About the Blue Ridge Parkway
For a hotel near the Blue Ridge Parkway see Blue Ridge Parkway Accommodations.
There are 4 entrances to the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Asheville area. They are located at US 70, US 74, US 25, & NC 191.
The Blue Ridge Parkway starts in Roanoke Virginia and ends just outside of Cherokee North Carolina.
It takes about 8 hours to drive the entire length of the parkway.
Blue Ridge Parkway History
The Blue Ridge Parkway was built during the depression. It was part of the New Deal Programs of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Administration designed to put people to work. The program was called the CCC or the Civilian Conservation Corp. It operated like the military with strict discipline. The CCC was for young single men age 18 to 25. They were paid 25 dollars per month, the pay went to their families with 5 dollars withheld for the workers needs for that month.
Tourist attractions along the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Virginia
- Skyline Caverns - Front Royal
- Luray Caverns - Luray.
- Natural Bridge
North Carolina
- Blowing Rock - Legends - Starlight of Blowing Rock
- Grandfather Mountain - Linville, Boone, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock.
- Oconaluftee Indian Village - Cherokee.
- Biltmore Estates - Asheville.
- Chimney Rock - Lake Lure & Asheville.
- Lake Lure - Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Asheville.
- Folk Art Center - Asheville.
- Tweetsie Railroad - Dillsboro, Blowing Rock,
- Old Salem - Winston Salem.
Note to Bicyclists and Motorists Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway
Many people take their bikes up on the Blue Ridge Parkway especially on pretty days. Nothing wrong with that except that there are a lot of impatient drivers who drive too fast on the parkway (speed limit is 45) and when they get behind a biker they try and pass. The Blue Ridge Parkway is almost all curves. You can see the danger here for a potential head-on collision or someone running over a biker. For safety's sake, please, keep the speed limit and don't pass unless you know for sure its clear. And don't get impatient with drivers that are cautious. If you are in a hurry take another route.
Many people take the Blue Ridge Parkway for a leisurely drive and drive below the speed limit. Leisurely drivers are more evident in the Fall when the leaves are changing.
Bikers be sure to be on the alert for speeding cars, wear your safety gear and reflective clothing. Make your vacation here in the mountains an enjoyable visit but please be safe.
Are you looking for a hotel near Blue Ridge Parkway NC or VA? Here is a list of towns and cities that have places to stay near the entrances of the Parkway.
| Arden | Canton | Marion |
| Bedford | Harrisonburg | Radford |
more Virginia Hotels
Information on the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Foundation, Inc
Designed as a "scenic drive", the Parkway provides both stunning scenery and close-up looks at the natural and cultural history of the mountains.
Related Websites
- Virtual Tour Maps and general information found in the visitor centers in the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center for both North Carolina and Virginia.
- Blue Ridge Mountain Pictures - Framed Prints, Landscape & Nature Photography, >Stock Photo Licensing, and Greeting Cards for Sale. Featuring: Landscapes from select US States, Blue Ridge Mountains, Waterfalls, Sunsets, Beaches, Wildlife, Fall Foliage, etc.
Blue Ridge Mts Pictures
tunnel on blue ridge parkway in autumn near Asheville hotels
Fall Leaves at Peak Blue Ridge Parkway
View from Blue Ridge parkway, NC overlook
Mt Pisgah pullout, Blue Ridge Parkway NC
Atop Mt Mitchell off Blue Ridge Parkway, near Marion hotels
viaduct near Grandfather mountain