The Blue Ridge Parkway

Where are the Blue Ridge Mountains?

The blue ridge mountains make up a section of the Appalachian Mountains, spanning through 8 states. This 469 stretch of scenic road takes you through Virginia and North Carolina, linking Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park. The Blue Ridge Parkway offers up perfect views of the mountains and phenomenal scenery. Just 5 hours drive from Atlanta and 2.5 hours from Charlotte, NC, the Blue Ridge Mountains become a great part of your road trip as you explore the South.

What to do in the Blue Ridge Mountains?

Drive along the ribbon of road that weaves through the mountains. Along the Blue Ridge Parkway you will find the highest waterfall east of the Rockies – Whitewater Falls, the deepest gorge east of the Grand Canyon – Linville Gorge and The oldest river in North America – New River.

Besides taking your road trip adventure down the blue ridge parkway for some incredible panoramic views, there are tonnes of other exciting things to do in this area. There are loads of spectacular waterfalls to see. Some waterfalls are only a short distance from the roadside whilst others can be found on one of Ashevilles’ many hiking trails.

Besides the Blue Ridge Parkway, there are 18 scenic drives near Asheville. You’ll be making the most of that rental car! This area is great for fly fishing and other water activities, you can even dip in the mountain swimming hole and ride down Sliding Rock before tubing down the river.

You should know before you go… Phone reception can be super spotty away from the towns. So, be prepared with your sat-nav and road maps, assume there will be no reception at all. There are no gas stations for over 50 miles. For this reason, it’s best to fill up your tank before you reach the parkway.