Blue Ridge Parkway: America’s Favorite Drive
The Blue Ridge Parkway has been called “America’s Favorite Drive.” And for good reason. Stretching 469 miles, this ribbon of road wends its way past the postcard perfect farms and pastures of southwest Virginia and crosses the high mountain peaks of western North Carolina. No road gives more picturesque views of the southern Appalachian countryside or offers as many panoramas of verdant valleys and rows of blue-hued mountain peaks that stretch as far as the eye can see.
More than a beautiful drive, this All-American Road offers 350 miles of hiking trails. Take a five- minute stroll or head out for the full day. Trailheads are accessible from many overlooks. These footpaths will take you through diverse settings, from crystal clear mountain streams to spectacular waterfalls, through lush forests and across broad meadows.
There’s no need to hurry. The Parkway was built as a “drive a while, stop a while” retreat. For overnighters, nine rustic campgrounds accommodate tents and RVs. For those who want more creature comfort, there are three modern lodges with full service restaurants, all in beautiful natural settings. Other accommodations and services are available at adjoining towns and communities that are easily reached via the many state and U.S. highways that cross the scenic corridor. Take the time to explore. Many communities offer shops, museums and special celebrations that showcase the history, art and culture of the Southern mountains.
Something old...Something new
Some Parkway visitors fulfill a lifetime dream by driving through these ancient mountains for the first time. For others, it is the familiarity with the Parkway that draws them to a picnic area where generations of one family have gathered on a regular basis or for that mid-October view of the color on a favorite tree.
Whether it’s a first or five hundredth visit, there is always something new to discover here. As Parkway staff learn and understand more about the region’s natural and cultural heritage, they convey that understanding in the form of exhibits that will enrich the appreciation and connection with this part of the country.
Compelling stories and interactive, upgraded exhibits have been developed with partners over the past decade or so to enhance visits to Humpback Rocks, Peaks of Otter, Virginia’s Explore Park, the Museum of North Carolina Minerals, Linville Falls, the Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center, and Waterrock Knob. Visitors who have passed by these places recently without stopping, should reconsider, spend a few minutes, and be surprised at the new things to see and learn!
The newest place to visit is the Parkway Destination Center near Asheville at milepost 384. Opened in late 2007, it’s also the home to the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Exhibits and a film provide orientation to not only the Parkway, but much of western North Carolina. For those who thought they had hiked all the Parkway’s many trails, there’s a new one to try! Nearly three miles of new trail have opened at the Blue Ridge Music Center, milepost 213. The Parkway remains a dynamic and ever-changing destination.
Enduring Favorites
In Virginia, “must see” stops include the Humpback Rocks Farm and Museum at Milepost 5 and the rugged 4,000-acre Peaks of Otter near Bedford. Rustic Mabry Mill, an old-fashioned gristmill at Milepost 176 near Meadows of Dan, offers blacksmithing and other cultural demonstrations summer and fall. Nearby, hiking trails at Rock Castle Gorge traverse some of the most botanically rich places along the Parkway. The Blue Ridge Music Center, Milepost 213 near Galax, offers weekly summertime concerts of mountain music and a visitor center that is open daily in summer and fall.
In North Carolina, Doughton Park, just east of Sparta, has miles of hiking trails, an uncrowded campground, and fullservice lodge. Moses H. Cone Memorial Park at Blowing Rock features a turn-of-thecentury country estate, carriage roads, and craft center. Farther south, the Linn Cove Viaduct, an engineering masterpiece, skirts the side of Grandfather Mountain, which boasts the highest summit on the Blue Ridge. Nearby, spectacular Linville Falls cascades into a rugged gorge. The Museum of North Carolina Minerals is a great stop for learning about how these mountains were formed and the mineral wealth they possess (Milepost 331, Spruce Pine) Craggy Gardens, north of Asheville, offers outstanding rhododendron displays in mid-June, while Mt. Pisgah boasts the Parkway’s highest elevation (and coolest!) campground, at more than 5,000-feet (Milepost 407, south of Asheville). Sunsets are often spectacular at Waterrock Knob, Milepost 451, near Maggie Valley.
By the Numbers
Distance: .....................................469 miles
Speed Limit: ................................45 (lower in a few places)
Driving time: ................................About 2-1/2 days to travel the full length
Number of Overlooks: ...................270
Miles of hiking trails: .....................350
Campgrounds: ..............................9
Picnic Areas: .................................12
Visitor Centers: .............................4
Acreage: ......................................81,000 (Views extend to millions of acres)
Tunnels in Va.: .............................1
Tunnels in N.C.: ............................25
Major recreational areas: ..............9
Annual visitation: ...........................20 million
Adjoining Metropolitan Areas:.........Roanoke, VA, & Asheville, NC
Lodges: .........................................3 (Rustic cabins also available at Rocky Knob)
Restaurants: .................................4
Days of operation: .........................365 (Sections closed in winter for snow &
ice. Most facilities open mid-May thru October)
For nearly 60 years, the Blue Ridge Parkway Association has promoted and supported the Blue Ridge Parkway through a formal agreement with the National Park Service. The Association’s annual Directory and Travel Planner offers the most comprehensive listing of accommodations and services along the entire scenic corridor, including neighboring Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. For trip planning and other information, visit www.blueridgeparkway.org.
Of Special Note
While the Parkway is closed to commercial traffic, tour bus/motor coach touring is permitted, and no permit is required. Motorcycles and RVs are also welcome. In fact, the Parkway is a premier destination for both. Beware, some curves can be tricky for motorcyclists and caution is advisable over daring. RVers should note that campgrounds do not offer hookups, but potable water and dump stations are provided. All offer at least some sites that will accommodate larger RVs. Most tunnels provide plenty of clearance, although several near Cherokee have a minimum height of less than 11-feet at the road’s edge and drivers of especially tall vehicles should favor the centerline!
On the Parkway, more than a dozen museums and visitor centers offer exhibits about nature and history and information about things to see and do nearby. Most are open mid-May through October.
