Adventure on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Many people think of the Blue Ridge Parkway as America’s Favorite Drive - with good reason! It offers a leisurely drive of 45 mph, sometimes slower, with no stoplights. You can see a consistent rotation of beautiful scenery through forests, pastures, and stunning long range mountain vistas. You can bring your own meals to stop at the many picnic areas or choose to dine in local restaurants. You can hike trails that offer leisurely walks or more strenuous hikes (or something in between). You can camp overnight at a Parkway campground. There are visitor centers to learn more about what to do in a particular area, including talks and hikes led by local rangers. There is even live music!
How do you find out where, what, and when these possible adventures are? This blog post is your beginner’s source to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway.
THE FIRST STEP is to understand the Parkway’s location anchors – the milepost markers. These are white columns with blue lettering on the side of the roadway. They start with “0” at the northern end at Rockfish Gap, Virginia, and appear at every mile along the Parkway, ending at “469” near Cherokee, North Carolina (at the southern end). Everything you’d like to do and see can be discovered by locating the correct milepost.
To learn more about milepost markers, check out this video:
https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=A426849C-BC19-4A52-B964-21318261FBCB
THINGS TO DO ON THE PARKWAY
THINGS TO DO https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/things2do.htm
POPULAR DESTINATIONS ON THE PARKWAY https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
VISITOR CENTERS ON THE PARKWAY https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
MUSIC AND CONCERTS https://www.nps.gov/blri/learn/historyculture/blue-ridge-music.htm
RANGER-LED PROGRAMS, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND CONCERTS https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/calendar.htm
CAMPGROUNDS https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/camping.htm
RESTAURANTS
Peaks of Otter Lodge - Milepost 85.6 Full-service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a variety of seasonal specialties. Windows in the dining area overlook the lake. Peaks of Otter Lodge - Peaks of Otter Lodge
Bluff's Restaurant at Doughton Park - Milepost 241 The coffee shop at Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway welcomed generations of locals and travelers during its original 61 years of operation. The Bluffs reopened in the spring of 2021 to welcome diners once again for great home-style cooking. Home | Official Bluffs Site
Pisgah Inn and Restaurant - Milepost 408.8 The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Windows surround the main dining room and overlook a panoramic view. Seating for the dining room is available by reservation up to 30 days in advance. The Inn also has a private dining room accommodating up to 50 people available for reunions, retreats, banquets and meetings. Dining – The Pisgah Inn
FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE while visiting the Parkway, plan ahead. Due to ongoing Helene recovery, and also due to ongoing maintenance, parts of the Parkway may be closed. This webpage should be up to date on what is open and what is closed:
https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/road-construction-projects.htm
ALSO FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE plan ahead for safety concerns that may not be part of your everyday life, including: safety while driving, on a trail, bicycling and motorcycle safety, and encountering a bear:
https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/safety.htm
YOU WILL SEE WARNING SIGNS telling you to avoid the Parkway during fog, snow, or ice. The Parkway closes some areas when the roadway is covered with snow or ice. Be aware that these areas often are not noted on the Road Closures page. Also, be aware that the point at which you enter the Parkway may not have fog, snow, or ice on it - but be prepared to slow down if you suddenly encounter these conditions. If you’re unfamiliar with higher altitude environments, you may not be aware that mountain roads may remain open but could still have some snow or ice on the road, particularly on shaded curves. Stay vigilant and slow down when you approach curves, especially in inclement weather. I write this as a former Park Ranger whose duty was responding to accidents.
Here are helpful phone numbers:
Park Headquarters/Visitor Information: 828-348-3400
Recorded Information Line: 828-271-4779
Emergency/Communication Center: 828-298-2491 (Use to report emergencies, disabled vehicles, or missing persons)
Camping/Lodging Reservations: 877-444-6777
Your visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway can head in many different directions. Enjoy your adventure! You’ll want to plan many more adventures to explore all that the Parkway offers.
