Blueridge Parkway General Info

The Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park near Waynesboro, VA (Milepost 0) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, NC (Milepost 469). There are entrances and exits at all major federal and state highways and part of a Parkway experience is getting into the towns and communities of the region. Asheville and Boone, NC and Roanoke, VA are the largest cities along the way. In Virginia, Interstates 64, 81, and 77 all have directions for accessing the Parkway. The same is true for Interstates 40 and 26 in North Carolina.

Year-round facilities on the Blue Ridge Parkway include the Folk Art Center at Milepost 384 in Asheville, the Museum of North Carolina Minerals at Milepost 331 near Spruce Pine, and the Peaks of Otter Lodge at Milepost 86 north of Roanoke, Virgina.

Other facilities, including picnic areas, campgrounds, visitor centers, and concessions facilities are in full operation for the 2007 season.

There is no fee to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway and entrances and exits are available at intersections with all major highways. Taking short side trips into the many communities along the Parkway route is an excellent way to explore this region of the country.

There is a charge for camping ($16 per site) and those visitors with Golden Age or Golden Access Passports or the new Interagency Senior or Access Pass pay a reduced camping fee.

For organized activities such as sporting events, ceremonies or large group gatherings, a Special Use Permit may be necessary. Commercial Filming of any type also requires a permit.

Parkway headquarters is at Milepost 382. The mailing address is 199 Hemphill Knob Road Asheville, NC 28803-8686. Reach park headquarters by phone at (828)271 4779.

The park information line at (828) 298 0398 has the most updated information on facilities, activities, and road closures.