Evening on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Photo: Harold Blackwood Photo
About
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.
Activities
Arts and CultureLive MusicAuto and ATVScenic DrivingBikingRoad BikingCampingCar or Front Country CampingFishingFreshwater FishingFoodPicnickingHikingBackcountry HikingFront-Country HikingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife Watching
Directions
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.
Get directions →Weather
The weather on the parkway can vary widely along its 469-mile route. Precipitation is possible any time of the year. Winter can be cold and snowy, especially at the higher elevations. Spring and fall can have large temperature swings, from near freezing to over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are hot in the lower elevations, but the highest elevations remain cooler. Summertime thunderstorms are common, so be prepared for weather changes.
News
Aug 25, 2026
Blue Ridge Parkway Seeks Public Input on Linville Falls Recovery Plan
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 area. This project is the latest in a number of federal recovery efforts advancing under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump in response to Hurricane Helene damage across western North Carolina.
Jul 27, 2026
Blue Ridge Parkway Announces Concession Opportunity at Northwest Trading Post
The Blue Ridge Parkway is accepting proposals for a concession contract for retail services at the Northwest Trading Post. The Northwest Trading Post is located at milepost 287.7 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Glendale Springs, N.C., and is approximately 45 minutes north of Boone and Blowing Rock, N.C.
