Explore the Blue Ridge Parkway
Stories from the Road
Tales of Adventure & Natural Wonder
Parkway Stories
October 16, 2018
Written by Blue Ridge Parkway Association
The Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding mountain communities in both Virginia and North Carolina have a long and storied history as an arts and culture destination. Traditional artisans still practice their crafts, while up and coming artists forge ahead in new techniques and cutting edge creativity.
September 21, 2018
Written by Blue Ridge Parkway Association
Are you a business located in one of the many communities that trace the Blue Ridge Parkway along its 469 mile path through Virginia and North Carolina? If visitors find you after traveling the Parkway - or you wish they did - Blue Ridge Parkway Association membership would provide valuable marketing for your business or organization.
May 7, 2018
Written by Blue Ridge Parkway Association
Blue Ridge Parkway Association members and stakeholders enjoyed a warm welcome by Bedford Tourism for our Annual Meeting in May 2018. Our gracious host for meals, accommodations and the meeting was a Parkway favorite destination in Virginia, Peaks of Otter Lodge.
January 31, 2018
Written by Blue Ridge Parkway Association
Visit Hendersonville warmly welcomed the Blue Ridge Parkway Association's membership and Board for our 2018 Winter Meeting with opportunities to explore the countryside and a favorite destination in Henderson County.
December 27, 2017
Written by Robert Hull for The Guardian
"Amid the clutter of instruments in Barr’s Fiddle Shop on Galax’s Main Street, three guys sat playing bluegrass tunes on guitar. Sometimes, the owner Stevie Barr – a man who had played for the Queen when she visited Virginia in 2010 – would join in."
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.
