Travel in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Eastern U.S.
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
The Blue Ridge Mountains range in the eastern U.S. is part of the Appalachian Mountains and its total length is about 880 km. This mountain range includes two major popular national parks: Shenandoah National Park in the north and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the south.
The current article focuses on traveling in the central part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the attractions located in its vicinity, which attracts millions of visitors every year.
The tour of the mountain range is conducted by driving along a spectacular scenic highway called the Blue Ridge Parkway, which extends throughout the central part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, named for their bluish tint when viewed from a distance.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The scenic highway in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a long and special scenic road called Blue Ridge Parkway, which connects the Shenandoah and Smoky Mountains national parks. This road is a protected national parkway under the responsibility of the American National Park Service. Driving on this road is free of charge. Its total length is 755 km! Along this road are beautiful viewpoints and many hiking trails branching off from it; some of these trails are segments of the long and famous Appalachian Trail. The road begins in the north near the southern end of Shenandoah Park, about 2 km west of the town of Afton, Virginia, and continues south into North Carolina, ending about 4 km north of the town of Cherokee adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The maximum driving speed in the park is 45 miles per hour and even less in some places. The road is marked with mileposts from north to south, from Shenandoah Park to the Smokies.
Due to the great length of this road, the trip and drive through the mountain range should be divided into segments of several hours each, depending on your itinerary and goals. The estimated driving time (without stops) for the entire length of the road is about 15 hours. A detailed description of the attractions in each segment (5 segments) and how much driving time is recommended to dedicate can be found on the park map, and I will detail the main attractions further below. I will also provide recommendations for accommodations in this mountain range area.
Map of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Parkway in the Eastern U.S.
Video of a trip in the Blue Ridge Mountains:
♦ Recommended Accommodations in the Blue Ridge Mountains Area
In the Shenandoah National Park Area:
In North Shenandoah - In Front Royal and its vicinity:
♦ Hampton Inn Front Royal - A 3-star Hilton hotel with 75 spacious rooms. Each room has a refrigerator and microwave. Free breakfast, internet, and parking. The hotel has a fitness center.
♦ TownePlace Suites by Marriott Front Royal
Excellent 3-star suite hotel near the north entrance of the park. Pool, fitness center, free internet, and parking.
Near Luray Caverns:
5-star hotel with family rooms in the town of Luray, near the caverns. Free internet and parking.
Bed and Breakfast in Luray near the caverns. Includes free full breakfast, internet, and parking.
In South Shenandoah Park:
♦ Residence Inn by Marriott Harrisonburg recommended 3-star suite hotel with family rooms. Equipped with a kitchen. Indoor pool, jacuzzi, and fitness center. Free public parking (reservation required), free internet.
In Roanoke, where the Blue Ridge Parkway passes right by:
♦ Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Curio Collection by Hilton
4-star Hilton hotel with a conference center, pool, fitness center, spa, and free internet.
Bed and Breakfast (B&B) in Roanoke:
Private shower and toilet, free internet, and parking.
Variety of rooms including units with a kitchen, pool, parking, and free internet.
In Asheville, where the Blue Ridge Parkway passes right by:
♦ The Omni Grove Park Inn - Asheville – A unique historic 5-star resort. This is the city's most luxurious hotel and includes 3 swimming pools, a spa, a sports club featuring tennis, squash, and a golf course, a children's playground, gardens, restaurants, and Blue Ridge views. Parking for a fee. Free internet.
♦ The Inn On Biltmore Estate – High-quality historic 4-star resort located on the Biltmore Estate grounds and includes a pool, spa, fitness center, 3 restaurants, children's playground, and parking for a fee. Free internet.
♦ Element Asheville Downtown – A modern and quality Marriott suite hotel located near the city center (a few minutes' drive). Studio apartments and suites with living room suitable for 2-6 people. Each room has an equipped kitchen. Price includes a good breakfast. The hotel has an indoor heated pool, fitness center, free bicycles for guests, and a courtyard with BBQ. Pet friendly. Free internet and parking.
♦ Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Area – 3-star hotel with spacious rooms suitable for 2-6 people. Price includes breakfast. Indoor pool and fitness center. Free internet and parking. Located near the Biltmore Estate.
Weather and When to Visit
The weather in the Blue Ridge range naturally varies by season but also depends on elevation, latitude, and topography. Elevation and topography can sometimes change drastically along the route, leading to large weather changes during the trip. Rain and fog occur throughout the year. Summers have plenty of rain, while fall and spring have slightly less. Snow falls occasionally in winter.
Fall Foliage
Autumn colors can usually be seen in the second half of October. Foliage colors appear earlier at higher elevations and vice versa.
Temperature:
The warm season is from July to mid-September, with an average daily high of 25 degrees Celsius, and July is the hottest month with an average daily high of 29 degrees Celsius.
The cold winter season is between December and February, with an average daily high of 11 degrees Celsius.
Cloudiness:
Regarding cloud cover, the months with the least cloudiness are August through October.
Precipitation:
The wetter season: April through August; the rest of the year is drier, with October and November having the least precipitation.
When to Visit:
Based on the weather, the recommended season to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains is from early June to late September. For autumn foliage lovers, it's best to arrive in the second half of October.
