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.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
No fee is charged to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a charge for camping in any of the campgrounds along the parkway. Visitors with the Senior Pass or Access Pass (formerly Golden Age or Golden Access Passports) pay a reduced camping fee. Some activities on the parkway require a permit, such as weddings, commercial tour groups or filming, agricultural leases, scientific research, and right of way access.
Hours
| Parkway Road Hours | Daily · All Day |
When to go
October draws the most visits here and January the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Campgrounds
| Julian Price Park Campground | 194 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 26 to May 21 | ||
| Linville Falls Campground | 66 sites | |
| $30 a night · Due to impacts for Hurricane Helene Linville Falls campground will be closed to all camping in 2026. | ||
| Rocky Knob Campground | 110 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 26 to May 21 | ||
| Peaks of Otter Campground | 143 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 26 to May 21 | ||
| Mount Pisgah | 128 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 26 to May 21 | ||
Show all 8 campgroundsHide
| Otter Creek | 69 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 26 to May 21 | ||
| Crabtree Falls Campground | 84 sites | |
| $30 a night · Due to impacts from Hurricane Helene - Closed for 2026. | ||
| Doughton Park Campground | 135 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 26 to May 21 | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- Waterrock Knob Visitor Center (Milepost 451.2) ↗Passport stamp
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, Waterrock Knob is uniquely suited for viewing sunrises and sunsets.
- Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (Milepost 384) ↗Passport stamp
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. You are able to watch the Parkway film at this location as well.
- Folk Art Center (Milepost 382) ↗Passport stamp
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 an America's National Parks store.
- Craggy Gardens Visitor Center (Milepost 364) ↗Passport stamp
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, harsh weather often invades these exposed ridges, resulting in the gnarled forests of beech, birch, and buckeye.
- Museum of North Carolina Minerals (Milepost 331) ↗Passport stamp
The Museum of North Carolina Minerals highlights the rich mineral resources and the mining heritage of this portion of the Blue Ridge. The museum has interactive exhibits.
- Linville Falls Visitor Center (Milepost 316) ↗Passport stamp
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 of Grandfather Mountain and cascades through two falls as it begins a nearly 2,000-foot descent through this rugged and spectacularly beautiful gorge…
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- Linn Cove Viaduct Visitor Center (Milepost 304) ↗Passport stamp
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 years after construction began.
- Moses Cone Manor House and Visitor Center (Milepost 294) ↗Passport stamp
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 desk is open from May through October.
- Blue Ridge Music Center (Milepost 213) ↗Passport stamp
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 National Council for the Traditional Arts, the Music Center includes an outdoor amphitheater, an indoor theater, and exhibits highlighting the historical…
- Doughton Park Visitor Center (Milepost 241) ↗Passport stamp
Numerous hiking options are available in the Doughton Park area and nearby Brinegar Cabin offers insights into mountain living in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Rocky Knob Visitor Center (Milepost 169) ↗Passport stamp
The Rocky Knob area offers a visitor center, campground, and 15 miles of hiking trails, including the Rock Castle Gorge National Recreation Trail. Picturesque Mabry Mill is located just a few miles south of Rocky Knob.
- Peaks of Otter Visitor Center (Milepost 85.6) ↗Passport stamp
Visitors of the Peaks of Otter gain a sense of both the history of community and tourism in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The long history of visiting the mountains for health and relaxation is told in the visitor center.
- James River Visitor Center (Milepost 63.6) ↗Passport stamp
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.
- Humpback Rocks Visitor Center (milepost 5.8) ↗Passport stamp
The rock outcroppings on the mountain and the relocated collection of 1890s farm buildings where settlers scratched out a living in the rocky soil makes Humpback Rocks perhaps the best representation of the varied combination of natural and cultural features anywhere along the Parkway corridor.
Explore
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.
Opens on the Park Service site - Become a Blue Ridge Parkway Junior Ranger20-120 Minutes
Becoming a Blue Ridge Parkway Junior Ranger is exciting and rewarding! Pick up your Junior Ranger Folder and instructions at any park visitor center. Then travel the parkway to get site-specific activity sheets along your journey.
Opens on the Park Service site - Stargaze at Waterrock Knob1-4 Hours
Stargazing on the Blue Ridge Parkway can be an amazing experience. Waterrock Knob at Milepost 451.2 is a great place to enjoy the calm quiet of the night and contemplate the universe as you gaze at the starry sky that surrounds you.
Opens on the Park Service site - Watch the Sunrise from Pounding Mill Overlook1-3 Hours
Sunrise on the Blue Ridge Parkway can be an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Pounding Mill Overlook at Milepost 413 is a great place to welcome the dawn of a new day and appreciate the natural beauty of this special place.
