The Blue Ridge - America's Longest Rural Parkway

Published on Jul 7, 2005

The diverse history and culture of the southern Appalachian Mountains await visitors along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Split-rail fences, old farmsteads, and historic structures complement spectacular views of distant mountains and neighboring valleys. Showing its richness in cultural history with such places as Virginia's Explore Park, every step taken along the parkway will provide you with experiences to remember.

Built during the Depression, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the nation's longest rural parkway, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The design of the Parkway was an engineering stroke of genius for its time. Now the Blue Ridge Parkway ushers travelers through the forested mountains, leading to several intriguing stops along the way. Among these are spectacular rock formations, rivers, ridges, and overlooks, such as Crabtree Falls, Virginia, the largest vertical-drop waterfall east of the Mississippi River.

If you are in Virginia looking for something to share with the whole family, find it along the Blue Ridge, from attending concerts at the Blue Ridge Music Center to swimming and fishing at the Sherando Recreation Area. During the summer months, activities include ranger-led talks and exhibits for visitors to learn more about the history of this area. Costumed guides at Humpback Rocks Farm Museum and Visitor Center give demonstrations about what life was like at the turn of the century. And while hiking along forested trails of the Jefferson or George Washington Forests, you will come across buildings that date back to the early settlers of the area at the Cyrus McCormick Farm in the Shenandoah Valley.

As you follow the Blue Ridge to the eastern rampart of the Appalachians, take a moment to stop by Black Mountain in North Carolina, which maintains the feel of an early Appalachian town. The Black Mountains loom in the distance, providing a wonderful backdrop as you stroll through the streets of this early-settled Appalachian town. Step into the past at the Oconaluftee Indian Village and learn how this native civilization lived over 225 years ago, or visit Cherokee, home of the eastern band of Cherokee Indians. Climb up to the top of Chimney Rock to see the world spread out beneath you.

At Stone Mountain State Park in northeastern North Carolina, walk along the banks of a river, or pull out a fishing pole to do some trout fishing. Here, rock and water combine to create this stunning landscape. For a higher elevation near the Virginia border, Cumberland Knob is a delightful spot to walk through fields and woodlands. At Craggy Gardens, choose one or all of the three trails offered here, and see why this area is famous for their late-blooming rhododendrons and other flowers. At the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the southern end of the byway, view the smoke-like haze that gave these majestic mountains their name.

North Carolina's Linville Caverns invite you to explore the inside of Humpback Mountain. Spelunk through rooms full of color and fascinating forms. Or stay above ground and try to capture the cascading water of the Linville Falls on film. After viewing the scenery on foot, take a break on the Tweetsie Railroad, which will take you on a captivating trip over the mountains of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Ranked as "America's most scenic drive" by leading travel writers, every season offers activities of all kinds while providing you with beautiful scenery and celebrating the culture of the surrounding Appalachian communities. From learning how to make sorghum at Mabry Mill to hiking at Peaks of Otter, every moment along the Blue Ridge Parkway is time well spent.

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