Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia

Afton Overlook - Afton Overlook offers a stunning final view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, especially at sunset.

Humpback Rocks Visitor Center and Mountain Farm - This is an excellent spot to plan your next Virginia road trip, pick up a last-minute souvenir, or get information from the ranger station.

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

Sherando Lake Recreation Area - A hidden gem just off the parkway, Sherando Lake offers a variety of 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.

20-Minute Cliff Overlook - Named for a unique light phenomenon, the sun hits these rocks exactly 20 minutes before sundown in the summer, as seen from the nearby town of White Rock.

Big Spy Mountain Overlook - If you missed stretching your legs at Whetstone Visitor Center, you can take a 10-minute short trail here that leads up a hill for a decent view of the surrounding mountains.

Whetstone Ridge Visitor Center - More of a quick stop than a full visitor center, Whetstone Ridge is mainly for those needing a clean restroom, as there are no other amenities.

Yankee Horse Ridge Trailhead to Wigwam Falls - This trailhead offers two short walks: one along the re-created tracks of an abandoned railroad used for logging.

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.

Chimney Rock Mountain Overlook - This overlook offers two different views thanks to the trees in the middle.

Buena Vista - Just a few minutes off the Parkway, Buena Vista is perfect for refueling and grabbing a bite to eat, with several local and national dining options.

Indian Gap Rocks - If you skip the longer trail at Otter Lake, Indian Gap Rocks is a great place to stretch your legs. It’s under a mile out and back and features several rock formations.

Otter Lake Waterfalls - A moderately difficult loop trail around Otter Lake, featuring a stone bridge over the creek, a man-made waterfall, and a fishing pier (license required).

James River Visitor Center - This smaller visitor center is worth a visit as it marks the lowest point on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway.

Thunder Ridge Overlook - A popular overlook offering a panoramic view of Arnold Valley below, with a stone platform perfect for uninterrupted photos.

Apple Orchard Mountain Overlook - Although there are no apples, this overlook offers a breathtaking view as it is the highest point on the Parkway in Virginia at 3950 feet above sea level.

Apple Orchard Falls Trailhead - Despite its name, there are no apples here. Instead, you’ll find a moderately strenuous walk down to a beautiful waterfall.

Peaks of Otter Lodge - Located near the Visitor Center, this hotel offers the only food and lodging directly on the Parkway. Reservations are recommended, but the restaurant is open to all visitors. Don’t miss the view of the Peaks of Otter from behind the lodge and the peaceful, ADA-compliant walk around a man-made lake.

Peaks of Otter Visitor Center - The most popular visitor center along the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering a museum on the natural history of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a ranger-staffed desk, a general store, a gift shop, restrooms, an amphitheater, and two trails: the moderately easy Elk Run trail and the more challenging Harkening Hill trail.

Porter Mountain View - This overlook offers a profile view of Porter’s Mountain and a view down into the Goose Creek Valley, over 2000 feet below.

Pine Tree Overlook - A beautiful 180-degree vista broken only by a lone pine tree, perfect for photographs.

Montvale Overlook - Offers a view of the mountains with the small town of Montvale in the distance.

The Great Valley Overlook - Provides a fantastic view of the Great Valley, which runs through the Appalachian Mountains from New York to Alabama. The valley was once used by Native Americans and settlers.

The Quarry Overlook - The first overlook on the tour, featuring views of distant mountains and a working quarry.

Explore Park - The first stop on the tour, this state-run park has a visitor center with helpful staff and a gift shop featuring local arts and crafts. It’s a great place to start the day with a hike.

Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville

Blowing Rock - Located at the lower end of the Moses H. Cone Estate, Bass Lake is a sparkling gem visible from Flat Top Manor. A one-mile walking path circles the lake, offering a view of the manor home. The nearby town of Blowing Rock features quaint shops, cafes, lodging, parks, and North Carolina’s oldest tourist attraction, The Blowing Rock, where “snow falls upside down.”

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park - The centerpiece of this park is Flat Top Manor, the magnificent summer home of textile giant Moses H. Cone and his wife Bertha.

Price Lake - The jewel of Julian Price Memorial Park, Price Lake offers a lovely walking path and opportunities for canoeing or kayaking, though swimming is not allowed.

Rough Ridge Lookout - A top spot for viewing fall colors, Rough Ridge Lookout on the Tanawha Trail offers multiple viewpoints along a short 10-minute hike to a wooden boardwalk.

Linn Cove Viaduct - An engineering marvel, the Linn Cove Viaduct is a frequently photographed bridge that appears to float around Grandfather Mountain on tall concrete piers.

Grandfather Mountain - A must-see destination showcasing the beauty and splendor of Grandfather Mountain.

Flat Rock Trail - A hidden gem, this short, easy 0.6-mile loop trail offers views of interesting trees, plants, and geological features called “bathtubs.”

Lost Cove Cliffs Overlook - One of three places to view the mysterious Brown Mountain Lights, though tall trees block most of the view.

Linville Falls - Trail and Waterfall - The Linville Falls Visitor Center features a small gift shop, restrooms, maps, and hiking information for the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. Trails for the iconic Linville Falls begin behind the visitor center.

Bear Den Overlook - This overlook has a fascinating history, built on a spot where black bears once had a den.

Heffner Gap Overlook - Another spot where the Overmountain Men passed on their way to the Battle of King’s Mountain during the Revolutionary War.

North Cove Overlook - Offers a view of the Orchards at Altapass, which were planted over a hundred years ago by the Clinchfield Railroad company.

