blue-ridge | VA | Find park

A long pine tree stands in front of distant mountain ridges beneath an orange sunset

Evening on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Mountain vista and clouds on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Beautiful mountain in North Carolina draw visitors from around the world to the Blue Ridge Parkway

Storm clouds breaking over the mountains at sunset, with fog hugging the valleys

Sunset from Cowee Mountain Overlook

A roadway on piers follows the curve of a mountainside, running toward distant mountains.

Linn Cove Viaduct is one of the most iconic features of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Black Bear sitting on large rocks at the edge of a forest

Black bears are among the many mammals found across the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Located in Virginia's Plateau district, picturesque Mabry Mill is one of the most iconic features of the Blue Ridge Parkway

water cascading into Linville Falls plunge basin

The Linville Gorge offers visitors the opportunity to learn about fascinating geology and view magnificent waterfalls.

Physical Address:

Milepost 384

Asheville, NC 28803

Mailing Address:

199 Hemphill Knob Rd

Asheville, NC 28803

contact-details

Phone Number: 8283483400 Voice

Email Address: blri_info@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

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.

park designation:Parkway

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Parkway Road Hours

The road is open 24 hours a day, weather permitting. Road closures due to inclement weather occur most frequently during winter. Sections of the road may also be closed during road maintenance projects. Check our road closure map to verify that the parkway is open before traveling. Visitor centers and other facilities have hours and seasons that vary. Most picnic areas, campgrounds, and visitor centers are closed from the beginning of November until early May.

Exceptions:

Closed from Milepost 200.1 to Milepost 285.5, Closed from Milepost 305 to Milepost 411.8, and Closed from Milepost 421 to Milepost 423.2 (September 29, 2024 - September 28, 2025)

Weather Information:

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.