External messages and public relations nea grant request advisory group community meetings final stage of transition. To assist in planning your trip, consult the parkway map and blue ridge. As you enter shenandoah national park, skyline drive is the road that runs the 105 miles through the park. The blue ridge parkway stretches from central virginia to southern north carolina, hugging ridge tops for 470 miles. A guide to the skyline drive and the blue ridge parkway. Ride twists on two wheels in the mountains or treat yourself to simultaneous sound and ocean views on the outer banks scenic byway. The blue ridge parkway does not enter the national park. It runs mostly along the spine of the blue ridge, a major mountain chain that. Spend a couple days in charlottesville exploring monticello the home of thomas jefferson, the third president of the united states and the regions many local wineries. The blue ridge relay brr, which is one of the longest running relay races in the united states, takes place in the picturesque blue ridge mountains of virginia and north carolina. Interactive map includes blue ridge parkway access points, lodging, dining, attractions, and what to do along the parkway.
Map of lodgings, cabins, camping, stores and restaurants along the blue ridge parkway. Also, download a pdf of the entire official blue ridge parkway map 15 mb. The blue ridge parkway is a national parkway and allamerican road in the united states, noted for its scenic beauty. Stretching 469 miles along the crest of the blue ridge mountains through north carolina and virginia, it encompasses some of the oldest prehistoric and early european settlements. A partner of the national park service, friends of the blue ridge parkway is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that is dedicated to. Heres your perfect blue ridge parkway road trip orbitz. Friends of the blue ridge parkway is a national park service blue ridge parkway partner organization.
Blue ridge parkway folklife project collection afc 1982009 repository american folklife center language. Blue ridge parkway jefferson national forest george washington national forest george washington national forest shenandoah national park entrance fee 10 20 30 98 40 50 60 70 80 90 b l u e r i d s o u t h r i v e r s o u t h r i v e r r o c k f i s h r i v e r c o w p a s t u r e ri v er t y e r i v e r j a m e s r i v e r j a mes ri v e r m. This 469mile ribbon of road connects us with nature and wildlife, mountain history, and our sense of wonder. The parkway starts just outside waynesboro, virginia at milepost 0. A trusted resource for travelers to the blue ridge parkway and surrounding communities, our publication is the only one of its kind distributed on the parkway at visitor centers. The ride is necessarily leisurely because the speed limit is 45 mph, maximum. Experience scenic beauty, local food, mountain music and all there is to see and do along americas favorite drive. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance at recreation. Nye simmons is a writer and photographer living in knoxville, tennessee, in the shadow of the great smoky mountains, near the southern end of the blue ridge parkway. The blue ridge parkway travels 252 miles along the length of western north carolina, but thats not the only scenic drive youll find here. Lifelong fly fisherman and blue ridge parkway aficionado sam r. The first map is the section north of asheville to grandfather mountain.
However, the parkway was designed as a scenic leisure road for motor vehicles, and does not have designated bike lanes. Johnson offers this first in class book detailing over 200 of the best rivers, streams and creeks along the 252 mile nc section of the blue ridge parkway. This center features information desks, museum quality exhibits, a 22foot interactive parkway map, and short film highlighting the unique culture and heritage of the blue ridge parkway. The blue ridge parkway guide is a privately owned website authored by joe veler and sarah cooke, who began work on the site after discovering their shared love of the parkway. As you journey from peak to peak amidst breathtaking beauty its easy to understand why the blue ridge parkway is considered americas favorite scenic drive. Big sky overlook view across war fields looking eastsoutheast. Blue ridge parkway, between shenandoah national park and great smoky mountains, asheville, buncombe county, nc haer nc,11ashv. The blue ridge parkway is one of the best road trips in the country, and whether you prefer actively enjoying the wilderness or sitting back and relaxing in the comfort of your cushioned seat, this historic multistate route is one for the record books. You can also browse the bestselling blue ridge parkway maps and guidebooks on amazon.