Opens on the Park Service site - Watch Peregrine Falcons at Devils Courthouse1-3 Hours
Peregrine falcon, once near extinction, now can be viewed in the skies over the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Opens on the Park Service site - Watch for Hawks at the Mills River Overlook
The raptors are coming! And they’ve got the “kettle” on!
Opens on the Park Service site
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- OVVI Junior Ranger
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail Junior Ranger booklet and directions.
Opens on the Park Service site - Save A Bear's Life
Your actions while visiting the parkway can have a direct and lasting impact on a black bear. Discover how YOU can save a bear's life!
Opens on the Park Service site - Hawk Watch at Harveys Knob
Every autumn, thousands of raptors ride the thermal updrafts of the Blue Ridge Mountains on their way to wintering grounds. You can watch the graceful flights of these soaring birds from Harveys Knob Overlook.
Opens on the Park Service site - Visit Adney Gap
Take a scenic drive through Adney Gap around milepost 136 and experience one of the many mountain gaps that provided an important early tool in traversing the surrounding hills and mountains.
Opens on the Park Service site - Visit Tuggle Gap
Take a scenic drive through Tuggle Gap to experience one of the gaps which provided early travelers passage through the mountains.
Opens on the Park Service site - Mahogany Rock Overlook
Visit the Mahogany Rock Overlook for soaring views of Buck Mountain, Doughton Mountain, and Cheek Mountain among others. In the fall visitors are treated to spectacular views of migrating raptors.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Events
- 12:00 PM · runs through Nov 1 · freeThe Blue Ridge Music Center is located on Music Center Road, Galax, VA 24333 or milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Building Appalachia: A Geologic Story (Ranger Talk – Museum of North Carolina Minerals milepost 331)10/1411:30 AM · freeMuseum of North Carolina Minerals (Parkway milepost 331) - 79 Parkway Maintenance Road Spruce Pine, NC
- From Hunters to Heroes: The Overmountain Men (Ranger Talk - Museum of North Carolina Minerals milepost 331)10/1410:30 AM · freeThe Museum of North Carolina Minerals is located at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 331 near Spruce Pine, NC.
- Hike Smart: The Ten Essentials and Leave No Trace Principles (Peaks of Otter - Milepost 86)10/1402:00 PM · freeLocated by the Sharp Top Store.
- More than Mountains: Ranger-Led Talks and Activities (Craggy Gardens Visitor Center - Milepost 364)10/1401:30 PM · freeThis talk will be outside the visitor center. In high winds or inclement weather, the talk will be canceled and we will set up an…
- The Ramblin’ Bald: Guided High Elevation Hike (Craggy Gardens Visitor Center - Milepost 364)10/1410:45 AM · freeMeet in front of the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center.
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- Brinegar Cabin Open House (Doughton Park - Milepost 238.5)10/1501:00 PM · runs through Oct 29 · freeBrinegar Cabin is located at milepost 238.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Historic Mill Open House (Mabry Mill - Milepost 176.2)10/1510:30 AM · runs through Nov 1 · freeBlue Ridge Parkway - Mabry Mill - Milepost 176.2
- Rocky Knob Butterfly Walk (Rocky Knob - Milepost 167.1)10/1510:00 AM · runs through Oct 22 · freeRocky Knob Campground - Milepost - 167.1. Meet next to the campground kiosk.
- A Wooded Walk: Guided, Low-Elevation Hike (Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center - Milepost 384)10/1510:00 AM · freeMeet at the flagpole in front of the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center.
News
- National Park Service to Implement Wildfire Risk Reduction Efforts in Areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway Damaged by Hurricane Helene ↗2026-10-06
The National Park Service today announced that work will begin in early October to reduce wildfire risk along the Blue Ridge Parkway by removing hazardous, storm-generated tree debris left by Hurricane Helene.
- Multiple Projects Completed on Blue Ridge Parkway in Time for Fall Travel ↗2026-10-05
Consistent with President Donald J. Trump’s direction to accelerate rebuilding and recovery following Hurricane Helene and keep parks open and accessible, the National Park Service continues to advance critical repairs…
- Blue Ridge Parkway Completes Historic 75-Mile Road Rehabilitation Project ↗2026-09-29
The National Park Service today announced the completion of a more than $100 million rehabilitation of 75 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina.
- Blue Ridge Parkway Seeks Public Input on Linville Falls Recovery Plan ↗2026-08-25
On Sept. 1, Blue Ridge Parkway will open a 30-day public comment period for a site management plan to restore visitor access, rebuild storm-damaged facilities and ensure a more resilient future for the Linville Falls…
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Forest Service trails nearby
These trails are outside the park on National Forest land, within 15 miles of Blue Ridge. Each one opens on Trailhead Atlas.
