Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile scenic road managed by the U.S. National Park Service that links Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. It follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is designed for scenic driving and outdoor recreation.

The route features numerous overlooks, pullouts, picnic areas, and trailheads; its highest elevation is 6,053 feet at Richland Balsam. The parkway is widely used for sightseeing drives, hiking on interconnected trails, and access to historic sites and cultural attractions.

Construction began in 1935 as a Depression-era public works project and continued over several decades; the roadway and its facilities were developed incrementally and are administered by the National Park Service. Many of the parkway’s historic structures, visitor centers, and roadside features date to mid-20th century programs.

Geographically the parkway runs along the Appalachian Blue Ridge from northern Virginia through western North Carolina, passing near towns such as Waynesboro, Roanoke, Asheville, and Cherokee and traversing primarily forested mountain landscapes.

• Length: Runs for approximately 469 miles and is managed by the U.S. National Park Service.
• Best time to visit: Best visited in autumn for peak fall foliage, with colorful displays typically from late September through November depending on elevation.
• Highest point: The road's highest point reaches 6,053 feet at Richland Balsam, which provides some of the broadest mountain views along the route.

What to See #

• Richland Balsam: One of the parkway's highest points at 6,053 feet, offering expansive views of surrounding peaks and forested slopes.
• Mabry Mill: A historic gristmill and sawmill that is among the most photographed sites on the route, with a waterwheel and restored mill buildings.
• Craggy Gardens: A high-elevation area known for spring rhododendron blooms and short alpine trails, popular for scenic overlooks.
• Moses H. Cone Memorial Park: A large estate with a historic manor house and an extensive network of carriage trails used for hiking and horseback riding.