Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Center

Definitely recommend coming here first if you plan on visiting specific parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We got great advice from the park rangers at the visitor’s center on trails to hike, nearby attractions like the nearest ski resort, and also found valuable information on road closures for construction. Lots of pamphlets and maps available as well as a short but beautiful video on the making of the Blue Ridge parkway! And the visitor’s center building itself is new/​modern looking and clean, with a huge parking lot.

A bit touristy, but it is a touristy destination. Not a whole lot to look at. All of the people that worked there were helpful though. It is pretty much what it is.

After spending nearly 2 weeks hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and driving the parkway from Asheville, NC to the end where it connects to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, near Waynesboro, Virginia. I can say with out a doubt, this visitor center may be a life saver for your trip if close by, or you plan ahead. In the center you can find free maps, immaculate bathrooms, check out displays on local wild life, read about the area and what hides beyond the parkway. Detailed information/​directions about trails, waterfalls and group hikes. Plenty of parking, picnic tables and a very nice souvenir shop! Check out the small loop trail which goes around the complex also! This center is also one of the only places along the parkway with reliable guest WiFi and charging outlets! I recommend Graveyard Falls, which is close by and one of the less strenuous trails! Bring lots of water and food.

Good place to stop to learn about the history of the blue ridge parkway. They have a big map of the entire route on display. You can also get a free map that is a folded brochure sized to take with you on your drive. A great gift shop to get your national park and blue ridge parkway souvenirs. Other than that, it’s a pretty basic visitors center.

The visitors center is gorgeous and is quite informative about the history of the Parkway on both the recent human history, the plant and animal life as well as the geologic history. The park rangers seemed very friendly and helpful.
Even in the middle of winter the parkway is gorgeous and well frequented by drivers, motorcyclists, bikers and hikers. Just make sure you know which direction you heading as I was mistaken at first!

Of course it is beautiful. But when you are stuck on the parkway needing to use the restroom, I do not want to use one that makes going on myself sound more appealing. I swear these have never been cleaned and it smells like it too! But if you stare at the view long enough and buy a t-​shirt, you could maybe just forget the diseases you may or may not have picked up from their bathrooms!

If you are in the Asheville area or anywhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway check it out! The views of the mountains are astonishing and absolutely breath taking. I can not think of a better way to experience the mountains in the area.
Another bonus is it is good for all activity levels since there are several overlook areas you can simply pull over and see from your car or there are also trails in which you can pull over park and enjoy.

Note: I only drove the first 100 miles from the Virginia endpoint.
Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the country. It stretches across multiple states and curves through the mountains, with many points of interest along the way if you choose to get out. Come prepared with a camera, lots of food and water, and a full tank of gasoline.
Along the way you can find some wildlife (I had to stop for some deer at one point), observation decks, and hiking trails. Or you can just keep driving and enjoy the view from your car, though it would be worth it to stop a few times.
DO NOT attempt to do it all in one day. With the speed limit, winding roads, and slow drivers, you won’t be able to finish it in one straight drive. When I stopped for lunch after about three hours of driving, I asked a waiter how long it would take to do the rest and he estimated around another 11 hours. That’s without stopping to see things from various observation points too. If you do want to do the whole thing, set aside at least two full days for it, and more if you want to do more exploration.
I eventually pulled out after 100 miles because I didn’t have the time to drive through all of it, nor did I have the patience to sit behind some of those giant RVs while waiting for an opportunity to safely pass them. Even through those 100 miles I still saw a good amount, so you can definitely just pull in and out from the interstate if you just want a taste of it.

If you are around/​visiting Asheville, you NEED to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Just hop in the car and enjoy the view! The elevation is so high at some points, you’re on top of the clouds!!!
Be sure to bring a camera and stop at all the overlooks and hiking trails. There’s port-a-potty’s by the welcome center, otherwise… try to go before you head out there. It can get pretty windy! So hold on to any hats or loose items that could blow away.

A very modern, unique visitor center at the entrance to the BRP from Asheville, NC. Very nice bathrooms are probably the most important thing here. The rangers are also very friendly and helpful with planning stops along the way. Pick up a map here as cell phone service is spotty along most of the parkway. Watch out for people in a craze for looking at leaves flying through the parking lot the wrong way as we almost got taken out.

Blue ridge parkway drive is one of the best experience. The drive at the top goes from the clouds, not for faint hearts. Heavenly. Words can’t describe it. Drive after 5pm and it’s only you and the clouds.

Wow, what a national treasure…
It had been over a decade since driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so on a recenty trip I made sure to enjoy some time enjoying the views on a sunny afternoon. It’s so nice to have good access and be so easy to enjoy even a short drive while in Asheville.
Make sure you visit the folk art center as well, as they have rotating exhibitions of NC artists that are always first rate.

