Panther Top Lookout Tower

Take a short hike up a forest service road to access 360-degree views from Panther Top Lookout Tower in the Nantahala National Forest near Murphy, North Carolina. While access to the top of the tower is limited to a few days a year for fall leave viewing, you'll still get amazing views of North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia mountains.

Don't be alarmed, there is a small shooting range nearby so you'll definitely hear gun fire. The area is also very popular for hunting, so bring your orange hat.

Just after passing the turn off for the shooting range you'll come to the first gate and parking area. In winter this gate will be closed so you'll have no choice but to begin here. A third of a mile up the road you'll come to the second gate that is always closed. There's really no parking here without blocking the gate or the road so I still suggest beginning at the first gate.

Hike up the road, turning at the second gate and following the sign for Panther Top. The entire route to the summit tower is along forest service roads. Wide and flat, this makes for easy hiking. After climbing 600 feet you'll arrive at the maintained grassy bald and lookout tower.

From the ground and even more so up the steps of the tower, you'll get 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain ranges that seem to go on forever in the distance. Looking down from the steps you'll be able to see the giant N26 identifying marker and two parallel lines. These lines are going east to west and the side opposite the N26 is looking north.