Along the Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is more than a road – it’s a journey! The Parkway has unique habitats that support rare and endangered plants and animals. Many species of animals and plants make their homes along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
A Blue Ridge Parkway visit may seem incomplete without the glimpses of white tailed deer, wild turkey, and perhaps a chance to see the elusive black bear.
Make a difference during your visit on behalf of the plant and wildlife species by observing the following tips:
Preservation
Many native plants on the Blue Ridge Parkway are threatened by foot traffic. The problem can be alleviated by the simple practice of staying on the trail.
There are several especially sensitive areas, including the Tanawha Trail around Grandfather Mountain, the Craggy Pinnacle Trail at Craggy Gardens, and at Devil’s Courthouse. Whether you suspect the presence of rare plants or not, please stay on the trail – if for no other reason than to protect all plants and to prevent erosion.
The wide range in elevation offers a tremendous variety of wildflowers during spring, summer, and fall months. While the summer wildflowers are blooming in the valleys, the spectacular spring wildflowers are just beginning to bloom on the high peaks.
Carolina Lily, Photo by Alex Armstrong
The same environmental variability that leads to such spectacular bloom displays in the spring and summer also contributes to autumn leaf color. Throughout the month of October the leaf color changes gradually, beginning in the high mountains and concluding at the lower slopes and valleys.
Streams, ponds and rivers give anglers a chance to try their luck for trout and, in some waters, bass and panfish. A state fishing license is required. Creel limits and other regulations vary. Inquire at visitor centers or Ranger stations.
Streams and lakes on the Blue Ridge Parkway are game fish waters for which Federal Regulations set forth in Title 36, Sections 2.3 and 7.34(b) of the Code of Federal Regulations are in effect.
Except in designated areas or as provided in Federal Regulations, fishing shall be in accordance with the laws and regulations of the state in which the water is located.
Waters that are not named in the “Special Waters” section in the Fishing Regulations section are subject to State General Fishing Regulations.
Best suggestion when fishing in Parkway waters is to contact the local ranger for special regulations/rules that apply to that specific fishing area for bait type, limits, etc. Regulations are normally posted at each Parkway fishing area, but they are different from place to place.
License requirements shall conform to those established by the State in which the water is located. No special trout license is required when fishing in Parkway waters. A fishing license from either state (Virginia or North Carolina) is valid in all Parkway waters.
The fishing season and hours shall conform to those established by the State except that fishing is prohibited one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise on all Parkway waters.
Creel and size limits shall conform to those established by the State unless the water is listed in the “Special Waters” section. Limits for “Special Waters” are posted at each lake shore or stream bank.
North Carolina
Basin Creek and its tributaries in Doughton Park, Boone Fork, Cold Prong Branch, Laurel Creek, Sims Creek, and Camp Creek.
Virginia
Abbott Lake, Little Stoney Creek, and Otter Lake.
Fishing is not permitted from the dam at Price Lake or from the footbridge in the Price Lake picnic area, or from the James River Bridge.
Bee Tree Creek, a tributary of Boone Fork, is closed for research purposes.
General Waters:
Special Waters:
Additional information about fishing Parkway waters can be found on the NPS BLRI website here.
Please note that swimming is prohibited on the Parkway. Several nearby state parks and national forests have developed swimming areas.
Related Info