travelers come to Moonshiner 28 (NC-28) for nc-28 from deals gap to walhalla — tight curves past fontana lake, the nantahala, and highlands.. April–November is the most popular window, but the experience rewards visits across multiple seasons. Plan for the difficulty level noted above and bring appropriate gear and water. Photographers favor early light and quieter weekday mornings, and the location pairs naturally with other scenic drives & overlooks stops in the region.
Within an easy drive you'll find Whiteside Mountain, Downtown Highlands, Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center, Dry Falls. Most travelers build a long weekend around two or three experiences plus a town for dinners — pair Moonshiner 28 (NC-28) with the closest ones below for a full itinerary.
Stay Near ranks lodging around Moonshiner 28 (NC-28) by how well each property fits your trip — distance, drive times to nearby experiences, amenities like hot tubs or kitchens, and walkable dining. Add the experiences you want most to the bar above, and the Stay Near Score™ re-orders the list so the top result is the best base for your full plan, not just the closest cabin.
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