• Explore Park - The first stop on our tour, this state-managed park features a visitor center with friendly staff and a gift shop showcasing local artists’ crafts. Ready to kick off the day with a hike?

This park offers a range of trails for all skill levels. There’s even a section with a zipline, obstacle course, and trampoline park. Plan to spend more time here based on your interests.

• The Quarry Overlook - Our first overlook today offers views of distant mountains and a working quarry.
• The Great Valley Overlook - The Great Valley stretches through the Appalachian Mountains from New York to Alabama. This overlook provides a stunning view of the valley below.

The valley was historically used by Native Americans as part of the Great Warrior path and by settlers heading to the frontier.

• Montvale Overlook - Another vantage point of the mountains, with the small town of Montvale visible in the distance.
• Pine Tree Overlook - Enjoy a beautiful 180-degree view interrupted only by a lone pine tree. Is this the tree that gives the overlook its name? No one knows for sure, but it makes for great photos.
• Porter Mountain View - As the name implies, this overlook offers a profile view of Porter’s Mountain. You can also see down into Goose Creek Valley, over 2000 feet below.
• Peaks of Otter Visitor Center - The first visitor center on the Blue Ridge Parkway today is also the most popular. It has everything you might need. There’s a museum dedicated to the natural history of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

A ranger-staffed desk is available for all your questions about the area. There’s a general store with road trip provisions and a gift shop for souvenirs. Restrooms are also available.

At the back of the Center, you’ll find an amphitheater hosting presentations and the start of two trails. The Elk Run trail is moderately easy and takes about 45 minutes.

The Harkening Hill trail is more challenging and takes around 5 hours. We recommend the Elk Run for a more manageable hike that lets you get back on the road.

• Peaks of Otter Lodge - This hotel is within sight of the Visitor Center and is the only food and lodging available directly on the Parkway.

Reservations are recommended for staying in one of the rooms, but any visitor can enjoy the restaurant. There’s sit-down dining and grab-and-go food available.

Don’t miss the view of the Peaks of Otter from behind the lodge! There’s also a peaceful walk around a man-made lake. It’s paved, shady, and ADA-compliant.

It’s the easiest walk on your tour today and should take about 30 minutes, depending on how much scenery you want to take in.

• Apple Orchard Falls Trailhead - Despite the name, there are no apples at the Apple Orchard Falls Trailhead. What you will find is a moderately strenuous walk down to a beautiful waterfall.

Though relatively small, the falls are picturesque and a great reward for navigating this well-marked trail. Remember, the walk down is easy, but the walk back up is the challenge!

• Apple Orchard Mountain Overlook - Unfortunately, there are no apples here either. However, this overlook offers a breathtaking view as it is the highest Parkway elevation in Virginia at 3950 feet above sea level.
• Thunder Ridge Overlook - One of the more popular overlooks on the Parkway, Thunder Ridge offers a panoramic view of Arnold Valley below. A stone platform allows for outstanding, unobstructed photos.

There is also a short 10-minute trail back to the parking lot and access to the Appalachian Trail for a longer hike.

• James River Visitor Center - This smaller Visitor Center is worth a visit. It is the lowest point on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. That’s right, we’ve gone from the highest to the lowest point in Virginia, all in one tour!

The Center features information panels about the natural history of the Parkway area and a ranger-staffed desk.

• Otter Lake Waterfalls - A moderately difficult loop trail around Otter Lake. There’s a stone bridge over the creek, a man-made waterfall, and a fishing pier (if you have the required license).
• Indian Gap Rocks - If you skip the longer trail at Otter Lake, Indian Gap Rocks is a great stop to stretch your legs. It’s under a mile out and back and features several rock formations.
• Buena Vista - Just a few minutes off the Parkway, Buena Vista is perfect for refueling. It also offers a variety of dining options, from local restaurants to national chains.
• Chimney Rock Mountain Overlook - This overlook features trees in the middle, giving you two different views for the price of one.
• Irish Creek Valley Overlook - From this overlook, you can see for miles. The Creek and valley were named after the Scotch-Irish immigrants who settled here in the 17th century.
• Yankee Horse Ridge Trailhead to Wigwam Falls - There are two short walks at Yankee Horse Ridge Trailhead. One follows the re-created tracks of an abandoned railroad used for logging.

To the left of the tracks, another trail leads to Wigwam Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls on this section of the Parkway.

• Whetstone Ridge Visitor Center - More of a rest stop than a true Visitor Center, Whetstone Ridge is only necessary if you need a clean restroom. There are no other amenities here.
• Big Spy Mountain Overlook - If you didn’t stretch your legs at Whetstone Visitor Center, you can do so here on a 10-minute short trail. It leads up a hill for a decent view of the surrounding mountains.
• 20-Minute Cliff Overlook - Named for an interesting light trick, from the nearby town of White Rock, the sun hits these rocks exactly 20 minutes before sundown in the summer.
• Sherando Lake - A hidden gem just off the Parkway, Sherando Lake offers several outdoor activities. There’s a beach for relaxing or playing in the sand, and two man-made lakes—one for fishing and the other for water sports like swimming, canoeing, or kayaking.

You’ll also find multiple trails for all difficulty levels and a Visitor Center with all the amenities you could need.

Parking at Sherando Lake costs $8 per vehicle.

• Raven’s Roost Overlook - One of the most popular overlooks on this section of the Parkway, Raven’s Roost offers a stunning panorama of the valley and mountains below, with two great spots for photos.

As the name suggests, ravens often roost nearby, so you might see them perched or soaring above the valley.

• Humpback Rocks Visitor Center and Picnic Area - The final Visitor Center on our tour today and the second-to-last stop. In addition to museum exhibits, it’s a great place to plan your next Virginia road trip. You can also pick up a last-minute souvenir or ask questions at the ranger station.

Outside, there are various trails, including a branch of the Appalachian Trail. There’s also an easy trail through a re-created settler’s farmstead.

Historical reenactors demonstrate techniques and give lectures on how settlers survived in the Blue Ridge region. A more challenging trail leads to the Humpback Rocks themselves, offering a 360-degree view as your reward.

• Afton Overlook - Our final stop, Afton Overlook, does not disappoint. It’s a great spot for a last look at the Blue Ridge Mountains, especially at sunset.

Ready to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia? Here’s everything you need to know before you go! And if you’re looking for the ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway road trip, check out the Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Bundle!

• Tours NEVER expire
• Offline Audio Guided Tour: Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
• Offline map (map and GPS work completely offline - no wifi or data needed)
• Take the tour when you want - download the tour and choose the day that works best for you
• Tour Start is Customizable
• Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
• Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
• Freedom to explore at your own pace - pick the stops you want, skip the ones you don’t
• Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive

• Meals and refreshment
• Parking Fees
• Entrance Fees