Mt. Lyn Lowry Overlook

View from Mt. Lyn Lowry Overlook

NPS Photo / Tina Haver Currin

Quick Facts

Location:

Milepost 445

Significance:

High Elevation Scenic Overlook

Amenities

3 listed

Parking - Auto, Picnic Table, Scenic View/Photo Spot

This overlook has plenty to offer. Not only can you take in a beautiful view of Mt. Lyn Lowry (elevation 6,240 feet), there is also a wide picnic area, gorgeous cascade, and significant history associated with the area.  

This mountain was renamed in 1965 in memory of Lyn Lowry, a 15-year-old victim of leukemia. Her parents, retired Army Lieutenant General Sumpter Lowry and Ivilyn Lowry, were determined to honor their daughter’s legacy at one of her favorite vacation spots. On the east side of the ridge, Lowry's parents installed a 60-foot-tall cross and a memorial plaque. On a clear day, the cross can be seen from Waynesville, Sylva, and other Western North Carolina towns as far as 30 miles away. The Reverend Billy Graham presided over the dedication ceremony.

Across the overlook, the Woodfin Cascades topples down the mountainside. It is best seen in the winter or early springtime when leaves are sparse. But a thin strip of water is visible throughout the summer, especially after a hard rain. There is no easy access to this waterfall, so the best view is from the overlook.

Check the conditions of the area before you visit.