Blue Ridge Parkway
Beginning at the Shenandoah National Park the Parkway follows the Appalachian Mountain chain for 355 miles before entering Black Mountains for the final 114 miles.
Mount Mitchell, in the Black Mountains, is not only the highest point in North Carolina, at 6684 ft, but also the highest east of the Mississippi River. Mount Mitchell State Park, established in 1915, is the oldest state park in the Tarheel State.
Motorcyclists should be especially alert.
Approved helmets are required for operators and passengers. In North
Carolina, the headlight must be on anytime a motorcycle is in motion.
With the varying elevations along the Parkway, weather can change
rapidly being prepared is a must. Temperatures can require a jacket even
in the middle of august, flash rain storms come and go quickly as well.
A short drive from Cherokee is Richland Balsam Knob, the highest point on the entire Parkway at 6,053 feet and a favorite of sunset watchers. The Parkway was designed for a leisurely drive with plenty of pullovers to enjoy the incomparable views. One of the nicest is Devil's Courthouse, near Cherokee.
At the time of construction, the Blue Ridge Parkway was the longest road ever planned as a single unit in America.
Gasoline is not available on the parkway, but is available not far off the Parkway at many US or State Highway Intersections, including those below.
|
Virginia US 250 - MP 0 |
North Carolina US 21 - MP 229.7 |
At each Parkway
entrance a directional sign indicates 'north' or 'south'. North, toward
the north end of the Parkway, leads to Shenandoah National Park. South,
toward the south end of the Parkway, leads to the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park.
Accommodations on the Parkway
Blowing Rock Cabins
229 Price St, Blowing Rock NC , 828-278-0102
Blowing Rock Inn
788 Main St, Blowing Rock NC , 828-295-7921
Blue Ridge Motel
830 Main St, Blowing Rock NC , 828-295-7341
Boxwood Lodge
673 Main St, Blowing Rock NC , 828-295-9984
Brookside Inn
7876 Valley Blvd, Blowing Rock NC , 828-295-3380
Camerons Country Cabins
130 Cameron Dr, Blowing Rock NC , 828-295-4836
Days Inn Blowing Rock
US 321 Bypass, Blowing Rock NC 28605, 828-295-4422
Green Park Inn 9239 Valley Blvd, Blowing Rock NC , 828-295-3141
Hemlock Inn & Suites 134 Morris St, Blowing Rock NC ,
828-295-7987
Laurel Room The 9239 Valley Blvd, Blowing Rock NC , 828-295-3141
Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins 827 Main St, Blowing Rock NC ,
828-295-7991
New River Inn 6875 Valley Blvd, Blowing Rock NC , 828-295-0800
Ridgeway Inn US Highway 221, Blowing Rock NC , 828-295-7321
Roaring River Chalets 408 Roaring River Rd, Blowing Rock NC ,
828-295-3695
Swiss Mountain Village 2324 Flat Top Rd, Blowing Rock NC ,
828-295-3373
The Timber Lodge 197 Old US Highway 321 S, Blowing Rock NC ,
828-295-7483
Victorian Inn 242 Ransom St, Blowing Rock NC , 828-295-0034
Village Inn7876 Valley Blvd, Blowing Rock NC 28605, 828-295-3380
Other Great Drives near the Smoky Mountains National Park
| Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest |