Blue Ridge Parkway: Fireflies and Endless Mountains
Last Updated: April 6th 2024.
Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is like a dream come true. Before we embarked on our road trip through the USA, north to south, I hadn’t heard of this drive, but I’m so glad I did my research and we drove this National Scenic Byway. The views on the Blue Ridge Mountains are to dream of. Next to the endless views there’s so much to do on and off the parkway, you could spend weeks here.
Where is the Blue Ridge Parkway?
The Blue Ridge Parkway starts at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the south all the way to Shenandoah National Park in the North. This way the parkway runs through 2 states: North Carolina and Virginia. The road goes all the way through the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is part of the larger Appalachian Mountains.
Some facts about the Blue Ridge Parkway
They started constructing the parkway on June 30th of 1936 and finished in 1987. It was built so that Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park would be connected with each other. The road is 755 kilometers (469 miles) long. The National Parkway is managed by the NPS (National Park System), and receives over 14 million visitors a year, making it one of the most popular attractions of the NPS. The route is known as one of the most picturesque roads of the USA, making it perfect for a Blue Ridge Road trip.
The most visitors come during the fall to see the spectacular fall foliage. However the fall foliage is not all there is to see. The oldest river of North America is here: New River. Further more there’s the highest mountain peak east of the Mississippi: Mount Mitchell.
Blue Ridge Parkway Top 10
There are numerous things to do on and close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here’s our top 10 of things to do while driving the parkway. The top 10 is also perfect if your driving with kids in the car.
1. Natural Bridge
Just off the parkway is Natural Bridge State Park, a fun detour for about 3 hours. Admire the natural bridge that’s really high and learn about the indigenous people to the area. We loved it here, saw lots of butterflies and admired the beautiful views on the Blue Ridge Mountains.
2. Grandfather Mountain
Another highlight just off the parkway. Grandfather Mountain has so much to offer. We stayed 2 hours, but you can be here all day if you want. There’s plenty of hiking opportunities, rocks to climb on and let’s not forget the Mile High Swinging Bridge. A bridge spanning a gorge, on which you have gorgeous 360 degree views.
3. The Blowing Rock
A rock only 3 miles of the parkway in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The rock is surrounded by a myth; a love story. Of a Chickasaw girl and a Cherokee boy. The boy had to leave, but one day he was blown back onto the rock. And from that day on the wind has blown from the valley below onto the rock. The cliff has strong wind gusts and beautiful views.
4. Mount Mitchell State Park
An International Biosphere Reserve with lots of hiking opportunities. The state park is right on the Blue Ridge Parkway. On top is a restaurant with grand views on the mountains. The elevation of Mount Mitchell is 6.648 ft, so good for perfect views.
5. Sunset
Don’t miss watching a sunset on the parkway. It’s worth staying up for and driving in the dark afterwards. We did it one day, stopped at an overlook and watched with other people.
6. Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
The visitor center is worth a stop, they provide information on the origins, the nature and what there is to see on and along the parkway. Take 20 to 30 minutes for the center. Stopping here provides background to the road you’re driving.
7. Roanoke River Trail + Thunder Ridge
One of the many trails on the parkway. This is a short hike through nature, which takes about 20 minutes. It first leads to a pedestrian overlook, the Thunder Ridge. After this you can take the loop trail and be back in 10 minutes or follow the path further along the rocky cliffs. This takes 20 minutes and follows the river gorge, with a view on a dam and waterfall.
8. Overlooks
Almost every overlook is worth a stop, but one has more beautiful views then the other. We can recommend stopping at Cumberland Knob, Piney Spur Overlook and Grandview Overlook. Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway in itself is worth it’s time, for the endless views on the mountains.
9. Northwest Trading Post
This trading post is a fun, short stop. It sells nice souvenirs and delicious goodies. We loved stopping here in Glendale Springs. It’s directly on the road.
10. Rail Fences
At Groundhog Hill Picnic Area, we stopped for about 10 minutes. It’s directly situated at the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can see all the different rail fences that there are on the parkway and some information on each of them. Next to that there’s a tower with a 360 degree view.
What else is there?
The Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia part has more attractions to offer like Virginia’s Explore Park and Mabry Mill. The North Carolina part has even more to offer: Linville Falls Trail; Moses H. Cone Memorial Park; Southern Highland Craft Guild; Dutch Creek Trails; Craggy Pinnacle Hike at Craggy Gardens; The Biltmore; The North Carolina Arboretum; Rainbow Falls at Gorges State Park; Looking Glass Rock; Julian Price Memorial Park; Linn Cove Viaduct; The Orchard at Altapass; Folk Art Center; Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park and Sliding Rock. And last but not least Dill Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the US. Gatlinburg, one of the best cities to visit in the USA isn’t that far away from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is open 24 hours, it doesn’t have an entrance fee. Anyone can drive on the road.
Where to stay
We drove the parkway in 4 days, which meant a lot of driving each day. We stayed at 3 hotels along the way. All 3 were relatively cheap. For a retro motel experience there’s the Budget Inn in the town of Buena Vista in Virginia. The motel is a little of the parkway, but not super far.
Our number one place to stay was Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground in Fancy Gap in Virginia. We stayed at a cabin, but this place is also perfect for camping on Blue Ridge Parkway. From here you have a perfect view on the Blue Ridge Mountains and can enjoy watching fireflies, rabbits and deer.
We wanted to stay at Pisgah Inn in Canton, directly on the parkway. Sadly it was full. You have to book the Pisgah Inn in advance.
In North Carolina we stayed at Best Western Asheville. Somewhat off the parkway, in the town of Asheville, with great views surrounding the hotel.
Conclusion
As you can see there’s plenty to do for a long road trip or for several weekend getaways. Drive the parkway at once or in parts, it’s all possible. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of 101 Scenic Drives of National Geographic, one of the must-read books on our road trip books list.
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57 Comments
Jeff Albom
The endless landscape of trees would make this route a marvellous trip. I’d love to see the fall colors and do a bit of hiking.
Cosette
Yes, those endless trees and mountains are so beautiful. We loved driving here.
Lisa | Handmade in Israel
How beautiful! We also have a natural bridge like that here. I want to sit in one of those rocking chairs and enjoy the views. #WanderfulWednesday
Cosette
Were is the natural bridge in Israel? Those rocking chairs are indeed inviting?
Shalzmojo
Oh my god- what a lovely park and those trails look so perfect. I can just imagine the fun a group of friends/family can have in this region. Wish I could go for a walk here. Your boy looks cute in that pic 🙂
Cosette
Yes, I think the Blue Ridge Parkway is suited for groups of friends and for families or solo travelers.
Josy A
Oooh I love these kind of amazing drives! The lookouts, and possible hikes sound right up my street! It sounds like a perfect area to explore on a road trip. 🙂
Cosette
Definitly perfect area for a road trip. We did it during a greater road trip through the USA.
Alanna Koritzke
I’m hoping to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway this fall! So these are great tips. I definitely want to see that natural bridge!
Cosette
Oh, would love to drive the Blue Ridge PArkway during the fall. The colors should be amazing. Hope you get to drive it this fall.
Kelly
So many layers of mountains, the views here look amazing!
Cosette
Yes, those layers of mountains were stunning. They went on and on. Giving the blue color.
Amy Alton
We drove from Norfolk to Dallas this year and made a overnight stop in Ashville. The surrounding area is just so beautiful. I wish we could have made a more leisurely time of it, but, COVID….
Cosette
Yes, let’s hope for after corona times.
Poppy Mae Higgins
Blue ridge parkway looks beautiful! Wish I lived close enough to visit
Cosette
Yes, me too, but with an ocean between.
SHANY
I can’t believe I haven’t heard about this place before! The Natural Bridge is amazing and the driving there looks incredible. Thank you for sharing this
Cosette
I hadn’t heard of it either, before we went to this area, but it’s so beautiful.
Sophie
I hadn’t heard of Blue Ridge Parkway either but it looks gorgeous. That natural arch is wild!! What an amazing place to explore our in nature.
Cosette
Yes, definitly gorgeous and the Natural Bridge is great, was fun to explore.
CASS
This makes me yearn for and be excited for nature from my lockdown, even though it looks different here. Felt a deep breath looking through your photos 🙂
Cosette
Luckily the pictures gave you that during your lockdown, hope you get to explore soon again.