The Orchard at Altapass - This orchard grows heirloom apples and preserves regional traditions and culture. Open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 30, it hosts educational and entertaining activities for all ages, including live music, apple picking, a model railway, walking trails, and “Hey” Rides. The General Store offers fresh, hot apple pie alamode.

Museum of North Carolina Minerals - Located in the heart of the Spruce Pine Mining District, this museum features interactive exhibits about North Carolina minerals and their mining history. Open year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.), the museum also hosts a re-enactment of the Overmountain Men in mid-September.

Little Switzerland - This Alpine-themed village offers lodging, shopping, and food. Emerald Village, a nearby tourist attraction, offers family-friendly mining activities, including panning for gold, digging for gemstones, and touring exhibits and a historic mine. Open daily between April 1 and October 31.

Crabtree Falls - A beautiful 70-foot cascading waterfall, Crabtree Falls is a popular destination for hikers. The moderate three-mile loop trail includes steep sections with rocks and roots, with a shorter in-and-out option available.

Crabtree Falls Picnic Area - Even if you aren’t hungry, this scenic picnic area is worth a visit, offering tables with a view.

Black Mountains Overlook - Offers a stunning view of the Black Mountain Range from below.

Laurel Knob Overlook - Features a gnarly dead tree that makes a great photo backdrop.

Green Knob Overlook - Featured in the opening scene of the 1992 movie “The Last of the Mohicans,” this overlook offers sweeping views.

Mount Mitchell State Park - Located in the high-elevation forests of the Black Mountains, this park offers free entry, several hiking trails, a museum, gift shop, restrooms, a seasonal restaurant, concessions, and a visitor center. The short walk to the 6,684-foot summit offers spectacular views.

Craggy Gardens Visitor Center - Open seasonally from April 15 to November 13, this center highlights the unique ecology of the rhododendron heath bald. After visiting, take the Craggy Gardens Trail to a secluded mountaintop meadow or hike to the top of Craggy Pinnacle for panoramic views.

Lane Pinnacle - Features a view of Lane Pinnacle, a small peak named after early settler Charles Lane. The drive gradually ascends into the mountains, where fog and mist can create a magical ride.

Tanbark Ridge Overlook - The first scenic overlook on this section of the parkway, with many more to come. Feel free to stop at any or all of them, even if they aren’t mentioned on the tour.

The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild) - Open year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this center showcases Appalachian arts and crafts and houses the headquarters of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. A gift shop sells handmade crafts, and you can hike a section of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail behind the center.

Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center - The official starting point of the tour, with narration beginning on the parkway heading north immediately after the visitor center.

Blue Ridge Parkway South

The North Carolina Arboretum - A 400-acre park with cultivated gardens, a Bonsai tree display, and hiking trails. There’s a small cafe for a light meal or beverage. Ideal for easy or accessible walks through beautiful gardens and trees.

Bad Fork Valley Overlook - The first overlook after gaining elevation from Asheville, with many more to come.

Beaver Dam Gap Overlook - Offers lovely views in both directions from the parking lot, as it is located on a ridgeline.

Mt. Pisgah Trailhead - A 4.5-mile round-trip hike to the top of Mt. Pisgah, rated moderate to strenuous, offering a rewarding view when the summit is not covered by clouds.

Pisgah Inn - A touch of civilization with a restaurant, shop, and wayside building. Check out the observation deck and rocking chairs behind the restaurant for a marvelous view of the mountains.

Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower - A moderate hike uphill along an old gravel road, ending at an old steel lookout tower with outstanding views. The hike is about a mile and a half round trip.

Cradle of Forestry in America - A museum dedicated to the birth of forestry education, with interactive exhibits and easy, paved trails passing the buildings from the school.

Sliding Rock - A gently-graded waterfall that doubles as a natural waterslide. Lifeguards are on duty during the busy summer months.

Looking Glass Falls - A 60-foot waterfall visible from the road, with no need for a hike.

Coon Tree Picnic Area - Features flush toilets and picnic tables, and is a handy spot to turn around and park for Looking Glass Falls.

Skinny Dip Falls - An easy to moderate mile-round trip trail to a small waterfall and pool. The trailhead is across from Looking Glass Rock Overlook, which offers a great view of the granite monolith.

Graveyard Fields - Named for a series of natural disasters, this popular hiking spot features two waterfalls. The first is on a fairly easy loop trail, and the second requires an additional mile and a half on a connected spur road.

Black Balsam Knob - A moderately difficult one-and-a-half-mile round-trip hike offering a 360-degree panorama of the mountains.

Devil’s Courthouse - Enjoy the impressive cliff from the overlook or hike to the top for views of four states. The steep hike is under a mile round trip and takes about 45 minutes.

Cowee Mountain Overlook - Offers an unobstructed view of miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Richland Balsam Nature Loop Trail - A moderately difficult one-and-a-half-mile loop through the forest, offering a nice walk through the woods.

Richland Balsam Overlook - The highest point on the Parkway at 6053 feet, with a sign marking the spot for a popular photo opp.

Lone Bald Overlook - Offers a nice layered look of the mountains in the distance.

Standing Rock Overlook - Features a large standalone boulder near the entrance, popular for photos.

Waterrock Knob - One of the best views on the Parkway from over 6,000 feet up, with picnic tables, a small visitor center, and a one-mile round-trip hike to the top of Waterrock Knob.

Thunder Struck Ridge Overlook - Offers a splendid view of the layered mountains and valleys beyond.

Soco Falls - A double waterfall visible a few steps from the parking lot, with the best view at the base of the falls after a short scramble.

Bunches Bald Overlook - A lower elevation overlook, possibly a great spot for fall colors. After completing the tour, enjoy nearby Smoky Mountain National Park!

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