About Blue Ridge Parkway
A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other: a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special.
Quick Facts
Operating Hours
The road is open 24 hours a day, weather permitting. Road closures due to inclement weather occur most frequently during winter. Sections of the road may also be closed during road maintenance projects. Check our road closure map to verify that the parkway is open before traveling. Visitor centers and other facilities have hours and seasons that vary. Most picnic areas, campgrounds, and visitor centers are closed from the beginning of November until early May.
Activities
Getting There
The parkway is a 469-mile-long scenic road connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Numerous federal and state highways provide access to the parkway. Milepost markers are positioned every mile along the parkway, starting at 0 in Virginia and ending at 469 in North Carolina. We suggest using a map to identify the area you want to visit, as GPS directions often do not incorporate the parkway's milepost system.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Spot an Elk on the Heintooga Spur Road
Heintooga Ridge Road on the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a good place to spot elk.
Become a Blue Ridge Parkway Junior Ranger
Becoming a Blue Ridge Parkway Junior Ranger is exciting and rewarding! Pick up your Junior Ranger Folder and instructions at…
Stargaze at Waterrock Knob
Stargazing on the Blue Ridge Parkway can be an amazing experience. Waterrock Knob at Milepost 451.2 is a great place…
Watch Peregrine Falcons at Devils Courthouse
Peregrine falcon, once near extinction, now can be viewed in the skies over the Blue Ridge Parkway.
This is a self-guided activity focused on birdwatching, specifically hawk watching with viewing peregrine falcons as the main objective. This…
Watch for Hawks at the Mills River Overlook
The raptors are coming! And they’ve got the “kettle” on!
Watching the hawk migration is a self-guided activity. Binoculars, identification books, and chairs are optional for a casual stop and…
OVVI Junior Ranger
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail Junior Ranger booklet and directions.
Visitor Centers
Blue Ridge Music Center (Milepost 213)
The Blue Ridge Music Center celebrates the music and musicians of the Blue Ridge. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1997, with support from The…
Hours: The Blue Ridge Music Center is open 7 days week from 10 am to 5 pm. Midday Mountain Music, a free music concert and demonstration is held in the breezeway of the museum every day from noon to 3 pm.
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (Milepost 384)
The visitor center features exhibits that showcase the natural and cultural history of the area, as well as the recreational opportunities offered by the region.…
Hours: Open year-round, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Subject to temporary closures during periods of inclement weather.
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center (Milepost 364)
The small, historic visitor center and America's National Parks store is nestled in the gap between the rocky, Craggy Mountains. At over 5,000 feet elevation,…
Hours: There is no water available at Craggy Gardens. Porta-johns are available in the parking areas. Craggy Gardens Picnic Area and sections of the Mountains to Sea Trail from the Craggy Trail Shelter to the Snowball Mountain Trail remain closed.
Doughton Park Visitor Center (Milepost 238)
Opening date for the 2026 season has not been announced. Numerous hiking options are available in the Doughton Park area and nearby Brinegar Cabin offers…
Hours: Opening date for the 2026 season has not been announced.
Folk Art Center (Milepost 382)
The Southern Highland Craft Guild hosts a large craft shop, craft demonstrators and upstairs galleries showcasing regional craftspeople. Within the Folk Art Center is also…
Hours: The Folk Art Center is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Subject to temporary closures during periods of inclement weather.
Humpback Rocks Visitor Center (milepost 5.8)
Opening date for the 2026 season has not been announced. The rock outcroppings on the mountain and the relocated collection of 1890s farm buildings where…
Hours: Opening date for the 2026 season has not been announced. Visitors may take self-guided tours of the mountain farm grounds. Parkway information and America's National Park Store is available during regular operating hours.
James River Visitor Center (Milepost 63.6)
The James River visitor center is closed. The James River area offers visitors the opportunity to learn about transportation history in central and southern Appalachia.
Hours: James River Visitor Center is closed for the season.
Linn Cove Viaduct Visitor Center (Milepost 304)
The rugged slopes of Grandfather Mountain proved a challenging task to engineers as they completed the last section of the Parkway here in 1987, 52…
Hours: This visitor center is closed. Parking lot open for trail access.
Linville Falls Visitor Center (Milepost 316)
This facility was heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene and is closed for 2026. The Linville River flows from its headwaters high on the steep slopes…
Hours: This facility is closed as a result of damage sustained during Hurricane Helene. There is currently no scheduled date for reopening.
Mabry Mill Visitor Center (Milepost 176)
Opening date for the 2026 season has not been announced. The sights and sounds of rural life in Appalachia resonate at Mabry Mill during the…
Hours: Opening date for the 2026 season has not been announced. Visitors may take self-guiding tours the grounds from sunrise to sunset.
Moses Cone Manor House and Visitor Center (Milepost 294)
This visitor center information desk, America's National Parks store and Southern Highland Craft Guild craft shop share a grand, historic estate house. The visitor information…
Hours: The first floor of the house, including the Southern Highlands Craft Guild store and America's National Parks store are open Wednesday through Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm, April 15, 2026 to April 30, 2026. They store are open daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, May 1, 2026 - October 30, 2026. The remainder of house is open for touring during the summer. Please see website calendar for tour and open house times or call 828-295-3782.
Museum of North Carolina Minerals (Milepost 331)
Opening date for the 2026 season has not been announced. The Museum of North Carolina Minerals highlights the rich mineral resources & the mining heritage…
Hours: Opening date for the 2026 season has not been announced. Please check the Calendar of Events page to see our schedule of Ranger Programs. The Museum of North Carolina Minerals will be closed for lunch Mondays through Thursdays from 12:30 pm to 1 pm.
Peaks of Otter Visitor Center (Milepost 85.6)
Opening date for the 2026 season has not been announced. Visitors of the Peaks of Otter gain a sense of both the history of community…
Hours: Opening date for the 2026 season has not been announced. Visitor Center including exhibits and an America's National Park store is available during listed hours of operation.
Rocky Knob Visitor Center (Milepost 167)
Opening date for the 2026 season has not been announced. The Rocky Knob area offers a visitor center, campground, and 15 miles of hiking trails,…
Hours: Opening date for the 2026 season has not been announced.
Waterrock Knob Visitor Center (Milepost 451.2)
Waterrock Knob is our highest elevation visitor center on the Parkway. Known for its beautiful long-range views of several major mountain chains in the Appalachians,…
Hours:
Campgrounds
Crabtree Falls Campground
Due to impacts for Hurricane Helene, Crabtree Falls Campground will be closed to all camping in 2026.
Doughton Park Campground
Doughton Park Campground is nestled in a landscape of mountains and open meadows. Explore the history of early settlers, enjoy spectacular shows of flame azalea…
Julian Price Park Campground
Julian Price Campground sits beside Price Lake, a pristine body of water that sparkles against the backdrop of rolling mountains. The surrounding forest offers a…
Linville Falls Campground
Due to impacts for Hurricane Helene Linville Falls campground will be closed to all camping in 2026.
Mount Pisgah
Mount Pisgah Campground is located in the mountains of western North Carolina at an elevation of 4,980 feet, and offers moderate to cool temperatures during…
Otter Creek
As Otter Creek descends to the James River, the Blue Ridge Parkway dips to its lowest elevation, only 649 feet above sea level. This area's…
Peaks of Otter Campground
The campground is nestled at the base of two mountains in the rolling hills of Virginia. Nearby Abbott Lake is well-stocked with small mouth bass…
Rocky Knob Campground
Located in the Rocky Knob Recreation area, surrounded by 4,000 acres of forest, the campground is ideal for a traditional camping experience. The site offers…
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