Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Scenic drive · Asheville, North Carolina
Blue Ridge Parkway
A scenic road of about 755 km along the ridges of the Appalachians that passes by Asheville, with a visitor center, overlooks, trails, and craft centers.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway was built between 1935 and 1987 to link Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The road, about 755 km long, follows the mountain ridges at low speed, with no commercial signs or signalized intersections.
Near Asheville is the Blue Ridge Parkway visitor center, with displays about the region’s nature and cultures and a film about the parkway. Nearby, the Folk Art Center showcases traditional mountain crafts. South of town the road climbs Mount Pisgah and passes overlooks such as Looking Glass Rock and high-elevation fields like Graveyard Fields.
To the north, the parkway leads to Craggy Gardens, where rhododendrons often bloom in June, and to Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.
The road is managed by the National Park Service, and parts of it can close for construction, landslides, snow, or ice.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From half a day to several days, depending on the section.
Best time
Mid-October to early November for fall colors; May and June for blooms. Leave early: fog often rises in the afternoon on summer days.
How to get there
The visitor center is near milepost 384, about 10 km from downtown Asheville, accessible via US-70 and I-40.
Tip
Check the National Park Service road conditions page before you go. Fuel up in advance: there are few gas stations on the parkway. There is no fee to drive on the parkway.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Blue Ridge Parkway
Do you have to pay to drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway?
There is no fee to drive on the parkway. Some campgrounds and activities charge fees.
Does the Blue Ridge Parkway close in winter?
Sections close for snow, ice, or construction. Check the road conditions page before you go.
Which section of the Blue Ridge Parkway should I do from Asheville?
To the south, go to Mount Pisgah and the overlooks at Looking Glass Rock and Graveyard Fields; to the north, go to Craggy Gardens when that section is open.