Blue misted mountains, cascading waterfalls, rolling pasture, and gorges banked with wildflowers greet hikers of all skill levels among the more than 100 varied and intriguing trails in north carolina and virginia. Brr consists of maximum 12 person 4 person minimum teams that rotate through 36 transition areas as they cover the approximate 208 mile distance of the race. It highlights the many significant points of interest located on and nearby the parkway, including mount mitchell, the highest point east of the mississippi, moses h. The blue ridge parkway in virginia obliquely traverses nearly the entire width of the blue ridge province at the transition between the central and southern appalachians, and spectacular geologystratigraphy, structure, and surficial depositsis exposed along its length fig. Winding through the highest elevations of the southern appalachians is a 469mile, windowsdown adventure on wheels. The blue ridge parkway is 469 miles long and runs through 29 counties in north carolina and virginia.
Photograph america newsletter on the blue ridge parkway. Visit the blue ridge parkway website for details on whats open and whats closed. Discover unparalleled views of the blue ridge mountains with our interactive trip planner. The blue ridge parkway was part of the new deal instituted by president franklin d. Milepost by milepost tour of the parkway blue ridge. Most of these maps focus on specific hiking areas and campgrounds, but theres also a fullpark map here too. Your help supports necessary parkway educational and. About 40 kilometers from the beginning of the parkway, charlottesville, virginia, makes an excellent starting point to your journey. For the most uptodate schedule, be sure to check out the national park services operating hours and seasons web page for the blue ridge parkway. If you are planning a visit or are already on your way, youll want a copy of the guide to the blue ridge parkway to discover all that the parkway has to offer. The blue ridge parkway was built to connect shenandoah national park to the great smoky mountains national park and runs along the blue ridge mountains. Haywood county boasts 46 scenic miles of some of the most beautiful parts of the blue ridge parkway.
Pdf file via download updated march 20 the blue ridge parkway twists and turns down the crest of the southern appalachian range and links shenandoah and the great smoky mountains national parks. Over 200 photographers have contributed images of this 469mile scenic byway that winds through the mountains of north carolina and virginia. Blue ridge parkway blue ridge national heritage area. A national treasure designed to be enjoyed from the seat of a car, the blue ridge parkway in virginia and north carolina reveals the beauty and splendor of the blue ridge mountains. It is americas longest linear park and is named after the blue ridge mountains, which are part of the appalachian mountain range. With your help, we ensure cultural and historical preservation, natural resource protection, and educational outreach now and for future generations. Friends of the blue ridge parkway, roanoke, virginia.
You can show just how much this magnificent park means to you by protecting its future. Eastern national, blue ridge parkway foundation, friends of the blue ridge parkway, and blue ridge traditional arts also involved. Its 469 miles connect the great smoky mountains national park in north carolina to the shenandoah national park in virginia. Guide to the blue ridge parkway gives details about all the various vista sites along the parkway helpful to know what one is looking at. Guide to the blue ridge parkway is filled with information useful to those traveling the parkway and is detailed with color photographs throughout. You have really 3 basic options as far as approaches to driving the brp 1 get on near asheville, drive in one direction, and then turn around and drive back on the brp. Experience the blue ridge parkway blue ridge parkway map. A recognized expert on the smokies and the blue ridge, his previous titles include blue ridge parkway celebration, and blue. To download official maps in pdf, illustrator, or photoshop file formats, visit the national park service cartography site. Geology along the blue ridge parkway in virginia from the. Experience the blue ridge parkway through breathtaking photography. For comparison, heres a downloadable pdf map of the blue ridge parkway. Milepost by milepost tour of the parkway blue ridge parkway. It is a part of the virtual blue ridge network, which aims to share the parkway experience with longdistance viewers and to enhance it for visitors and residents.
The blue ridge parkway is perhaps the finest example of a recreational motorway in america. By car, bike, motorcycle, rv or trail, explore all you can do. The blue ridge parkway offers bicyclists 469 miles of picturesque travel across virginia and north carolina. The blue ridge parkway is americas most visited national park unit and is known as americas favorite drive. Plan your parkway trip a blue ridge parkway trip can be a meandering road trip or a day trip to a favorite area of the parkway. Pdf the blue ridge parkway download full pdf book download. The counties that are shaded in green represent counties along the parkway.
