Nicknamed "America's Favorite Drive," the Blue Ridge Parkway follows the Appalachian Mountain chain through Virginia and North Carolina.

From its north end at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, the parkway follows the crest of the Blue Ridge south for 355 miles. During the remaining miles, it skirts the Black Mountains and weaves through the Craggies, Pisgahs and Balsams before it reaches its southern point in the Great Smoky Mountains.



Natural Beauty
Whether travelers drive the entire length or only a short segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the experience is a visual feast. The parkway rises and falls in elevation, from 649 feet to 6,047 feet, treating travelers to a diversity of trees, flowers and wildlife.

Each season creates its own eye-popping show. In springtime, thickets of Catawba rhododendron burst into purple blossom. Flame azalea and mountain laurel beautify the landscape. In autumn, leaf color change turns the slopes into patchwork quilts of brilliant hues: the deep red of sourwood, the yellow of tulip trees, the brilliant orange of sassafras, the vivid red of maples. Throughout summer, wildflowers dapple trails and roadsides with their beauty. And winter snow creates its own magic.



Activities on the Blue Ridge Parkway
In addition to viewing spectacular vistas, travelers can experience the parkway through a number of activities, including hiking on nature trails, attending bluegrass jam sessions and exploring historic homesteads. Options abound along the length of the byway. Here are just a few:

Mabry Mill: The historic homestead showcases a sawmill powered by a water wheel, spinning wool, weaving blankets on a large wooden loom and more.

Blue Ridge Music Center: Local musicians gather to play their fiddles, mandolins and other instruments.

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park: The Parkway Craft Center features quilts and other traditional crafts of the region.

Linville Falls: Nature trails lead to magical views of the falls.

Mount Mitchell State Park: A paved path leads from the parking lot to the summit of the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.

Waterrock Knob: This stop captures a stunning view of Newfound Gap and the peaks of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.



Activities in Communities Bordering the Parkway
Towns and cities along the Blue Ridge Parkway offer countless attractions, recreational activities, and dining and entertainment options. They include:

Oconaluftee Indian Village: Visitors can interact with Cherokee villagers as they do beadwork, weave baskets, make canoes, and more.

Museum of the Cherokee Indian: The museum presents the history of the Cherokee Indian through evocative exhibits.

Biltmore Estate: This attraction features America's largest private residence, gardens, a winery and interpretive River Bend Farm.

Grandfather Mountain: Visitors can walk across the suspension bridge and also see black bears and other wildlife native to the area in the animal park.



The Blue Ridge Parkway celebrates its 75th Anniversary in 2010 with events throughout the year. These activities will further enrich your experience of traveling America's Favorite Drive.



For more information:
To learn more about the Blue Ridge Parkway and its 75th Anniversary events, visit the National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway site and Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Anniversary site.
Map:Blue Ridge Parkway Map





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