The Blue Ridge Parkway

How to Navigate the Parkway

Mileposts (MP): Think of them as your compass. Every landmark, trailhead, overlook, and visitor center is marked by its milepost.

Northern Gateway (Milepost 0): Rockfish Gap, Virginia, near the entrance to Shenandoah National Park. Southern Gateway (Milepost 469): Cherokee, North Carolina, just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Famous stops with Milepost (MP) listed include Mabry Mill (Milepost 176), Linn Cove Viaduct (Milepost 304), Linville Falls (Milepost 316), Folk Art Center near Asheville (Milepost 382), and Mount Pisgah (Milepost 407). Towns like Roanoke, Boone, Little Switzerland, and Asheville make excellent bases for exploring sections of the Parkway.

Asheville: The Parkway’s Cultural Hub

If you’re driving the Parkway, Asheville, NC is the perfect basecamp. The city blends mountain charm with a thriving arts and food scene. Don’t Miss the Biltmore Estate, America’s largest private home. Touring the house is impressive, but many locals say the gardens and winery are the real treat.

Overlooks

These are spots where you can pull-off in your car. Where you can pause the drive and take in sweeping views of valleys, ridgelines, and distant peaks. Here are the overlooks near Asheville.

Craggy Gardens Visitor Center & Pinnacle Overlook (MP 364.5–367.6)

Famous for blooming Catawba rhododendrons in June, with views stretching to Mount Mitchell.

Lane Pinnacle Overlook (MP 372.1)

Expansive mountain vistas just north of Asheville, especially striking in autumn.

Mount Pisgah Overlook (MP 407.6)

Great view of the iconic peak, and the trailhead to hike it starts right across the road.

Virginia Highlights

Humpback Rocks (MP 6)

A steep but short hike (about 1 mile) rewards you with panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley. The reconstructed 19th-century farm at the base gives a glimpse into mountain life.

Mabry Mill (MP 176.1)

Probably the most photographed spot on the Parkway. The working gristmill still grinds cornmeal, and the adjacent Mabry Mill Restaurant serves Appalachian comfort food — their buckwheat pancakes are legendary.

Blue Ridge Music Center (MP 213)

A Smithsonian-affiliated museum celebrating the roots of bluegrass and old-time music. In summer, live concerts spill out onto the lawn in the evenings.

Overlooks

These are spots where you can pull-off in your car. Where you can pause the drive and take in sweeping views of valleys, ridgelines, and distant peaks. Here are the overlooks in Virginia.

Ravens Roost Overlook (MP 10.7) – A favorite near the northern entrance, with dramatic views of the Shenandoah Valley and rock outcrops that are popular with photographers.

Peaks of Otter (MP 86) – A classic stop with views of Sharp Top and Flat Top mountains, plus access to the Peaks of Otter Lodge and hiking trails.

Rocky Knob (MP 169) – Wide open pastures framed by rolling hills, often dotted with grazing cattle in summer.

North Carolina Highlights

Linville Falls (MP 316.4)

Several trails lead to overlooks of this iconic waterfall tumbling into Linville Gorge. The Erwins View Trail is a favorite, offering progressively higher viewpoints.

Grandfather Mountain (MP 305)

Famous for its Mile High Swinging Bridge and rugged alpine trails. Admission fees apply, but the dramatic views and resident wildlife habitats (black bears, otters, cougars) make it worthwhile.

Folk Art Center (MP 382, Asheville)

Home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild, this center showcases fine Appalachian crafts such as pottery, weaving, woodwork and often has live artist demonstrations.

Graveyard Fields (MP 418.8)

A high-elevation valley filled with wild blueberries in late summer and stunning foliage in fall. The Lower Falls Trail (about 3.5 miles) is a popular family hike with waterfalls.

Mount Pisgah (MP 407.6)

The hike to Pisgah’s summit is just under 3 miles but steep; the reward is a sweeping view you might recognize from Asheville postcards. Across the road, the historic Pisgah Inn offers hearty meals and one of the best dining views anywhere on the Parkway.

Overlooks

These are spots where you can pull-off in your car. Where you can pause the drive and take in sweeping views of valleys, ridgelines, and distant peaks. Here are the overlooks in North Carolina.

Linn Cove Viaduct Overlook (MP 304.4) - The Parkway’s engineering icon, curving around Grandfather Mountain. The best photos capture the sweeping bridge against fall foliage.

Rough Ridge Overlook (MP 302.8) – Short hike from the pull-off takes you to boardwalks and rocky outcrops with some of the Parkway’s most jaw-dropping panoramas.

Beacon Heights (MP 305.2) – Less crowded than Rough Ridge, with a gentle hike leading to flat rock slabs overlooking Grandfather Mountain and Pisgah National Forest.

Cherokee: Parkway’s Southern Gateway

At the Parkway’s end, the town of Cherokee offers a deep dive into Native American history and culture. The Museum of the Cherokee People tells the story of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, while the outdoor drama Unto These Hills has been performed every summer since 1950. Nearby, Mingo Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the southern Appalachians just a short but steep climb up 160 steps.

Overlooks

These are spots where you can pull-off in your car. Where you can pause the drive and take in sweeping views of valleys, ridgelines, and distant peaks. Here are the overlooks in the Southern Parkway.

Devil’s Courthouse (MP 422.4) – A stark rock face tied to Cherokee legend. A steep half-mile hike from the overlook brings you to a summit with 360° views, sometimes reaching into four states.

Waterrock Knob (MP 451.2) – One of the last major overlooks before Cherokee. A short but steep trail climbs to the summit for sunrise and sunset views that are hard to beat.

Places to Eat Along the Way

One of the joys of Parkway travel is stumbling into local eateries. A few standouts:

Switzerland Café (Little Switzerland, NC, near MP 334)

Famous for house-smoked trout sandwiches and homemade desserts.

Dan’l Boone Inn (Boone, NC, near MP 291)

Family-style Southern meals served in a historic farmhouse.

Pisgah Inn Restaurant (MP 408.6)

Elevated dining, both literally and figuratively, with Blue Ridge views from every table.

Cúrate (Asheville)

A Spanish tapas bar downtown, famous for its jamón ibérico and bustling energy.

Buxton Hall Barbecue (Asheville)

Eastern Carolina whole-hog BBQ paired with local beers.

Wicked Weed Brewing (Asheville)

One of Asheville’s best-known breweries, with a great outdoor beer garden.

Tips for Traveling the Parkway

Seasonal Access: Sections close in winter due to snow and ice. Summer and fall are the busiest seasons, with October weekends drawing leaf-peepers from around the world.

Gas & Lodging: There are no gas stations directly on the Parkway. Fill up before you enter and consider overnights in nearby towns like Roanoke, Boone, or Asheville.

Camping: Parkway campgrounds include Peaks of Otter, Linville Falls, and Mount Pisgah. They book up quickly in fall, so reserve early.

Pack Snacks: While there are restaurants near some stretches, you’ll drive long miles with nothing but overlooks and trailheads perfect excuse for a picnic at an overlook like Craggy Gardens (MP 364.5).

Conclusion

Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway feels like slipping into another rhythm where every curve in the road reveals a new vista, every town offers a story, and every hike leaves you with lungs full of mountain air. Whether you tackle all 469 miles or just a short stretch, the Parkway is less about getting somewhere and more about experiencing the journey itself.