Scenery and Attractions along the Blue Ridge Parkway (listed from North to South)
Visitor Center and Historic Farm - Humpback Rocks Visitor Center and Picnic Area
This visitor center is at the beginning of the road in its northern part at milepost 5.8. It is recommended to check road conditions and recommended hiking trails and pick up trail maps here.
A short hiking trail leads from the visitor center to a historic farm that includes 1890s buildings from the region relocated to this site for display.
Google Maps Address: Milepost 5.8 Blue Ridge Parkway, Lyndhurst, VA 22952
The next four destinations, located about 50 km northeast of Roanoke—the Natural Bridge, the two farms, and the Safari Park—are close to each other, so it is recommended to visit them all when reaching this area.
"Natural Bridge" State Park – Natural Bridge State Park
The Natural Bridge is located in Virginia about 40 miles northeast of Roanoke. It is a giant arch 66 meters high and 27 meters wide. The arch formed through erosion caused by the stream flowing through it. The site has a trail along the stream passing under the arch and continuing upstream to a view of waterfalls at the trail's end. The arch also serves as a natural bridge over the stream for major Highway 11 passing above it. The third U.S. President, Thomas Jefferson, purchased about 600 dunams in the area including the bridge in 1774 for 20 shillings and built a vacation cabin nearby. He stated the arch was nature's most sublime phenomenon. It is also claimed that George Washington visited the site in his youth and carved his initials into the rock.
Address: S Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge, VA 24578
Cider Farm Halcyon days cider co.
7 km north of the Natural Bridge Park is a nice farm growing apples for sale and for cider production in their winery.
You can taste several types of cider here and walk through a lovely apple orchard located nearby on a hilltop with a large shaded gazebo and benches where you can enjoy the orchard view and the quiet.
Google Maps Address: S Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge, VA 24578
Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery
This winery is located on a hill with a lovely view of a vineyard. The site has a bar with wine and beers for tasting. Sometimes live music is played in front of the bar, and a food truck is parked nearby where you can order a good meal. Times for music and food trucks are available on their Facebook page. Tables with umbrellas are set out facing the spectacular view for the enjoyment of patrons. A break for lunch with music, scenery, and wine/beer tasting is recommended here (hours on the website).
Google Maps Address: Great Valley Ln, Natural Bridge, VA 24578
VIRGINIA SAFARI PARK
A nice safari park is located near the two wineries mentioned. In this park, you drive through the safari area to see the free-roaming animals. There is also a walk-through zoo area and an area where you can feed animals or have close encounters for an additional fee.
Google Maps Address: Safari Ln, Natural Bridge, VA 24578
Water Mill - Mabry Mill
At this ancient mill built in 1910, they ground corn and sawed wood. Stream water was directed via channels to the mill to turn a large wheel that powered it. The mill was restored in 1945 by the National Park Service and is now the most photographed thing in the park. The site also has ancient buildings and equipment used by settlers in the past, such as a whiskey distillery, plows, and more.
The mill is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 176, about 90 km southwest of Roanoke.
"The Blowing Rock"
The Blowing Rock is a charming nature site in North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway near a small town of the same name, about 143 km northeast of Asheville. The site features an impressive view of the mountains at a spot with jagged rocks you can climb. Naturally, there is also an Indian love legend surrounding the place. A recommended attraction with pleasant sitting corners, manicured gardens, and beautiful views.
Google Maps Address: The Rock Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
"Grandfather Mountain"
These mountains are located about 30 km west of The Blowing Rock. The site has a winding road leading to the summit, with several stops and many hiking trails of all difficulty levels.
Destinations and Attractions at the Site:
Giant Rocks
At the first destination you reach, there are giant rocks, some cracked, with picnic tables or benches nearby facing the view.
Zoo
Located in the mountains in the animals' natural environment, allowing visitors to see animals not usually encountered, such as bears, pumas, elk, otters, and bald eagles.
The Suspension Bridge
At the final stop at the summit (sometimes there is no parking and a long queue for a space, so arrive early and start here) is the suspension bridge leading to a rocky cliff with a spectacular panoramic view.
Entrance tickets can be purchased on the website.
Google Maps Address: Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville, NC 28646
The City of Asheville and its Surroundings
The southern part of the Blue Ridge Parkway passes just 5 km south of Asheville, North Carolina. This city and its surroundings feature several special attractions detailed in my article: Tours in Asheville and its Surroundings. Therefore, I recommend staying in this city for several nights to serve as a base for star-trips in the nearby mountains and the city itself.
Among the attractions and destinations described in that article are the following places:
Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock is a giant rock cliff about a hundred meters high in the North Carolina mountains, about 40 km southeast of Asheville near the town of the same name:
Flower Bridge in Lake Lure
The "Flowering Bridge" over the Broad River at the entrance to Lake Lure is an old bridge that was facing demolition, and the residents turned it into a flowering garden:
Lake Lure Beach
A recommended large and long sandy beach at Lake Lure, which also includes several water slides:
The Famous Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate is undoubtedly the number 1 tourist destination for visitors to Asheville. Built in 1895, you can take guided or self-guided tours there:
