One of the most scenic roads in America, the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville offers plenty of spots for roadside picnics, breathtaking vistas, easy to difficult hiking, and a reprieve from commercialism. The 469-mile recreational motor road connects Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. With the use of the Milepost system (the numbers increase as you drive south), you can easily find points of interest along the way. What a romantic drive!
Click image above once to see our video with just a glimpse of the Blue Ridge Parkway. See more of our YouTube Asheville videos.
15 TIPS FOR ENJOYING
1. Go slowly and enjoy the scenery. The speed limit is 45 mph. Although there are no stop signs or stoplights, this is not a freeway.
2. Stop at the overlooks to soak in the views. If an overlook is busy, take a short walk to find a more secluded spot.
3. Take a blanket and picnic. There are several picnic areas along the way, and many green areas along the drive to stop.
4. Take a jacket. With the elevation changes along the drive, the temperature may vary as much as 20 to 30 degrees. At the highest elevations, the hottest summer days only reach into the 70s.
5. Watch for hikers and bicyclists.
6. Be certain to take your camera. Ask someone to take a picture of you along the way.
7. Gas up before you get on the parkway. There are no gas stations on the parkway. Gas stations are also located on intersecting highways near the Parkway exits.
8. Restrooms are located at major stops such as picnic areas and visitor centers.
9. Please do not disturb wildlife or plant life. Bear sightings are rare.
10. If you are into bird watching or wildflowers, be sure to take your guidebooks.
11. Along the Parkway, you will see numbered mileposts. The zero milepost marker is at the north end of the Parkway in Virginia. Numbers progress as you drive south.
12. Dogs and other pets must be on a leash or under physical restraint at all times while along the Parkway.
13. Parking is permitted on road shoulders (unless noted). Be sure to have all four wheels are off the pavement.
14. For emergencies along the Parkway, call 1-800-ParkWatch.
15. Road closures and conditions, along with weather reports, are available by calling the Parkway information line at (828) 298-0398. Many sections of the Parkway close in winter months because of snow and ice.
OVERVIEW OF THE PARKWAY NEAR ASHEVILLE 2008 UPDATE: The Blue Ridge Parkway will be closed north of Asheville due to road repairs at Craggy Gardens. This popular area will probably be closed all of 2008. Read more.
You may take the Blue Ridge Parkway north or south from Asheville, and in either direction you will quickly climb the ridge and reach elevations of 5,000+. However, the higher stretches of the parkway are closed during the winter months (November-March), depending on the weather. There are five entrances to the parkway in the Asheville area. If you are taking the parkway to the north, take the entrance from U.S. 70 east of town (at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 382), and if you are heading south, take the entrance from Highway 191 near I-26 (at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 393). There are no exits onto the Blue Ridge Parkway from Interstate highways.
Driving Tour Suggestions: From Asheville take a leisurely ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway north or south. Then take a "regular" highway for a fast return to Asheville. The North Loop: Drive north from Asheville to Milepost 304.4 (about 80 miles - allow three hours), ride across the Viaduct and turn around to return to Milepost 317.4. Exit onto US 221 South to Marion, then take I-40 West to Asheville. The return trip is about 1.5 hours. The South Loop: Drive south from Asheville about 50 miles to Milepost 443.1 (allow 2.5 hours). Take US 74 East/US 23 North to Waynesville, then I-40 East to Asheville. Return trip is about an hour.
Here are our top picks for the 140-mile section through the Asheville area (from north to south):
Linn Cove Viaduct, Milepost 304.4: The Linn Cove Viaduct is a masterpiece of engineering that was constructed to preserve Grandfather Mountain as the viaduct curves with the contours of the mountain. Drive across it and turn around to do it again. Stop at the Information Center and walk under this marvel.
Milepost 317.4:US 221 Crosses. Take US 221 South for a faster return to Asheville, (US 221 to Marion, then I-40 West to Asheville)
Museum of North Carolina Minerals, Milepost 331: See minerals found in North Carolina and regional geology.
Crabtree Meadows, Milepost 339.5: Take a 2.5-mile moderate hike to the 70-foot Crabtree Falls. Take the road into the campground and stop at the campground information building to pick up a map. Parking area next to information building.
Mt Mitchell, Milepost 355.4: Drive to the top of the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi (6,684 feet) for 85-mile views from the observation tower (if the clouds are not hanging on the peak). This is the perfect place to escape the heat of a hot summer's day, because it is usually 15 or 20 degrees cooler than the city. Hike through Alpine forests or pick up some food at the restaurant and take it outside for a mile-high picnic. Best of all, there is no admission fee. Allow an hour to drive the 35 miles from downtown. (See our Mount Mitchell Guide and Hikes & Walks Guide.)
Craggy Gardens, Milepost 364.4: (This section is CLOSED due to road repairs in 2008) A short drive north from Asheville (24 miles from downtown) will take you up, up, up in elevation to the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center with great views to the east and to the west. Enjoy the crisp air, summer rhododendron, a big picnic area, and easy to moderate hiking trails. Our favorite trail is the Craggy Pinnacle (see photo at right) with panoramic views on top. (Also See Hikes & Walks Guide, See Photos from Craggy.)
