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.
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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.
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.
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.
In Montebello, VA you'll come to Crabtree Falls in the George Washington National Forest. It's one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, so you know it's going to be magnificently gorgeous.
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Further south in Virginia, and another short detour off the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can find the ginormous Natural Bridge. It's 20 stories of solid rock, carved out by nature and it has boggled the minds of everyone who's seen it, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
The Natural Bridge Hotel is a very charming hotel close to a lot of local attractions. You're a minute walk to the wax museum, and a little over a mile to the zoo, and there's free WiFi. TIP: Request a mountain view room. There's also a restaurant, cave and bar on site.
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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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While in Asheville, visit The Inn on Biltmore Estate: it's the perfect place to unwind amongst 19th century luxury. It's probably the Blue Ridge Mountains' most opulent estate, and a stay here will make you feel like Gilded Age royalty. There's free wifi, 24/7 room service and an onsite fine-dining restaurant, spa and bar.
Don't forget to pack a swimsuit for your trip down the Blue Ridge Parkway, because there's an awesome natural slip 'n' slide along the route. This awesome waterfall, known as Sliding Rock, is on Looking Glass Creek in Pisgah National Forest, just outside Asheville. It takes sliders down a 60-foot slope, and they are then dumped into a big ol' plunge pool of icy cold water. Eleven thousand gallons of water pour over the smooth slab of granite every minute, so expect a swift ride down the rock and into the splash pool. Between the wind in your hair and and the cool, refreshing water, it's the perfect way to spend a sticky, sweltering, Southern summer day.
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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.
