Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Guide
 Driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway |
The Blue Ridge Parkway offers a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands.
The Parkway meanders for 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, protecting a diversity of plants, ecosystems and wildlife, and offering endless outdoor recreational opportunities.
The north end of the Parkway begins near Waynesboro, at the southern end of the Skyline Drive.
Millions of visitors annually enjoy the natural beauty and diversity of the Parkway. Spanning the southern and central Appalachians, the Blue Ridge Parkway offers an exceptional glimpse of the regional flora and fauna.
Popular attractions in the park include Mount Mitchell, Linville Gorge, Whitewater Falls, Mabry Mill, Peaks of Otter, the Blue Ridge Music Center, the Linn Cove Viaduct and dozens of other things to do.
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There is no entrance fee to drive the Parkway. The speed limit is typically 45 miles an hour, but lower in some areas, as the Parkway was designed for leisurely motoring. Commercial vehicles are not allowed on the Parkway.
Parking is limited to designed pullouts,, overlooks, access points and parking areas.
Mileposts are numbered north to south, from the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.
Spend a day, or more, and enjoy and explore the Blue Ridge Parkway. We have driven the entire length of the Parkway several times over the years ... it is a highly recommend road trip!
| Mabry Mill ... A popular stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia |
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Accessing the Blue Ridge Parkway
 One of the many visitor centers along the Blue Ridge Parkway |
This Blue Ridge Parkway features many convenient access points along its 469 miles route.
The Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park, near Waynesboro, VA (Milepost 0) with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Cherokee, NC (Milepost 469).
There are entrances and exits at all major federal and state highways. Asheville and Boone, NC and Roanoke, VA are the largest cities along the way.
In Virginia, Interstates 64, 81, and 77 all have directions for accessing the Parkway.
The same is true for Interstates 40 and 26 in North Carolina.
| A special treat for visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway in the spring ... Rhododendrons! |
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Lodging Options On/Near the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Peaks of Otter Lodge and the Pisgah Inn are located directly on the Parkway.
Lodging is available in numerous cities and towns along the Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina. Visitors can choose from upscale hotels, B&Bs, inns, cabins, campgrouds, RV parks and lodges.
In addition, eight campgrounds are open from May through October along the Parkway.
Included below is just a small sampling of lodging options and locations ... there are many more!
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What to See and Do Along the Blue Ridge Parkway: Highlights
The Blue Ridge Parkway has attractions and things to do for all ages, and interests, year-round. Some of the popular attractions include the following:
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Blue Ridge Parkway ... Ahead!Scenes Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
| Entering the Blue Ridge Parkway |
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| Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and Headquarters |
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| Stone overpass on the Blue Ridge Parkway |
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| Blue Ridge Parkway vista in the fall |
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| Quiet lake scene in autumn on the Blue Ridge Parkway |
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| Cloud puffs on the mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway |
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| Lickstone Ridge Overlook ... Elevation 5,150 feet |
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| Shades of blue and green in the summer, along the Blue Ridge Parkway |
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| Sign about the design and construction of the Linn Cove Viaduct |
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| Linn Cove Viaduct seen from a distance on the Blue Ridge Parkway |
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| Making the turn while driving on the famous Linn Cove Viaduct |
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| Beautiful reflecting lake on the Parkway |
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| Flat Top Manor in the Moses Cone Park on the Parkway |
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| View Mt. Mitchell and its 6,684 foot elevation |
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| The Appalachian Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway |
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| View Grandfather Mountain |
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| Mount Pisgah Trail |
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| Tanbark Ridge Tunnel |
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| Craggy Gardens Visitor Center |
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| Peaceful, slow times on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall |
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Map of the Blue Ridge Parkway
| Map of the Blue Ridge Parkway (Courtesy of the National Park Service) |
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More Information about the Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway official website at NPS
Blue Ridge Parkway Association
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia