The Heintooga Spur Road, also known as Balsam Mountain Road is a 9-mile paved road that starts at mile post 458.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just 11 miles from the Cherokee entrance to the Parkway. Considered "the road less traveled," Heintooga Road has overlooks with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, hiking trails, picnic areas, and opportunities to see elk. There are five pullouts along Heintooga Road. The Mile High Overlook and Maggie Valley View offer excellent vistas.

For a more adventurous drive, you can continue to Heintooga-Round Bottom Road, marked by a large brown sign where the pavement ends. This is a narrow, gravel, one-lane, mountain road and will bring you out near the Qualla Cherokee Indian Boundary.This route is not suitable for RV's or trailers, is 14 miles and one way only.

Heintooga is open from mid-May until the end of October.