Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway's 252 miles within North Carolina wind down the High Country through Asheville, ending near the entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Highlights on and near the parkway include Mt. Mitchell (the highest mountain peak east of the Rockies), Grandfather Mountain, and Mt. Pisgah. Nearly all the towns and cities along the parkway route offer accommodations, dining, and sightseeing. In particular, Boone, Blowing Rock, Burnsville, Asheville, Waynesville, Brevard, and Cherokee are all near popular entrances to the parkway.

Note: Hurricane Helene, which struck western North Carolina on September 27, 2024 caused wide-spread damage to the Blue Ridge Parkway. All of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Mt. Mitchell State Park will be reopened by fall 2025. This stretch includes popular trails and overlooks like Graveyard Fields, Craggy Gardens, and the Folk Art Center. Visit www.nps.gov.blri for the latest updates.