The Blue Ridge Parkway isn't technically a national park, but it might as well be. It connects two—Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains—and each year, more people drive it than visit the Grand Canyon.
Honestly, you can't pick a bad time to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. In summer, the parks along the road 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 can be a tad precarious, especially if it's snowy, but in spring, flowers bloom across the route. No matter the time of year, here are a few of our favorite stops to see along the way.
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Whether you're starting or ending your drive in Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive is sure to be one of the most unforgettable parts of the trip. The 105-mile (169-km) road is particularly popular in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. Designated a National Scenic Byway, the road takes a winding path along the mountaintops of the Blue Ridge Mountains east of the Shenandoah River. There are nearly 75 overlooks that provide views of the surrounding valleys and local wildlife. Numerous trails can be accessed along the drive, including a portion of the Appalachian Trail. The southern end of Skyline Drive is located in Rockfish Gap, where it connects to the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a free-access road that continues southward along the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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 a historic graveyard. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the local area's history.
Just 75 miles outside of Washington, D.C., the pristine 200,000 acres of Shenandoah National Park offer 500 miles of trails through dense forests, ancient caves, towering mountains, and misty waterfalls.
If you're visiting 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 just over 3 miles from Dark Hollow Falls. The wood-paneled rooms are charmingly rustic—but be warned, the cabins don't have TVs or phones. There's an on-site restaurant and taproom, as well as free WiFi in the lodge.
