Blue Ridge Parkway
NC,VA
About Blue Ridge Parkway
A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other: a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special.
Things To Do
Showing 6 of 20
Spot an Elk on the Heintooga Spur Road
Heintooga Ridge Road on the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a good place to spot elk.
Become a Blue Ridge Parkway Junior Ranger
Becoming a Blue Ridge Parkway Junior Ranger is exciting and rewarding! Pick up your Junior Ranger Folder and instructions at any park visitor center. Then travel the parkway to get site-specific activity sheets along your journey.
Stargaze at Waterrock Knob
Stargazing on the Blue Ridge Parkway can be an amazing experience. Waterrock Knob at Milepost 451.2 is a great place to enjoy the calm quiet of the night and contemplate the universe as you gaze at the starry sky that surrounds you.
Watch Peregrine Falcons at Devils Courthouse
Peregrine falcon, once near extinction, now can be viewed in the skies over the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Watch for Hawks at the Mills River Overlook
The raptors are coming! And they’ve got the “kettle” on!
OVVI Junior Ranger
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail Junior Ranger booklet and directions.
Available Activities
Weather
The weather on the parkway can vary widely along its 469-mile route. Precipitation is possible any time of the year. Winter can be cold and snowy, especially at the higher elevations.
Spring and fall can have large temperature swings, from near freezing to over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are hot in the lower elevations, but the highest elevations remain cooler. Summertime thunderstorms are common, so be prepared for weather changes.
Getting There
The parkway is a 469-mile-long scenic road connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Numerous federal and state highways provide access to the parkway. Milepost markers are positioned every mile along the parkway, starting at 0 in Virginia and ending at 469 in North Carolina.
We suggest using a map to identify the area you want to visit, as GPS directions often do not incorporate the parkway's milepost system.
Plan Your Visit
Let Roamze help you plan the perfect trip to Blue Ridge Parkway with AI-powered itineraries.
Start PlanningHours
Parkway Road Hours
The road is open 24 hours a day, weather permitting. Road closures due to inclement weather occur most frequently during winter. Sections of the road may also be closed during road maintenance projects. Check our road closure map to verify that the parkway is open before traveling. Visitor centers and other facilities have hours and seasons that vary. Most picnic areas, campgrounds, and visitor centers are closed from the beginning of November until early May.
