The Blue Ridge Parkway extends 469 miles along the crests of the southern Appalachians and links two eastern national
parks—Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains.
Mile 0 Rockfish Gap near
Waynesboro, Va., is the northern
end of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
To the north the parkway connects
directly to Skyline Drive, which
winds 105 miles north through
Shenandoah National Park. U.S.
250 and 1-64 take you to
Charlottesville to the east or
Staunton to the west.
5 to 9.3 Humpback Rocks has a self-guiding trail through a collection of old Appalachian farm buildings. A hiking trail from the park-ing area (at mile 6.1) leads 0.75 mile to The Rocks, whose humped appearance gives the area its name. Greenstone self-guiding trail (8.8).
58 to 63.6 Otter Creek tumbles 10
miles down the Blue Ridge to the
James River. Otter Lake (63.1),
fishing, trail.
63.8 James River and the Kanawha
Canal is where a footbridge leads
across the river to the restored canal
locks and exhibits. A self-guiding
trail follows the river bluff.
71 Petites Gap is named for a local
family. The road to the west goes to
Cave Mountain Lake, seven miles
away, in Jefferson National Forest.
Swimming, picnicking, camping.
83.4 Fallingwater Cascades can be
seen along a 1.6-mile loop trail.
10.7 Ravens Roost offers vistas of
Torry Mountain and Shenandoah
Valley to the west.
16 Sherando Lake is a recreation
area in George Washington National
Forest 4.5 miles from the parkway
via Va. 814. Swimming, picnicking,
and camping. Fees charged.
29 Whetstone Ridge gave many a
mountain man a fine-grained
sharpening stone
34.4 Yankee Horse Ridge is where
a hard-riding Union soldier's horse
fell and supposedly had to be shot.
Walk to Wigwam Falls to see a
reconstructed spur of an old logging
railroad
Parkway Highlights in Virginia
Parkway Information
How To Use Your Brochure Major points of interest along the parkway are listed at right by milepost from the northern end in Virginia to the southern end in North Carolina. This left column gives you information about the entire parkway. The chart—see Visiting the Park—lists visitor services, facilities, and activities.
Trees are everywhere. In spring, the tulip trees and serviceberry produce showy blooms. In fall, leaves burst into color. Dogwood, sourwood, and blackgum turn deep red. Tulip trees and birches turn yellow, sassafras a vivid orange, and red maples add a multicolored brilliance. Berries of the mountain ash turn bright red and are food for wintering birds. Oaks put on a dash of russet
and maroon. Evergreens include the Virginia pine, white pine,
hemlock, spruce, and fir.
Blue Ridge Parkway
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Rhododendron Along The Blue Ridge Mountains
Flowering shrubs put on a springtime show that rivals the trees'
fall display. Because of the range of elevation, from 649 to
6,047 feet, blooming peaks at different times and
places—somewhat earlier in Virginia than in North Carolina.
Flame azalea is at its best south of Roanoke to Rocky Knob
about mid-May and in the high mountains west of Asheville in
mid-June. Mountain laurel blooms along Otter Creek in mid-
May and else-where on the parkway in the first half of June.
Dense thickets of catawba rhododendron turn purple north of
Peaks of Otter to Onion Moun-tain and long the bluffs of
Doughton Park the first week of June and in Craggy Gardens
and through the Balsams after mid-June. Many wild-flowers
begin to bloom in April and continue through fall.
The southern Appalachian Mountains' diverse history and
culture are described at many over¬looks and facilities along
the parkway, including Humpback Rocks, Peaks of Otter,
Mabry Mill, Blue Ridge Music Center, Brinegar Cabin,
North¬west Trading Post, and the Parkway Craft Center at
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park.
In the Asheville area, stop at the Folk Art Center for craft
demonstrations and at the Destination Center for general
parkway information and planning your trip.
84 to 87 Peaks of Otter's
spectacular views have been
popular since the days of Thomas
Jefferson. A shuttle bus provides
service to Sharp Top. Fee charged.
114.9 Roanoke River Gorge
opens before you from the
overlook, after a 10-minute walk.
115.1 Virginia's Explore Park
celebrates the state's role in
Westward Expansion. Historic
buildings, exhibits, and
demonstrations. Fee charged.
120.4 Roanoke Mountain is a
3.7-mile side trip. The one-way
loop road takes you over the
mountain for impressive views.
Steep
129.6 Roanoke Valley Overlook
gives a view of the largest
community along the parkway.
Reach the city via U.S. 220 (at
milepost 121), Va. 24 (at 112), and
U.S. 460 (at 105).
154.5 Smart View is just that; go to
the Trail Cabin built in the 1890s
and you'll see
smart view," especially in early May
when the dogwood trees bloom.
167 to 174 Rocky Knob rises like
the cresting of a wave to overlook
Rock Castle Gorge.