Craggy Gardens Picnic Area, Milepost 367.6: Ample parking, lots of picnic tables, and easy access to several lovely trails make this a favorite destination. Also a delightful place for stargazing, weather permitting.
Milepost 376.6: Ox Creek Road intersects and winds down into the valley. At the end of Ox Creek Road (four miles), take a left on Reems Creek Road to go into the Weaverville area. Take a right on Reems Creek to visit Vance Birthplace State Historic Site.
Milepost 377.4: Turn onto NC 694 (not marked from the Parkway) for a fun drive on Town Mountain Road into downtown Asheville. You can hike on the Mountains to Sea trail from the small parking area there.
Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 (see photo at left): This is the best stop to see (and buy) some of the finest art and crafts from Southern Appalachia artists. Browse the three fine art galleries, see daily craft demonstrations, and visit the Parkway information center. Read more about the Folk Art Center.
Milepost 382.6: Asheville/US 70 crosses. Go east to find I-40 East or go to Black Mountain (10 miles). Head west into Asheville.
Milepost 384.7: Asheville/US 74A crosses. Head east to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure (25 miles). Head west to find I-40 West.
Milepost 388.8: Asheville/US 25 crosses. Travel north 3 miles to Biltmore Estate or south for I-26 South toward Hendersonville.
Milepost 393.6: Asheville/NC 191 crosses. Go north for Asheville and I-26.
North Carolina Arboretum, Milepost 393.6: Located at the exit for NC 191. Stroll through a variety of gardens, on peaceful hiking trails, and don't miss the wonderful bonsai exhibit in the greenhouse. This 426-acre public garden reflects the cultural and natural heritage of the region. Read more about the Arboretum.
Tunnels of Love: As you leave the Asheville area, you will climb quickly in elevation and go through a dozen tunnels in the next 15 miles or so.
Mt. Pisgah, Milepost 407.6: This is a favorite hiking spot and picnic spot, but it can be a bit crowded. The hiking trail to the summit of this 5,000-foot peak may be a bit strenuous, but the reward is the view from the top. Picnic area at Milepost 407.8. See our Mt. Pisgah Hiking Guide.
Pisgah Inn, Milepost 408.7: The only inn and restaurant on this stretch of Parkway is located at 5,000 feet. It's a great place (and very popular) to stop for lunch since their dining room has big windows with beautiful vistas. Open April through October.
Milepost 412: US 276 crosses. Go south to the Pisgah National Forest, Cradle of Forestry (4 miles), Sliding Rock (8 miles) and Brevard (18 miles). Head north to Waynesville (22 miles). This area (Wagon Road Gap) is home to monarch butterfly migration in middle September to early October each year.
Graveyard Fields Overlook, Milepost 418.8: This barren scenery is very different from what you see along most of the parkway. Enjoy nice vistas with fairly easy hiking to some waterfalls. However, it can become very crowded here. Read more about Graveyard Fields.
Black Balsam, Milepost 420.2: A must hike for sweeping vistas. See our Black Balsam Guide.
Devil's Courthouse, Milepost 422.4: Take a strenuous 1/2-mile hike to the "Courthouse" for a 360-degree view. See our Devil's Courthouse Guide and Photos.
Richland Balsam Overlook, Milepost 431.4: Stop at the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 6,047 feet.
Milepost 443.1: US 74/23 Crossover. For a fast route back to Asheville, follow US 74 east to Waynesville, then I-40 east to Asheville.
Waterrock Knob, Milepost 451.2: Stop here for lofty views from the parking area and hike to the summit of one of highest peak along the Parkway. Visitors Center and restrooms. See our Waterrock Knob Guide.
Heintooga Road, Milepost 458.2: Spur to mile-high overlook. Go 12 miles to Balsam Mountain Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains. Read more about Balsam Mountain and Heintooga Round Bottom Road.
2008 UPDATE: The Blue Ridge Parkway will be closed north of Asheville due to road repairs at Craggy Gardens. This popular area will probably be closed all of 2008. 
Linn Cove Viaduct, Milepost 304.4: The 
Mt Mitchell, Milepost 355.4: Drive to the top of the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi (6,684 feet) for 85-mile views from the observation tower (if the clouds are not hanging on the peak). This is the perfect place to escape the heat of a hot summer's day, because it is usually 15 or 20 degrees cooler than the city. Hike through Alpine forests or pick up some food at the restaurant and take it outside for a mile-high picnic. Best of all, there is no admission fee. Allow an hour to drive the 35 miles from downtown. (See our 
Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 (see photo at left): This is the best stop to see (and buy) some of the finest art and crafts from Southern Appalachia artists. Browse the three fine art galleries, see daily craft demonstrations, and visit the Parkway information center. 
Tunnels of Love: As you leave the Asheville area, you will climb quickly in elevation and go through a dozen tunnels in the next 15 miles or so. 
Looking Glass Rock Overlook, Milepost 417: Named for reflecting light brilliantly when water and ice are on the rock's granite surface. 