Distance is measured from the park's reference point to the nearer end of the trail.
Guidebooks for Blue Ridge Parkway
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Lonely Planet Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trips 2Amy C. Balfour and Virginia Maxwell, 2022Find at Bookshop.org
Local history books for Blue Ridge Parkway
Building the Blue Ridge ParkwayKaren J. Hall and Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, 2007Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthAmerican Black Bear 22× · Bald Eagle 2× · Bobcat 2× · Osprey 2× · Barred Owl 1× · Eastern Fox Squirrel 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 240 birds, 71 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsAmerican Kestrel · Bald Eagle · Barn Owl · Barred Owl · Black Vulture · Broad-winged Hawk · Cooper's Hawk · Eastern Screech-Owl · Golden Eagle · Great Horned Owl · Long-eared Owl · Merlin · Mississippi Kite · Northern Harrier · Northern Saw-Whet Owl · Osprey · Peregrine Falcon · Red-shouldered Hawk · Red-tailed Hawk · Rough-legged Hawk · Sharp-Shinned Hawk · Short-eared Owl · Turkey Vulture
Waterfowl & wadersAmerican Bittern · American Black Duck · American Coot · American Wigeon · Black-crowned Night-Heron · Blue-winged Teal · Bufflehead · Canada Goose · Common Goldeneye · Common Loon · Common Merganser · Double-crested Cormorant · Eared Grebe · Great Blue Heron · Greater Scaup · Green-winged Teal · Hooded Merganser · Horned Grebe · King Rail · Lesser Scaup · Mute Swan · Northern Pintail · Pied-billed Grebe · Red-breasted Merganser · Red-necked Grebe · Red-throated Loon · Ring-necked Duck · Ruddy Duck · Sandhill Crane · Snow Goose · Striated Heron · Tricolored Heron · Virginia Rail · Western Great Egret · Wood Duck · Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Shorebirds & seabirdsAmerican Woodcock · Bonaparte's Gull · Greater Yellowlegs · Killdeer · Least Sandpiper · Lesser Yellowlegs · Ring-billed Gull · Semipalmated Plover · Semipalmated Sandpiper · Short-billed Dowitcher · Solitary Sandpiper · Spotted Sandpiper · Upland Sandpiper · White-rumped Sandpiper · Wilson's Snipe
Gamebirds & dovesMourning Dove · Northern Bobwhite · Ring-necked Pheasant · Rock Pigeon · Ruffed Grouse · Wild Turkey
WoodpeckersDowny Woodpecker · Hairy Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · Pileated Woodpecker · Red-bellied Woodpecker · Red-headed Woodpecker · Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
Hummingbirds & swiftsChimney Swift · Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Rufous Hummingbird
Also on the checklistAcadian Flycatcher · Alder Flycatcher · American Crow · American Goldfinch · American Pipit · American Redstart · American Robin · American Tree Sparrow · Anhinga · Baltimore Oriole · Bank Swallow · Barn Swallow · Bay-breasted Warbler · Belted Kingfisher · Bewick's Wren · Black Scoter · Black-Billed Cuckoo · Black-and-white Warbler · Black-throated Blue Warbler · Black-throated Green Warbler · Blackburnian Warbler · Blackpoll Warbler · Blue Grosbeak · Blue Jay · Blue-grey Gnatcatcher · Blue-headed Vireo · Blue-winged Warbler · Bobolink · Brown Creeper · Brown Thrasher · Brown-Headed Cowbird · Brown-headed Nuthatch · Canada warbler · Canvasback · Cape May Warbler · Carolina Chickadee · Carolina Wren · Cedar Waxwing · Cerulean Warbler · Chestnut-sided Warbler · Chipping Sparrow · Chuck-will's-widow · Chukar · Cliff Swallow · Cliff Swallow · Common Grackle · Common Nighthawk · Common Raven · Common Yellowthroat · Connecticut Warbler · Dark-eyed Junco · Eastern Bluebird · Eastern Kingbird · Eastern Meadowlark · Eastern Phoebe · Eastern Towhee · Eastern Whip-poor-will · Eastern Wood-Pewee · Eurasian Wren · European Starling · Evening Grosbeak · Field Sparrow · Fox Sparrow · Gadwall · Golden-crowned Kinglet · Golden-winged Warbler · Grasshopper Sparrow · Gray Catbird · Gray-cheeked Thrush · Great Crested Flycatcher · Helmeted Guineafowl · Henslow's Sparrow · Hermit Thrush · Hooded warbler · Horned Lark · House Finch · House Sparrow · House Wren · Indigo