176.1 Mabry Mill was run by E.B.
Mabry from 1910 to 1935. A trail
leads you to his gristmill, sawmill,
and blacksmith shop and to other
exhibits. Old-time skills are
demonstrated in the summer and
fall.
Flat Top Manor, Moses H. Cone Memorial
Park, North Carolina
Mabry Mill, Virginia
188.8 Groundhog Mountain is a
aood place to see different kinds of
rural fences: snake, post and rail,
picket, and buck. Picnic grounds and
observation tower.
213 Blue Ridge Music Center
celebrates Blue Ridge music and
musicians, a significant strand of
American musical culture alive and
thriving in the region. Includes a
visitor center, museum, outdoor
amphitheater, and trails. For program
listings visit
ark
Visiting the Park
This chart lists activities, facilities, and services
for 25 primary sites. Most services are available
late May through October. Winter snow or ice
may close sections of the parkway.
Lodging- Concessionaire service is provided
spring to fall along the parkway and year-round at
Peaks of Otter Lodge. Reservations are recom-
mended. Nearby communities offer lodging and
other travel services.
For lodging and reservations information contact:
Peaks of Otter Lodge, P.O. Box 489, Bedford, VA
24523; 540-586-9263. Rocky Knob Cabins, do
For-ever/NPC Resorts, 266 Mabry Mill Rd. SE,
Mead-ows of Dan, VA 24120; 276-952-2947, or
off-sea¬son 336-372-4499. Bluffs Lodge, c/o
Forever/NPC Resorts, 45356 Blue Ridge
Parkway, Laurel Springs, NC 28644; 336-372-
4499. Pisgah Inn, P.O. Drawer 749. Waynesville,
NC 28786; 828-235-8228.
Walks and Talks- Be sure to take advantage of
the campfire programs and conducted walks at
points of interest. Activities are listed on Visitor
Activities bulletnin boards and in The Parkway
Milepost, free at visitor centers or by visiting
Camping- The nine campgrounds are open mid-
May through October or early November, as
weather allows. Facilities are limited in winter.
Fees are charged, and lengths of stay may be
limited. Camping is permitted only in designated
campgrounds. There are drinking water and rest-
rooms but no shower or laundry facilities. Camp-
grounds have trailer sites and sanitary dumping
stations but no utility connections. Each campsite
has a table and fireplace. You can buy limited
Trails- Trails start at many overlooks. Some take
10 minutes roundtrip, others 30 minutes or more.
Miles of trails explore the Peaks of Otter, Rocky
Knob, Doughton Park, and Cone and Price
memorial parks. The Appalchian Trail roughly
parallels the parkway from mile 0 at Rockfish
Gap to mile 103. Trail maps are available at
visitor centers.
Picnic Areas- Picnic grounds have tables,
fire¬places, drinking water, and comfort stations.
Many parking overlooks have picnic tables.
“America’s Favorite Drive”
Parkway Highlights in North Carolina
Mile 217.5 Cumberland Knob, at 2,885 feet, is a delightful spot to walk through fields and woodlands.
218.6 Fox Hunters Paradise, a 10-minute walk, is where hunters could listen to their hounds baying in the valley below.
238.5 Brinegar Cabin was built by Martin Brinegar about 1880 and lived in until the 1930s when the homestead was purchased from his widow for the parkway. The original cabin stands here today.
238.5 to 244.7 Doughton Park was named for Congressman Robert L. Doughton, a staunch supporter and neighbor of the parkway. One of the best places to see deer. Campground.
The Blue Ridge Parkway crosses the North Carolina-Virginia state line at mile 216.9. The 1749 party that
surveyed the boundary included Peter Jefferson, father of Thomas.
Parkway Information
258.6 Northwest Trading Post offers
crafts from North Carolina's
northwestern counties.
260.6 Jumpinoff Rock, at the end of a
short woodland trail, offers a beautiful
vista
264.4 The Lump provides sweeping
views of the forested foothills.
272 E.B. Jeffress Park has a self-
guiding trail to the Cascades. Another
trail goes to the old cabin and church.
285.1 Daniel Boone's Trace, which
Boone blazed to the West, crosses near
here.
292 to 295 Moses H. Cone Memorial
Park has hiking and horse trails. Flat
Top Manor houses the parkway craft
center, Fishing.
339.5 Crabtree Meadows Walk to
Crabtree Falls. Campground.
355.4 Mount Mitchell State Park,
reached via N.C. 128, has a picnic
area, lookout tower, and the highest
point east of the Mississippi River.
363.4 to 369.6 Craggy Gardens
seem to be covered with purple
rhododendrons in mid-to late June.
Craggy Pinnacle Trail and other
trails (364.1 and 364.6); road to
picnic area and trails (367.6).
382 The Folk Art Center offers
sales and ex¬hibits of traditional
and contemporary crafts of the
Appalachian region. Interpretive
pro¬grams, gallery, and library.
