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
Jun 1, 2026
National Park Service Announces Leasing Opportunity for Bluffs Lodge on the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway announced today a leasing opportunity for the Bluffs Lodge, a historic motor lodge located at milepost 241.1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Laurel Springs, N.C. The Request for Proposals process invites interested individuals, businesses and organizations to submit proposals for the rehabilitation and long‑term operation of this property. This is the first step in restoring this key visitor service.
May 19, 2026
Park Visitors Reminded to Plan Ahead for Busy and Dynamic Season
As campgrounds, picnic areas and visitor centers open for the season this Memorial Day Weekend, the Blue Ridge Parkway reminds park visitors and neighbors to plan ahead and pack their patience for upcoming visits.
