# Blue Ridge Parkway high peaks: Mount Mitchell to Blowing Rock

> 3-day road trip of about 136 km (85 mi) with 9 stops, from Asheville to Boone. About 1 h 31 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b20-brp-mount-mitchell/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 136 km (85 mi) with 9 stops, from Asheville to Boone. About 1 h 31 min of driving in total. The highest stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway: rhododendron balds at Craggy Gardens, Mount Mitchell, Linville Falls, Grandfather Mountain and Blowing Rock.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 136 km (85 mi) |
| Driving | 1 h 31 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 9 |
| Route | Asheville → Boone |
| States | NC |
| Updated | April 29, 2026 |

## Route description

North of Asheville the Blue Ridge Parkway climbs into its highest and wildest section. Join it near US-70 and drive about 30 minutes to Craggy Gardens at milepost 364, where rhododendron blooms on the grassy balds in June. The Craggy Pinnacle trail, under a mile each way, gives one of the best views on the Parkway. Repairs from Hurricane Helene in 2024 still bring 35 mph limits and one-lane traffic here, so check the road status map first.

At milepost 355, NC-128 leads about 5 miles up to Mount Mitchell State Park, the highest point in the eastern US. The road ends at a lot near the summit, and a short paved path climbs to the observation deck. The summit is often in cloud, so bring a jacket even in July. North of here the Parkway was closed to Linville Falls for Helene repairs, targeted to end in late 2026; if it is still shut, return toward Asheville and take I-40 and US-221 via Marion.

At Linville Falls, milepost 316, trails from the parking lot lead to overlooks above and below the double falls where the river enters Linville Gorge; the storm-damaged visitor center has been removed. Continue north to Grandfather Mountain, reached from US-221 near Linville; its entrance road is steep and narrow, and the Mile High Swinging Bridge waits at the top. Just beyond, the Parkway wraps around the mountain on the curved Linn Cove Viaduct, part of the last section completed, in 1987.

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park at milepost 294 has a craft shop in Flat Top Manor and carriage roads for walks, and Blowing Rock town is a mile away, with Boone 15 minutes further on US-321. The drive is about 190 km with the Parkway open. The Parkway has a 45 mph limit, low tunnels south of Mount Mitchell and no fuel stations, so check your RV height against the tunnel clearances and fill up in town.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Asheville** (NC)
2. **Craggy Gardens** (Barnardsville, NC): Grassy balds covered in pink rhododendron in mid-June, reached by short trails from the visitor center at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 364. The nearby Craggy Pinnacle trail gives wide views; winter closures are common.
3. **Mount Mitchell State Park** (Burnsville, NC): At 6,684 feet the highest summit east of the Mississippi, with a road from Parkway milepost 355 to a lot near the top and a short paved path to the observation deck. Free; often cold, windy and in cloud.
4. **Linville Falls** (Linville Falls, NC): A double waterfall where the Linville River drops into Linville Gorge, with trails of about 1–2 miles round trip to overlooks from the lot at the end of the spur road at Parkway milepost 316. Free; Hurricane Helene destroyed the visitor center, so bring water.
5. **Grandfather Mountain** (Linville, NC): A nature park run by a nonprofit foundation, with the Mile High Swinging Bridge between two peaks, native animal habitats and rugged ridge trails. Admission is charged; the entrance road is narrow and steep, with tight bends.
6. **Linn Cove Viaduct** (Linville, NC): A segmented concrete bridge that curves around Grandfather Mountain. It was the last piece of the Blue Ridge Parkway, finished in 1987.
7. **Moses H. Cone Memorial Park** (Blowing Rock, NC): Flat Top Manor, a 1901 mansion on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 294, now a craft center with rocking chairs on the porch. Carriage roads circle Bass Lake and climb Flat Top Mountain; free.
8. **Blowing Rock** (NC)
9. **Boone** (NC)

## FAQs

**How long is Blue Ridge Parkway high peaks: Mount Mitchell to Blowing Rock?**
3-day road trip of about 136 km (85 mi) with 9 stops, from Asheville to Boone. About 1 h 31 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Blue Ridge Parkway high peaks: Mount Mitchell to Blowing Rock?**
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 31 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Blue Ridge Parkway high peaks: Mount Mitchell to Blowing Rock start and end?**
It starts in Asheville and ends in Boone.

**Which states does Blue Ridge Parkway high peaks: Mount Mitchell to Blowing Rock pass through?**
North Carolina.