Blue Ridge Parkway

Contact Information:
Blue Ridge Parkway
199 Hemphill Knob Road
Asheville, NC 28803
828-271-4779

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation

Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Location: The Blue Ridge Parkway extends 469 miles along the crests of the southern Appalachians in Virginia and North Carolina, linking two eastern national parks -- Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains. The motor road is marked every mile by concrete mileposts beginning at MP 0 near Shenandoah NP and ending at MP 469 at Great Smoky Mountain NP. 

Description: Following the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this scenic parkway ranges in elevation from 649 to 6,047 feet above sea level and embraces several large recreational and natural history areas and Appalachian cultural sites in North Carolina and Virginia.

Activities: Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks and trails offer breaks during a drive, and there are ranger programs at most developed areas during the summer and autumn months. The Parkway provides wonderful opportunities for hiking (100 trails ranging from short walks to the Appalachian Trail), wildflower walks in the springtime and brilliant leaf color in the autumn. Several developed areas offer hands-on demonstrations of mountain life and culture. During the summer season, most developed areas offer evening programs, or more traditional campfire programs, along with guided walks and special programs. Other activities include fishing, bicycling, camping, climbing, hang gliding, photography, and cross-country skiing. Because the Appalachian Mountains shape the flyway for most eastern migratory birds, the Parkway is an excellent place for both birdwatching and autumn migratory bird counts. 

History: Initial construction funds for the Blue Ridge Parkway were allocated under authority of the National Industrial Recovery Act of June 16, 1933; National Park Service administration authorized on June 30, 1936. 

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