Recreation > Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the high crests of the central and southern Appalachians for 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The parkway provides some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, ranging from 650 to 6,000 feet in elevation.

The Blue Ridge Parkway has several rest areas and overlooks that are maintained by the National Park Service that offer hiking, camping, dining, or the ability just to stop at the numerous overlooks. It encompasses some of the oldest settlements of both pre-historic and early European settlement. Visitors can trace much of the history of Appalachian culture by observing overlook signs, visitor center exhibits, restored historic structures, and developed areas.

Carroll County features 30 miles of spectacular scenery along the parkway, between Mileposts 182 and 212. Three cultural stopping points are the Groundhog Mountain Scenic Overlook with picnic area(MP 188.8), Orlean Puckett Cabin (MP 189.9), and on the edge of the county is the Blue Ridge Music Center (MP 213). An important access point to the parkway in Carroll County is at Fancy Gap (MP 199.5) which intersects with Route 52 and is near Interstate 77(exit 8). Blue Ridge HOST, Inc. operates a visitor center open seven days a week at Fancy Gap.

For more information regarding Blue Ridge Parkway visit http://www.nps.gov/blri/.