The Blue Ridge Parkway - Virginia to North Carolina

Pack up the car and go on an All-American road trip! Explore the longest and narrowest National Parkway in the world and enjoy an unforgettable visit among the oaks and hickories.
The famed Blue Ridge Parkway runs for 469 miles mostly through the Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that's part of the Appalachians. From the southern end of Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina, this colorfully-named drive is a nature lover's dream. The wildflowers run the gamut from rhododendrons and dogwoods, to daisies and aster flowers through the summer, and in the fall, the foliage here is second to none. In fact, in early to mid-October and mid to late April, visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway can enjoy all three seasons by looking down from the wintery parkway to the green valleys below. You'll see oaks, hickories, and buckeyes in the middle, turning into conifers such as fir and spruce at the highest elevations and all along the parkway you can see groundhogs, chipmunks and squirrels. Of course, hiking, swimming and fishing are all great ways to take it all in. You may even catch a Whitetail deer or black bear if you're looking hard enough in the early morning or evening. If seeking a bit more than nature, stop in at the Folk Art Center if in the Asheville area for craft demonstrations and trip planning--and the exhibits at the Visitors Centers offer a great little history lesson. Some other interesting spots include Humpback Rocks at Milepost 5 and the living history demonstrations in the summer. The Humpback Rocks Visitors Center features exhibits on the community, transportation and entertainment of the region and campgrounds are open from May to November if you're looking for a truly memorable way to spend the nights along the Blue Ridge Parkway.