Road Trip Daily

Blue Ridge Parkway

The scenic spine of the southern Appalachians. 469 miles of mountain overlooks, waterfalls, folk music, and some of the best fall foliage in the country. No tr…

469

miles

25

stops

North toward Shenandoah ↔ South toward Great Smokies

direction

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The scenic spine of the southern Appalachians. 469 miles of mountain overlooks, waterfalls, folk music, and some of the best fall foliage in the country. No trucks, no billboards, no rush.

The route

Waypoints (25)

🏙️ Rockfish Gap

Northern terminus. Connects directly to Skyline Drive.

🥾 Humpback Rocks

Short steep hike (1 mi RT) to 360-degree rocky summit views. Also has a historic farm museum at the trailhead.

🎡 James River Visitor Center

Lowest elevation on the Parkway. Historic canal locks and a footbridge across the river.

🏨 Peaks of Otter

Iconic lodge on Abbott Lake with Sharp Top and Flat Top mountains behind. Restaurant open to non-guests.

📸 Roanoke Mountain Overlook

Elevated view over the city of Roanoke and the Roanoke Valley.

🎡 Mabry Mill

Working 1910 water-powered grist mill and blacksmith shop. Most photographed spot on the Parkway.

🎡 Blue Ridge Music Center

Free interpretive center for old-time and bluegrass music with daily live performances in season.

🥾 Cumberland Knob

First recreation area in North Carolina. Easy 1-mile loop trail to the knob.

🎡 Doughton Park

Largest recreation area on the Parkway. Miles of trails through high meadow.

🎡 Moses H Cone Memorial Park

Historic Flat Top Manor mansion with 25 miles of carriage trails through the grounds.

🏨 Julian Price Park

Popular campground and boating on Price Lake. Trailheads for several hikes.

📸 Linn Cove Viaduct

Engineering marvel wrapping around Grandfather Mountain. Best viewed from below or from the overlook.

🥾 Linville Falls

Multiple overlooks of a dramatic three-tier waterfall dropping into Linville Gorge.

🎡 Museum of North Carolina Minerals

Small free museum on the geology of the region. Mining history exhibits.

🥾 Crabtree Falls

3.5-mile loop to a 70-foot waterfall. Moderate difficulty.

📸 Mount Mitchell State Park

Highest peak east of the Mississippi at 6684 ft. Short spur road off the Parkway.

🥾 Craggy Gardens

Famous for June rhododendron blooms. Short walk to a windswept summit.

🎡 Folk Art Center

Southern Highland Craft Guild galleries and shop. High-quality Appalachian craft work.

🏙️ Asheville

Access point to Asheville via US-25. Full services and one of the great small cities.

🏨 Mount Pisgah

Historic inn restaurant and campground near the base of Mount Pisgah.

🥾 Graveyard Fields

High-elevation meadow with two waterfalls. Loop trails through blueberry bushes and old-growth forest.

🥾 Devils Courthouse

Short 0.4-mile hike to a rocky summit with 360-degree views.

📸 Richland Balsam

Highest point on the entire Parkway at 6047 ft. Overlook plus a 1.5-mile loop trail.

📸 Waterrock Knob

Panoramic 360-degree view. Visitor center and one of the best sunrise/sunset spots on the Parkway.

🏙️ Cherokee

Southern terminus. Connects to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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