MacKenzie
The Blue Ridge Parkway is simply amazing. I haven’t seen enough of it even though I’m only a few hours away. And that bridge a Grandfather Mountain scared THE CRAP outta me, but I’m proud to say I did it 😀 I love these other ideas for things to do along the parkway, so thank you.
Cosette
Can imagine that even living close by, there’s still things to explore along the parkway. We loved our time there. Good of you to do the bridge at Grandfather mountain. We loved it, we only always have to stop our son from running over it.
shayne
great information. i have never been there before. now i need to add it to my list
Cosette
Yes, it was one of the highlights on our USA road trip.
Tania Muthusamy
What a lovely road trip for a few days. The scenery and walking trails are amazing. The Mile High Swinging Bridge looks like fun too.
Cosette
It’s perfect for a road trip from a few days to a week. The Mile High Swinging Bridge was perfect with its views.
Julie
Very informative and inspiring post! The views look lovely! I would love to sit on one of those chairs sipping wine and looking at the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Cosette
Yes, those chairs were perfectly placed.
Carrie Mann
Ahhhh I love the Parkway! As an Asheville local I know the NC section really well but I still haven’t driven the VA section. I’ve heard there’s amazing backpacking in the Roanoke area off the parkway though. Jeeze driving the whole thing at once might be real stressful…so many cyclists to dodge!
Cosette
The cyclist to dodge weren’t that many. Although there were a few every day. We loved driving it and wished we could have had more than 3 and a half days. You should definitly also drive the Virginia section.
Kylie
Aww this is so beautiful!! Nature always provides 🙂
Cosette
Yes, nature is the best, isn’t it.
Katie
Such a gorgeous part of the world! Luray Caverns is another awesome Blue Ridge attraction to check out, incredible caves and gorgeous landscapes.
Cosette
Thanks, hadn’t heard of the Luray Caverns, have to look them up.
Rob + Ann @TravelLatte
The Blue Ridge Parkway is such an iconic drive! We’re planning an autumn trip through the parks, so we can catch all of the fall colors. Thanks for the tip on the campground – gotta love any place called Fancy Gap!! 😉 Adding a few things here to our planning. 🙂
Cosette
Oh, jeaulous that you get to drive it during the fall, it should be gorgeous. And Fancy Gap campground was the best.
Jessi (Two Feet, One World)
Wow I’d love to do this road trip along the Blue Ridge! So many gorgeous spots… and that sunset <3
Cosette
Yes, there’re so many spots where you want to stop the car.
Sara
This place looks just gorgeours! I love all the layers of greens and blues in your 4th photo, it reminds me a little bit of the Blue Mountains in Australia 🙂
Cosette
Yes, some places remind you of others, don’t they. I’ve never been to the Blue Mountains in Australia, so I can’t compare.
globeloper.com
Beautiful pictures. It has been on list for while. Heard it is great in Fall too.
Cosette
Yes, it must be really beautiful with fall colors!
Kaitlyn
Your sunset photos are absolutely stunning!
Cosette
Thank you!
Krista
There are just so many beautiful places to see here that I wouldn’t know where to start! I’d love to go hiking here and spend a few days exploring the area too.
Amy
I love your images. I went here as a child, but as an adult I would like to return, but I don’t like driving in the mountains.
Ivan Kralj
What a beautiful road trip! I love that natural bridge, quite impressive!
These mountains sound like a fascinating place to visit. Thank you for sharing your experience and tips!
Sonia
This is a great guide to visit such a beautiful area. Makes me want to visit again.
Lorraine Caputo
What a fantastic roadtrip!
Her Asian Adventures
Another place to my USA bucket list! Seriously, this looks amazing! I could totally see myself there! Now, I need to copy your whole USA roadtrip
Under flowery sky
Amazing rolling mountains and place to watch the sunset, such a natural wonder…
Katie
I have been wanting to experience the Blue Ridge Mountains first-hand for a few years. After reading your post, I will be moving it up towards the top of my travel bucket list. The sunset alone looks like it would be worth the trip!
Taylor
How far from Asheville is the Natural Bridge? We missed that on our cross country road trip that had a day on the blue ridge parkway. It was also unfortunately super clouded in.
Cosette
About 309 miles, it’s in the state of Virginia. We luckily only had clouds and mist on our last part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Christy S.
My husband grew up in North Carolina and was lucky to have this in his backyard. I’d love to do the drive as it looks like a great road trip.