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.

The parkway is a 469-mile-long scenic road connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Numerous federal and state highways provide access to the parkway. Milepost markers are positioned every mile along the parkway, starting at 0 in Virginia and ending at 469 in North Carolina. We suggest using a map to identify the area you want to visit, as GPS directions often do not incorporate the parkway's milepost system.

  • Arts and Culture
  • Live Music
  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Fishing
  • Freshwater Fishing
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Hiking
  • Backcountry Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

  • Engineering
  • Landscape Design
  • Music
  • Transportation
  • Bridges
  • Roads, Routes and Highways
  • Tunnels
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Elk
  • Fish
  • Foothills, Plains and Valleys
  • Forests and Woodlands
  • Deciduous Forests
  • Mountains
  • Scenic Views
  • Trails

Evening on the Blue Ridge

A long pine tree stands in front of distant mountain ridges beneath an orange sunset

Evening on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Mountain vista

Mountain vista and clouds on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Beautiful mountain in North Carolina draw visitors from around the world to the Blue Ridge Parkway

Sunset from Cowee Mountain Overlook

Storm clouds breaking over the mountains at sunset, with fog hugging the valleys

Sunset from Cowee Mountain Overlook

Linn Cove Viaduct

A roadway on piers follows the curve of a mountainside, running toward distant mountains.

Linn Cove Viaduct is one of the most iconic features of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Black Bear

Black Bear sitting on large rocks at the edge of a forest

Black bears are among the many mammals found across the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Mabry Mill

Summer colors at Mabry Mill

Located in Virginia's Plateau district, picturesque Mabry Mill is one of the most iconic features of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Linville Falls

water cascading into Linville Falls plunge basin

The Linville Gorge offers visitors the opportunity to learn about fascinating geology and view magnificent waterfalls.