The Blue Ridge Parkway isn't technically a National Park, but it might as well be. It connects two National Parks (Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains) together and the parkway itself is the most visited unit controlled by the National Parks System. Each year, more people drive along its roads than visit the Grand Canyon. True fact. People flock to it with good reason, though...it's pretty gorgeous. Plus, there's tons to see and do along the way. Here's a few highlights to see along the way.
Whether you're starting or ending the trip in Shenandoah, the park's Skyline Drive is one of the most unforgettably epic parts of the trip.
Front Royal, VA, US
The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles of pure beauty. It all begins in Front Royal, Virginia, and runs all the way down to Cherokee, North Carolina.
While you're in Front Royal, stop by the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center and head out on a hike across from the Parkway. You can visit Fox Hollow and Snead Farm, and you'll pass by an historic graveyard. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the local area's history.
75 miles outside Washington D.C., the pristine 200,000 miles of Shenandoah National Park wait to be explored! Shenandoah National Park offers 500 miles of trails within the park, plus dense forests, ancient caves, swooping mountains, misty waterfalls... need I go on?
Take your Blue Ridge Parkway adventure underground at Luray Caverns. You can rock out to their one-of-a-kind stalacpipe organ, and make sure to toss some money into their wishing well and make a wish. You'll get instant good vibes once you find out that all the change tossed into the well goes to charity!
If you're spending some time at Shenandoah National Park, Big Meadows Lodge is a fantastic place to spend the night. Located directly within the park, this historic lodge is close to the Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center and is just over three miles to Dark Hollow Falls. The rooms are rustic and charming with wood paneling, and there are cabins available as well. Be warned: there aren't any TVs or phones in the cabins. But, there's an onsite restaurant and taproom, as well as free wifi in the lodge.
Once you reach Lyndhurst, VA, check out Humpback Rock, a massively scenic rock close to the peak of Humpback Mountain. At a stunning elevation of over 3,000 feet, Humpback Rock provides a breathtaking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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When you're ready for some hearty road food, the Roanoker Restaurant is a good bet. It was first opened in 1941, then when WWII broke out the restaurant packed food for soldiers who stopped in Roanoke on trains. The eatery has been operating ever since, and has remained a local favorite!
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Once you reach Banner Elk, NC, Grandfather Mountain State Park is definitely worth a stop. It's a hiker's paradise. There are challenging trails for more skilled hikers, and rocky cliffs that offer breathtaking scenic views. You can also get a permit and camp in the park.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the area is incredibly awe-inspiring. Fall is a super popular time to visit the Smokies, and with good reason: the changing colors are unlike anything anywhere else in the world. However, you can avoid the crowds and still get awesome views in the summer, and when everything is blooming in the spring, it's absolutely stunning!
There are actually quite a few waterfalls to see in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The waterfalls of The Sinks flow into a deep gorge with lots of little pools that make prime swimming holes, Mingo Falls are an impressive 120 feet tall (believe me, they're much more imposing in person), and you can walk right behind Grotto Falls.
The Smokies boast one of America's most diverse ecosystems, and has tons of species of wildflowers that range from white to pink to orange and every color in between. One of the secluded coves, like Cades Cove, is the best place to take it all in.
Honestly, you can't pick a bad time drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. In summer, the parks along the Blue Ridge Parkway are lush and green. In the fall, the entire drive is covered in fiery foliage (usually from early October to early November). In winter, the driving is a tad precarious, especially if it's a snowy winter. But, the Blue Ridge Mountains become blanketed in snow and it looks like a white wonderland. In spring, the flowers bloom across the route: the best to see them is between April and May.