384 Destination Center offers a
film, exhibits, and overview of the
Blue Ridge National Heri¬tage area
and the parkway.
Regulations and Safety Tips
ENJOY THE VIEW. WATCH THE ROAD.
Drive carefully. The maximum speed limit is 45 miles
per hour. Mountain terrain and sightseeing may require
slower speeds. Allow 30 miles per hour to figure actual
travel time. Report acci-dents to a park ranger. •
Commercial vehicles are prohibited. • Fasten seat belts.
• Parking on shoulders is permitted only if safe and
where doing so won't damage the turf or plants.
• Fires, including charcoal, are permitted only in
campgrounds and picnic areas. • All plants and animals
on the parkway are protected. Please watch for animals
as you drive. You may gather edible fruits, nuts, and
berries for your personal consumption only. Hunting is
prohibited. • Pets must be kept on a leash or under
physical con-trol. • Do not litter; use trash containers
and re-cycling bins at parking and picnic areas. • Do
not swim in parkway lakes and ponds. Swimming areas
are available in nearby U.S. Forest Service recreation
areas, state parks, and resorts. • Only boats without
motors or sails are permitted on Price Lake.
More Information
Blue Ridge Parkway
199 Hemphill Knob Road
Asheville, NC 28803
828-298-0398
TTY 828-298-0358
Printing of this brochure has been supported by the
Blue Ridge Parkway is one of over 390 parks in the
National Park System. The National Park Service cares
for these special places saved by the American people
so that all may experience our heritage. Visit
www.nps.gov to learn more about parks and National
Park Service
programs in America's communities.
The parkway follows the Appalachian Mountain
chain for seemingly endless views of parallel ranges
connected by cross ranges and scattered hills. From
Shenandoah National Park the park-way follows the
Blue Ridge, eastern rampart of the Appalachians, for
355 miles. For the remain-ing 114 miles it first skirts
the southern end of the massive Black Mountains,
named for the dark green spruce and fir that cover
them. Then it weaves through the Craggies, the
Pisgahs, the Balsams to end up in the Great Smokies.
Wildlife is a delight along the parkway. When the
Sun is high groundhogs sit erect, and chip-munks and
squirrels chitter and chatter. At night skunks, foxes,
opossums, and raccoons are seen along roadsides.
Look for white-tailed deer, tur-keys, and black bears
in early morning or eve-ning. Salamanders—less
conspicuous but often more colorful—thrive in this
moisture-rich envi-ronment. Over 100 bird species may
be seen during the spring migration.
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Crossing Grandfather's ridges on the Grandfather Trail is a rigorous challenge
295.1 to 298 Julian Price Memorial Park, an insurance executive's former retreat, offers a variety of short trails and a lake.
304.4 Linn Cove Viaduct, a design and engi-neering marvel, skirts the side of Grandfather Mountain. Visitor center and trails.
308.3 Flat Rock is well worth the walk for the superb view of Grandfather Mountain and Linville Valley.
316.3 Linville Falls roars through a dramatic, rugged gorge. Trails to overlooks.
320.7 Chestoa View trail provides outstand-ing scenery.
331 Museum of North Carolina Minerals interprets the state's mineral wealth with interactive exhibits.
The Park Watch Program allows you to help
protect yourself, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and
other visitors. To report criminal activity, accidents,
fires, and other emergencies call 1-800-
PARKWATCH (1-800-727-5928).
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Red Salamander
408.6 Mount Pisgah was part of the
Biltmore Estate. The estate became
the home of the first forestry school
in America as well as the nucleus of
the Pisgah National Forest.
422.4 Devils Courthouse is a
rugged, exposed mountaintop rich in
Cherokee traditions. A walk to its
bare rock summit rewards you with
a spectacular view of Pisgah
National Forest.
431 Richland Balsam self-guiding
trail takes you through a remnant
spruce-fir forest. The highest point
on the parkway, 6,074 feet.
451.2 Waterrock Knob affords a
panorama of the Great Smokies.
Visitor center, trail, com¬fort station,
exhibits.
458.2 Heintooga Overlook spur road
takes you to a mile-high overlook 1.3
miles from the parkway.
Mile 469 Southern End of the Blue
Ridge Parkway intersects U.S. 441 in
the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park and the Cherokee Reservation.
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Ground Hog
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Indigo Bunting
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Tulip Tree
Dogwood
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Mountain Ash
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Birch Trees
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Trillium
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Fire Pink
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Pink Lady’s Slipper
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Day Flower
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Crested Dwarf Iris
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Mountain Laurel
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Trout Lily
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Indian Paintbrush
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This brochure and other great Parkway items may be
bought at the Blue Ridge Parkway Store at the
following web address:
All contents of this brochure excluding photos are provided by the National Park Service for more information please
visit www.nps.gov/blri/
All contents of this brochure excluding photos are provided by the National Park Service for more information please visit www.nps.gov/blri/
