Smokies Guide

Your online resource for the Smoky Mountains

🏔️ Highlands Outpost

Located just minutes south of downtown Highlands in Scaly Mountain, North Carolina, Highlands Outpost is a premier year-round adventure resort packed with outdoor fun for all ages. Surrounded by the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this family-friendly destination offers thrilling mountain rides, seasonal snow sports, and classic mountain activities across every season.

📍 Visitor Information

🗺️ Location

7420 Dillard Road, Scaly Mountain, NC 28775 (along NC-106, near NC/GA border)

🗓️ Seasonality

Open year-round with seasonal transitions between winter snow and summer adventures

✨ Atmosphere

High-energy, family-oriented, suitable for kids, teens, and adults alike

✨ Key Attractions & Highlights

🎢 Scaly Mountain Screamer

North Carolina’s longest mountain coaster! Ride over 3,800 feet of gravity-powered track featuring 360-degree turns and sweeping forest views, with hand brakes for driver-controlled speed.

🛷 Snow & Summer Tubing

High-speed fun on multi-lane tubing hills equipped with a "Magic Carpet" conveyor lift. Enjoy snow tubing in winter (with snowmaking machines) and extreme summer tubing when warm.

⛸️ Outdoor Ice Skating Rink

Glide across a spacious outdoor ice skating rink during the winter season, complete with skate rentals and beautiful mountain views.

💎 Gem Mining & Trout Fishing

Pan for native gemstones and minerals at the sluice, or cast a line into the on-site trout pond where all gear is provided and you pay for what you catch.

👶 Kid-Friendly Play Areas

Features dedicated snow play areas and gentle tube merry-go-round rides designed specifically for younger children (ages 5 and under).

🍔 Dining & Amenities

☕ The Outpost Café

Grab a bite without leaving the park. The café serves up lunch and dinner favorites including hot meals, snacks, and refreshing drinks.

🛍️ Gift Shop & Sweets

Browse a collection of mountain souvenirs, vintage merchandise, old-time taffy, and glass-bottle sodas.