Explore the Blue Ridge Parkway
Stories from the Road
Tales of Adventure & Natural Wonder
Parkway Stories
January 13, 2022
Written by Blue Ridge Parkway Association
When the temperature drops below freezing and ice forms on the Parkway, portions of the road are closed to vehicle travel until they are safe and clear. But visitors can still walk, bike or ski on closed portions of the Parkway or on accessible Parkway trails. Plus, there are lots of places to stay and things to do in nearby communities.
January 6, 2022
Written by FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge
The Blue Ridge Parkway, the beautiful route that approximately 15 million people visit each year, requires a lot of people to keep running. A key piece to this is volunteers - unpaid and serving out of love for the Parkway.
December 28, 2021
Written by Blue Ridge Parkway Association
Visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway for the holidays (or lucky enough to be a local) and looking for unique ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve? We’ve got your guide for seeing in the New Year at one of these celebrations in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
November 18, 2021
Written by Blue Ridge Parkway Association
Spending the holidays in the Blue Ridge Mountains brings to mind cozy fireside nights under homespun quilts, a brisk family outing to find the perfect Christmas tree on a local farm, and the very the best slopes for skiing and sledding. We've rounded up all this and more in our guide to festive winter fun in the communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
November 11, 2021
Written by Blue Ridge Parkway Association
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.
Parkway Itineraries
Some sample Itineraries to get you started
Looping through the Blue Ridge Mountain range, the Claw of the Dragon is one of the most popular destinations in the South among motorcycle enthusiasts.
A two-day trip from Afton Mountain and Rockfish Gap (Milepost 0) to the Peaks of Otter (Milepost 86) and on to Roanoke, the largest metropolitan area on the Parkway, offers plenty of time to experience this region and highlight hiking, including magnificent views of the flora and fauna of Appalachian hardwood forests and sweeping vistas of the Great Valley of Virginia.
A two-day trip along from Roanoke (Milepost 120) South to the Virginia state line (Milepost 216) is highlighted by intensive exposure to the Blue Ridge cultural landscape. The rural experience on the Plateau Region of the Parkway and on adjacent lands highlights mills, music, and agriculture, demonstrating how people have interacted with the landscape over time. The opportunity to camp overnight in two iconic Blue Ridge towns will make this a memorable visit.
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.
A one-day trip through the Pisgah District is a long drive that comes with unique rewards. From Mount Mitchell (Milepost 355.3) to places like Craggy Gardens (Milepost 364.3) and Devil’s Courthouse (Milepost 422.2), you'll experience long vistas across rugged and remote areas, a feel of wilderness, and amazing biodiversity.
