Stories from the Road
Showing Stories from the Road with the tag "Hiking Trails"
I bet most of us have an example of a vacation that didn’t go as planned. A road was closed, a parking lot was full, traffic slowed or halted your progress to your destination. It throws a wrench into your travel plans and can even derail your trip. So, what should you do to help prepare for the unexpected? Here are nine practical tips for planning a successful Blue Ridge Parkway road trip. Read More
The trees are budding, the sun is shining, rain is falling (plus a few snowflakes, too!), and spring ephemerals are starting to peek out on the forest floor. It is spring in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Some sections of the Parkway may still be closed due to winter weather at high elevations, but check out all these amazing spring activities that you can enjoy without needing to access the Parkway! Read More
When the temperature drops below freezing and ice forms on the Parkway, portions of the road are closed to vehicle travel until they are safe and clear. But visitors can still walk, bike or ski on closed portions of the Parkway or on accessible Parkway trails. Plus, there are lots of places to stay and things to do in nearby communities. Read More
Many activities in the regions surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway are available year-round for free. Special events, hiking, live music, volunteering and lots more are included in this article. Read More
When can you see rhododendrons, mountain laurel, and other blooms along the Parkway? Bloom times vary each year based on a variety of factors. Read on for more information! Read More
Because the Parkway is 469 miles long, it has the third largest geographical range of any national park and is one of the most biologically diverse units of the NPS. The road corridor and adjacent recreation areas provide a refuge for lots of native things: over 2,000 plant species, 30+ each of amphibians and reptiles, 60 different mammals, 225 bird species and almost a hundred different species of fish! Read More
When high elevation nighttime temperatures dip below freezing, sections of the Parkway may be closed due to ice and snow. The roadway is not plowed or salted so closed areas become wonderful winter playgrounds for pedestrians, cyclists, skiers and snowshoers alike. Read More
Numerous waterfalls are located throughout the Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway regions. Some are visible from the road and some require a hike. This list notes the location and ease of access for each waterfall. Read More
Transylvania County is North Carolina's Land of Waterfalls, offering access to 250 different waterfalls within just a few miles of each other. Some are along the road and some require a hike, but all are worth the visit. Exit the Parkway at MP 411.8 to see them for yourself! Read More
The Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding areas in Virginia provide a mecca of outdoor opportunities -- places to relax and enjoy nature from underneath a forest canopy, along a mountain stream or on a rocking chair on a covered front porch. Read More