# Blue Ridge Parkway

> A national parkway along the crest of the Appalachians, joining Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains national parks.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/destinations/blue-ridge-parkway/

A national parkway along the crest of the Appalachians, joining Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains national parks.

- **Length:** 469 mi
- **Speed limit:** 45 mph
- **Suggested time:** 3–7 days
- **Best season:** May & Oct

## Before you go

- There are no billboards, no trucks and no entrance fee, but you can't go faster than 45 mph.
- Mileposts count from 0 in Virginia to 469 in North Carolina. Everything along the road is located by them.
- Fall color peaks in mid-October at high elevations, and weekends get crowded.

## Virginia: milepost 0 to 217

Start at Rockfish Gap and climb Humpback Rocks for the first big view. Natural Bridge is a short detour, and Mabry Mill at MP 176 is one of the most photographed spots on the parkway.

## North Carolina: milepost 217 to 469

The road gets higher and twistier. The Linn Cove Viaduct curves around Grandfather Mountain. Asheville is a good base for Biltmore and Chimney Rock, and the southern end winds up to Cherokee and the Smokies.

## FAQs

**Is the Blue Ridge Parkway open in winter?**
Sections close for ice and snow, especially at high elevations. Check the National Park Service road status map before you go.

**Can RVs drive the parkway?**
Yes, but several tunnels in North Carolina have clearances under 11 feet at the edges. Check your rig height against the posted clearances.