The above map features the entry points to the blue ridge parkway in virginias blue ridge navigate the map by taking advantage of the zoom feature in the bottom right corner of the map to pinpoint an exact location for entering and exiting the parkway. Through volunteerism, giving and partnerships, friends of the blue ridge parkway connects people with the park we love, helping to protect and promote an irreplaceable national resource. Each publication features updates on our initiatives and programs, events, milestones, and more to keep you connected to the blue ridge parkway. Find the best places on the blue ridge parkway in north carolina near asheville, with. Parkway craft center mabry mill cumberland knob blue ridge music center visitor center craggy gardens visitor center folk art center visitor center linn cove viaduct isitor center smart view e. Here are parts of the official blue ridge parkway map, with milepost numbers every ten miles. There are more than 100 blue ridge parkway hiking trails that provide visitors with an upclose view of the wilderness surrounding the most scenic drive in america. This highway, had it been built, would have connected towns along the blue ridge from virginia to georgia, several of which blowing rock, little switzerland, and asheville later lay on the blue ridge parkway route. Use this map along with the blue ridge directory to find all sorts of interesting shops and lodgings in your travels along the blue ridge parkway. Interactive map explore the heritage trail by heritage theme agricultural heritage 10 cherokee heritage 9 craft heritage 5 general heritage 17 music heritage 5.
To this day, he takes the blue ridge parkway any time he gets the chance. Construction of the 469 mile scenic parkway began as a new deal project in 1935 with several missions. When he moved to north carolina, he discovered the beauty of the southern end of this drive. When hunger strikes, pisgah inn offers the perfect pit stop. The parkway, which is americas longest linear park, runs for 469 miles 755 km through 29 virginia and north carolina counties, linking shenandoah national park to great smoky mountains national park. Official parkway maps to download official maps in pdf, illustrator, or photoshop file formats, visit the national park service cartography site, or pick up a copy at any of our visitor centers. There is no ribbon of highway more ideal for cycling than the skyline drive and blue ridge parkway they both entice the senses and physically challenge the body. Pdf files and external links will open in a new window. Jeffress park cascades trail fairy stone state park north carolina arboretum whetstone ridge otter creek roanoke mountain humpback mtn forge mountain. Along the way, the blue ridge parkway offers stunning views of the blue ridge mountains, forests, and pastoral landscapes, with abundant hiking trails. Join our mailing list to receive our semiannual newsletter, the scenic, and the foundations annual report. On these trails you will find captivating vistas, wildflowers, rolling pastures, waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and peaceful forests. Also, download a pdf of the official blue ridge parkway map 15 mb.
From adney gap 19 miles south of roanoke byway of u s 221 the parkway is paved south to the state line and beyond to deep gap near boone and blowing rock. The blue ridge area is considered a motorcycle mecca due to its breathtaking views and sweeping curves, countless scenic backroads, and the 469 stop sign and traffic lightfree miles of the blue ridge parkway. Blue ridge parkway travel guide blue ridge mountain life. The blue ridge parkway, noted for its relaxing pace and scenic beauty, also showcases a crosssection of appalachian mountain culture and history. In his 20s, he followed the blue ridge parkway through virginia, even continuing onto skyline drive for an xfilesinspired road trip. A family in the mid1900s stops by an overlook to enjoy the scenery. Spring wildflowers and autumn foliage are the best reasons for a photo exploration down the length of the blue ridge parkway. Before you start your drive along the blue ridge parkway, rest up at the elegant and.
Most of these maps focus on specific hiking areas and campgrounds, but theres also a fullpark map here. The new deal was designed to provide work for those unemployed and poor as a result of the great depression. In support of the blue ridge parkway, we create a spirit of stewardship to address the challenges faced by this national treasure. A journey on the blue ridge parkway offers spectacular views of southern appalachias diverse beauty for 469 uninterrupted miles. Land conservation techniques and thoughtful placement of house lots are the. Blue ridge parkway folklife project 1,693 american folklife center 37,108 format. Explorers of the blue ridge parkway asheville, ncs. Toggle between two maps with different features, park tiles or brochure map, using the picklist on the top left corner of the map.