Moonshiner 28 (NC-28)
North Carolina Highway 28 — nicknamed Moonshiner 28 for its history as a bootlegger escape route — runs 81 miles from Deals Gap south through the Nantahala National Forest to the Georgia state line, serving as one of the most varied and atmospheric motorcycle roads in the Southeast. Departing the Tail of the Dragon's southern terminus, it immediately dives into deep forest and curves around the southern shore of Fontana Lake before threading through the Little Tennessee River valley and the Cullasaja River Gorge, where Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Cullasaja Falls all drop from roadside cliffs. The road is longer and more leisurely than the Dragon, blending tight river-hugging curves with open valley stretches, and sees a fraction of the Dragon's weekend crowds. The Mountain Waters Scenic Byway and Fontana Byway both overlap the route, and a stop at the top of Fontana Dam is a standard mid-ride punctuation.
What you'll hit along the way.
Rider-verified stops, overlooks, fuel, and the corners worth knowing about — in the order you'll meet them.
Hidetown
A quiet community marking the start of the Moonshiner 28 corridor through western North Carolina.
Tsali Recreation Area
A forested recreation area along Fontana Lake offering trails, camping, and scenic lake views.
Fontana Village
A small resort community near Fontana Dam, a good stop for fuel, food, or an overnight stay.
Rymers Ferry
A small community near the Tennessee border marking the northern end of the Moonshiner 28 route.
No runs logged on this road yet — be the first.
Runs are rider-logged & GPS-traced in the app
Ride your own ride — times are rider-logged & GPS-traced, never a race on public roads.
Shot by the riders who've run it.
Riders upload photos to their profile and tag the road or stop — tagged shots show up here automatically.