I’m just going to echo what others have said here – the Blue Ridge Parkway offers some fantastic scenery if you are there when the weather is good. Mt. Pisgah, Mt. Mitchell, Craggy Gardens are all worth seeing on a lazy day. Grandfather Mountain all the way to Cherokee. It is spectacular at times of year when the flowers are blooming and when the leaves are changing color. The weather can be harsh up there at times, however, so dress accordingly and drive safely.

What a sight! I’d been on the Blue Ridge Parkway in years past, but I forgot how spectacular it is. The leaves were just starting to turn. I think if they had been in fulll change, I’d have driven off the road several times.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is exquisite! It is not to be missed. A relaxing beautiful nature filled drive. There are many hiking trails along the way. A great way to spend the day with the family.

This parkway gives new life to a «Sunday afternoon drive.» It’s a lovely drive with scenic views along the way. I’ve only gone during the fall season and it is completely breathtaking with the various deep reds, bright yellows, and vibrant oranges.
You’ll want to draw straws in your party to designate the driver because it’s hard not to stare out the window to take in the beauty. The drive winds a bit, so it can be dangerous if you’re too taken by the views than the road.
Make sure to have your camera ready and stop often. Many people parked along the side of the road to take photos or to begin a hike. Pack snacks and enjoy nature whether you’re driving, biking, or hiking… the Blue Ridge Parkway will not disappoint!

To people who haven’t seen the Blue Ridge Parkway and what can be experienced along its drive through two states, it might seem crazy for me to say «I’m in love with the BRP», but it’s true. The parkway is my favorite road for the beauty along it, the serenity and the smells I get from opening the car windows and sunroof. It’s instant relaxation to me.
There’s so much to do along the Parkway. Visiting the Moses Cone Manor near Blowing Rock is a must, Craggy Gardens, Devil’s Courthouse, Graveyard fields, Mt Pisgah, Grandfather Mountain, Mt Mitchell, and so much more.
There’s tons of wildlife to be seen along the parkway if you keep your eyes open… wild turkeys, deer, an occasional bear, lots of birds, squirrels, chipmunks and other critters.
Likewise, it’s always wonderful seeing everything blooming along the parkway, including the rhodadendrums, dogwoods, and the plethora of flowers.
The only downside to the parkway is like any road, people tend to speed and it gets frustrating when people are tailgating you and you are trying to enjoy the scenery.
But yes, this is still my favorite road!

Definitely stop here and get all the maps you need to figure out what’s going on along the way. There’s a nice little movie that highlights the history and the scenic points of interest. There’s interactive videoscreens, moving educational pieces, lovely artifacts and colorful pictures, plus friendly staff to give you the directions you need. It’s worth stopping off and looking around.

The husband & I hiked the Craggy Gardens trail (Milepost 367.6). It was a nice trail– mostly covered by trees in the shade (which I’m always a fan of). There was slight elevation, but not too hard. I think it’s a moderate trail. We also hiked the Craggy Pinnacle Trail, which takes you up to a nice overview area.
Then we came back at night to do some star-​gazing. That was pretty cool because it’s very dark and you see a LOT of stars. Just be careful driving in the dark because there’s no lights.
But yeah, this national park is really cool… lots of good mountain views and sights. We’ll definitely be back for other hikes.

469 miles of PARKWAY and hundreds of miles of HIKING TRAILS
VIRGINIA — — - TENNESSEE — — - NORTH CARLOINA
Weaving through the Appalachian Mountain Chains and forrests — -
* Blue Ridge Mountains
Black Mountains
* Spruce and Fir
The Craggies
* The Pisgahs
The Balsams
* Ending in the Great Smokies
Each mile of the Parkway is numbered with a Mile Marker.
* Mile Marker No 0 is at Rockfish Gap just south of the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
* The markers are numbered progressively south ending at the southern Cherokee entrance to the Parkway in North Carolina.
For a list of the many Hiking Trails, listed by level of difficulty and mile marker, go to the Blue Ridge Parkway Hiking Trails website —
.
Print off a copy. Put it in your backpack.
Maybe you can go this weekend?
A lifetime of trails for every level of difficulty.
Along the Parkway and Hiking Trails you will find cascading waterfalls, deep gorges, wildlife — (chipmunks, squirrels, white-​tailed deer, raccoons, skunks, opposums, black bear, foxes, 100 species of birds, groundhogs, salamanders), Grandfather Mountain (MM 305.1), canoeing — kayaking– fishing in the Roanoke River, lodges, campgrounds, cabins, natural rock waterslides, wildflowers and rolling pastures. And in the fall the trees explode with color.
You can park you car anywhere along the Parkway.
Just be sure to get it completely off the road for safety,
Once you travel along the Blue Ridge Parkway you will never forget the blue tinged mountains, the smell of the deep woods, the sight of a red cardinal swooping across the trail, the seclusion of the endless miles of canopied trees and the knowledge that you are the first man (or woman) to travel across these trails — well, maybe not — but it does seem that way when you close your eyes and sense old growth all around you.
You will never want to leave, but you will. And you will return again and again. .. . always to hike a new trail.