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Sparta & Alleghany County

About Sparta & Alleghany County

Alleghany County, home of Cumberland Knob (Milepost 217.5), marks the birthplace of the Blue Ridge Parkway. With 32 picturesque miles, Alleghany has more Parkway miles than any county along the route and has been central to the area’s history and heritage since 1935. Doughton Park (MP 238.5 – 241), the Parkway’s largest recreation area, boasts hiking, historical sites, mountain meadows, and incredible 360-degree views of the mountains and lowlands.

At the heart of the county, Sparta is a delightful small town with a historic courthouse and Main Street, charming shops and eateries, and pastoral landscapes of farms, Christmas tree groves, and woodlands.

Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to explore here. The New River flows along the county’s western and northern edges, perfect for kayaking and fishing. To the east, Stone Mountain State Park features a striking 600-foot granite dome, popular with rock climbers and hikers, plus trails, waterfalls, and historic sites.

Whether exploring the Parkway, wandering Sparta’s downtown, or hiking Stone Mountain, visitors will enjoy the natural beauty, welcoming spirit, and rich Appalachian history.

the place where the first shovel hit the ground to begin Blue Ridge Parkway construction on September 11, 1935. For more than 85 years, the Parkway has been a part of the daily lives of residents of the County and Sparta, NC, the county seat. Today, Sparta is a bustling small town and the hub of this rural community. The Courthouse is surrounded by the shops and stores of old downtown. It is surrounded by the Alleghany countryside, much of it still in pasture, fields, Christmas tree farms, and woodland that reflect the same scenic beauty for which the Parkway is so well known.

The New River lies along Alleghany County’s western and northern borders. At the other end of the county, a 600-foot granite dome – namesake of Stone Mountain State Park – is surrounded by rock climbers, waterfalls, hikers, picnickers, and historic sites.

Area Visitor Centers

Lodging, Dining, & Things to Do

Stories from Sparta & Alleghany County

Man Fly Fishing on a river in McDowell County.
Where can I fish in the Blue Ridge Parkway region?
November 11, 2021
Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Fishing, Nature & Outdoors
There are many places in the Blue Ridge region where you can snag a prime fishing spot if you know where to look and what regulations to follow.
A purple women's sweater hangs over a black shirt and necklace in a store.
Tis the Season to Shop Online
December 4, 2020
Online Store, General & Country Stores, Apparel, Gems & Minerals, Home & Garden, Local Food
Many of the businesses along the Blue Ridge Parkway remain open year-round and offer such eclectic merchandise that you can shop for everyone on your holiday gift list from the comfort of your home and have the gifts delivered to your door or directly to the recipient.

Recommended Itineraries

Row upon row of foggy ridges are visible at Thunder Hill, NC in the Parkway's Highlands region.
Highlands Region Weekend Getaway
Region: Virginia , North Carolina
Duration:2 - 3 days
Accessible Facilities, History & Heritage, Hiking Trails, Arts & Culture, Home & Garden, Family-friendly, Local Food
A two-day trip through the Parkway's Highlands district reveals the shift from flat plateau to mountain ridges. Find yourself in the rolling pastures of Doughton Park (Milepost 240 – 245) or exploring the Grandfather Mountain corridor (Milepost 295 – 300) or the rugged Linville Gorge (Milepost 317) with a night in North Carolina’s High Country of Boone or Blowing Rock.