Bunting · Kentucky Warbler · LeConte's Sparrow · Least Flycatcher · Lincoln's Sparrow · Loggerhead Shrike · Louisiana Waterthrush · Magnolia Warbler · Mallard · Mangrove Warbler · Marsh Wren · Mourning Warbler · Nashville Warbler · Northern Cardinal · Northern Goshawk · Northern Mockingbird · Northern Parula · Northern Rough-winged Swallow · Northern Shoveler · Northern Waterthrush · Olive-sided Flycatcher · Orange-crowned Warbler · Orchard Oriole · Ovenbird · Palm Warbler · Philadelphia Vireo · Pine Siskin · Pine Warbler · Prairie Warbler · Purple Finch · Purple Martin · Red Crossbill · Red-breasted Nuthatch · Red-eyed Vireo · Red-winged Blackbird · Redhead · Rose-breasted Grosbeak · Ruby-crowned Kinglet · Rusty Blackbird · Saltmarsh Sparrow · Savannah Sparrow · Scarlet Tanager · Song Sparrow · Sora · Southern Appalachian Black-Capped Chickadee · Southern Rough-winged Swallow · Summer Tanager · Surf Scoter · Swainson's Thrush · Swainson's Warbler · Swamp Sparrow · Tennessee Warbler · Tree Swallow · Tufted Titmouse · Veery · Vesper Sparrow · Warbling Vireo · White-breasted Nuthatch · White-crowned Sparrow · White-eyed Vireo · White-throated Sparrow · Willow Flycatcher · Wilson's Warbler · Wood Thrush · Worm-eating Warbler · Yellow Warbler · Yellow-bellied Flycatcher · Yellow-billed Cuckoo · Yellow-breasted Chat · Yellow-rumped Warbler · Yellow-throated Vireo · Yellow-throated Warbler
Small mammalsAllegheny Woodrat · American Beaver · Appalachian Cottontail · Brown Rat · Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel · Common Muskrat · Eastern Chipmunk · Eastern Cottontail · Eastern Fox Squirrel · Eastern Gray Squirrel · Eastern Harvest Mouse · Eastern Mole · Golden Mouse · Hairy-tailed Mole · Hispid Cotton Rat · House Mouse · Least Shrew · Long-tailed Shrew · Masked Shrew · Meadow Jumping Mouse · Meadow Vole · North American Deermouse · North American Red Squirrel · Northern Short-tailed Shrew · Pygmy Shrew · Rock Vole · Smoky Shrew · Southeastern Shrew · Southern Bog Lemming · Southern Flying Squirrel · Star-nosed Mole · Water Shrew · White-footed Deermouse · Woodland Jumping Mouse · Woodland Vole · southern red-backed vole
PredatorsAmerican mink · Black Bear · Bobcat · Eastern Coyote · Eastern Spotted Skunk · Gray Fox · Least Weasel · Long-tailed Weasel · Northern River Otter · Raccoon · Red Fox · Striped Skunk
Hoofed mammalsElk · White-tailed Deer
BatsBig Brown Bat · Eastern Red Bat · Eastern Small-footed Myotis · Evening Bat · Gray Myotis · Hoary Bat · Indiana Myotis · Little Brown Myotis · Mexican free-tailed bat · Northern Myotis · Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat · Silver-haired Bat · Tricolored Bat · Virginia Big-eared Bat
Also on the checklistCow · Feral Cat · Feral Dog · Virginia Opossum · Wild Boar · Woodchuck
Activities
Activity guides for this park Camping in the national parks · Fishing in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
All 17 activitiesHide
Questions people ask
Does Blue Ridge charge an entrance fee?
No. Blue Ridge is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
Is Blue Ridge open year-round?
Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in Blue Ridge?
Yes. The Park Service lists 8 campgrounds in Blue Ridge: Julian Price Park, Linville Falls, Rocky Knob, Peaks of Otter, and Mount Pisgah, and more. 8 take reservations through Recreation.gov.
Which Blue Ridge campgrounds have showers, hookups, or a dump station?
Showers: Julian Price Park and Mount Pisgah. Dump station: Julian Price Park, Linville Falls, Rocky Knob, Peaks of Otter, Mount Pisgah, Otter Creek, Crabtree Falls, and Doughton Park.
Source: Campgrounds
When do Blue Ridge campgrounds close for the season?
Julian Price Park is closed Oct 26 to May 21, Rocky Knob is closed Oct 26 to May 21, and Peaks of Otter is closed Oct 26 to May 21; 3 more have posted closures.
Source: Campgrounds
How busy is Blue Ridge?
16,533,753 recreation visits in 2025, number 1 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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