Mile High Overlook on Heintooga Road just off the Blue Ridge Parkway

Heintooga Road forks off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and serves as an entrance into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, though the first few miles are managed by the Parkway. While there are a few overlooks along the way—some with nice views of the surrounding mountains—the only reason to take this road is to reach the National Park. The road leads to the Balsam Mountain area.

There are five pullouts along Heintooga Road. The Mile High Overlook and Maggie Valley View offer excellent vistas.

Panoramic view from Mile High Overlook on Heintooga Road just off the Blue Ridge Parkway (click to enlarge)

Maggie Valley View stop on Heintooga Road just off the Blue Ridge Parkway

There is still a nice view between a couple of tall trees at the Lake Junaluska Overlook, but you can’t see the lake. Weeds are rapidly encroaching and are in need of a good whacking.

View from the Lake Junaluska View stop on Heintooga Road just off the Blue Ridge Parkway

Horsetrough Ridge View is largely overgrown with small brush and weeds, but you can still see a few mountains between some of the vegetation. A day’s worth of weed whacking would solve much of the problem, but that’s probably not going to happen.

Narrow view of the mountains between the weeds at Horsetrough Ridge View on Heintooga Road just off the Blue Ridge Parkway

There is also a stop with historical significance. Since 1935, the North Carolina Masons have held a summer assembly in a large field located on Heintooga Road just before the entrance into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In 1938, members erected a marker made of stones sent by Masons from all over the world. There are 687 stones, including ones from Plymouth Rock, the Rock of Gibraltar, and the White House.

Masonic Marker on Heintooga Road just outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Masonic Marker on Heintooga Road just outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Field on Heintooga Road just outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park where the North Carolina Masons hold their summer meeting

There are no trails at any of the stops along Heintooga Road. There is one picnic table at the Mason Marker, but none at the other stops. However, the Heintooga Picnic Area is located near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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