Blue Ridge Parkway

Understand

History

Although the Blue Ridge Parkway is often seen primarily as a scenic byway with many natural attractions, it is also a cross-section of Appalachian mountain history. Stretching almost 500 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge mountains through North Carolina and Virginia, it encompasses some of the oldest settlements of both pre-historic and early European settlement. Overlook signs, visitor center exhibits, restored historic structures, and developed areas, all point out and explain the interesting history.

Native American culture and influence The Cherokee Indians of North Carolina, and the Monacan, Saponi, and Tutelo Indians of western Virginia, were among the earliest inhabitants of the Blue Ridge, leaving artifacts and changes in the landscape as evidence of their existence. Many of the fields still visible at the base of the mountains date back centuries to ancient American Indian agricultural methods of burning and deadening the trees and underbrush to provide needed grazing and crop land. Mountain and river names along the Parkway also reflect the American Indian influence. The best place to learn about the pre-history of the Appalachian chain in Virginia is at the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center museum (milepost 85.9). Arrowheads and early tools found in the Peaks area are exhibited. In North Carolina, the Parkway enters the Cherokee Indian Reservation at milepost 457.7 and features an informational display on the reservation at the Lickstone Parking Overlook (milepost 458.9).

European homesteads There are many surviving examples of early European pioneer structures along the Parkway, beginning at Milepost 5.8 at the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center and Mountain Farm exhibit. The easy Mountain Farm Self-Guiding Trail takes you through a collection of 19th century farm buildings, and in the summer months there are often living history demonstrations. The Visitor Center exhibits represent the most complete effort at interpreting the Blue Ridge region with stories about early housing, community, entertainment, and transportation. At the Peaks of Otter (Milepost 85.9) there is a moderate loop trail leading to the Johnson Farm, in which generati

Get in

In North Carolina – Asheville and Boone are the largest cities along the Parkway. In North Carolina Interstates 40 and 26 have directions for accessing the Parkway. In Virginia – Roanoke is the largest city along the way. In Virginia, Interstates 64, 81, and 77 all have directions for accessing the Parkway.

Fees and permits

There is no fee to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway and entrances and exits are available at intersections with all major highways. There is a charge for camping of $30 per site (2023) and those visitors with Golden Age or Golden Access Passports or the new Interagency Senior or Access Pass pay a reduced camping fee. For organized activities such as sporting events, ceremonies or large group gatherings, a Special Use Permit may be necessary. Commercial Filming of any type also requires a permit.

Get around

The Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park near Waynesboro, Virginia at Milepost 0 (MP 0) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina at Milepost 469 (MP 469). The Parkway is meant to be a leisurely drive; various overlooks and trails are great places to stop, stretch and learn about the area.

See

The Folk Art Center in Asheville, the Museum of North Carolina Minerals at Spruce Pine, and the Peaks of Otter Lodge and Restaurant north of Roanoke are open year round. Other facilities, including visitor centers, campgrounds, and picnic areas, begin opening on a staggered schedule in late April and stay open through the fall leaf color.

Virginia MP 0 The northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Connects here to Skyline Drive, which runs north 105 mi through Shenandoah National Park. Route 250 and I-64 go to Charlottesville to the east and Waynesboro and Staunton to the west. MP 1 Afton Overlook MP 2 Rockfish Valley Parking Overlook MP 3 Shenandoah Valley Overlook MP 5 to 9.3 Humpback Rocks Visitor Center Has a self-guiding trail through a collection of antique Appalachian farm buildings. A short but fairly strenuous hiking trail from the parking area (at mile 6.1) leads 0.75 mile to the Humpback Rocks. Picnic area near parking lot. MP 10 Dripping Rock Parking Area MP 10 Rockpoint Overlook MP 10.7 Ravens Roost Overlook Views of Torry Mountain and the Shenandoah Valley. MP 12 Hickory Spring Parking Area MP 14 Three Ridges Overlook MP 16 Route 814 crosses. Sherando Lake 4.5 miles from the parkway. A recreation area in George Washington National Forest with swimming, picnicking, and camping. Fees. MP 17.6 The Priest Roadside exhibit about hickory trees. MP 19 Twenty Minute Cliff, roadside exhibit explains origin of name. MP 20 The Slacks Overlook MP 23 View Fork Mountain Overlook MP 23 Bald Mountain Overlook MP 26 Masons Knob Overlook MP 26 Big Spy Mountain Overlook MP 27.2 VA Route 56 crosses. MP 29 Whetstone Ridge Overlook Food, phone. MP 32 Stillhouse Hollow Parking Area MP 34.4 Yankee Horse Ridge where a Union soldier's horse fell and had to be shot. A reconstructed spur of an old logging railroad is on the trail to Wigwam Falls. MP 37.5 VA Route 605 crosses. MP 38.8 Boston Knob Overlook Birds of the Parkway exhibit. MP 43 View Irish Creek Valley MP 45 White's Gap Overlook MP 45 Chimney Rock Mountain Overlook MP 46 View Buena Vista MP 48 Indian Gap Parking Area MP 49 View House Mountain Overlook MP 52.8 Roadside display. The Appalachian Trail runs parallel

Do

The National Park Service Parkway Event calendar. Shows events and ranger-led programs. Hiking Both long and short trails are available on Parkway lands. Fishing Fishing is allowed in Parkway lakes and streams with either a North Carolina or Virginia license. Birdwatching Photography

Eat

Seasonal restaurants at Otter Creek (MP 63), Mabry Mill (MP 176), Bluffs Coffee Shop (MP 242), and Crabtree Meadows (MP 340) offer local cuisine and the opportunity to extend your Parkway travels. Local cities and towns provide an expanded array of dining choices.

Sleep

Lodging Four lodges along the Parkway provide accommodations from spring through the fall foliage season. Many Parkway travelers may find that getting off of the road and into the local towns and communities in the region is an enjoyable option for lodging as well.

The Peaks of Otter Lodge, milepost 86, +1-800-542-5927. The only year-round lodging on the Parkway offers dining, trails, fishing and seasonal interpretive programs at the park amphitheater.Located twenty miles north of Roanoke, Virginia. Rocky Knob Cabins, milepost 174, +1 540-593-3503. Open from May through the fall foliage season. Located near Meadows of Dan, Virginia, these are small, rustic cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the early days of Parkway construction. Bluffs Lodge, milepost 240, +1 336-372-4499. Open from May through the fall foliage season. Located at Doughton Park in North Carolina, this is one of the largest developed areas on the Parkway. Extensive hiking trails are available and the Bluffs Coffee Shop offers food service. Pisgah Inn, milepost 408.6, +1 828-235-8228. Open from early spring through the fall foliage season. Phone for reservations. Located south of Asheville, North Carolina, Pisgah Inn is the highest elevation lodging on the Blue Ridge Parkway at over 5,000 feet.

Camping Fee is $16 for all campgrounds. Camping is only permitted in established campgrounds.

Otter Creek (MP 61) is located at the Parkway's lowest elevation near Virginia's James River. Sites for 42 tents and 26 trailers. Facilities include water, comfort stations with flush toilets and sinks. No showers or hook-ups. Peaks of Otter (MP 86) near the Peaks of Otter Lodge, Abbott Lake, the restored 1930s Johnson Farm, and a magnificent trail system. A 144-site campground at the foot of Sharp Top mountain, with sites for 92 tents and 52 trailers or RVs. Facilities include water, comfort stations with flush