The Blue Ridge Parkway Sections – Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles long and is located in two different states. The Blue Ridge Parkway sections help differentiate the three main sections by location. With a speed limit of 45 miles per hour, it would take over 10 hours to travel the length of the entire BRP. Ten hours of riding with no stops. Many travelers just don’t have that much time. And the parkway is made to stop, relax,  enjoy the scenery,  shop at the visitor centers, picnic at a shelter,  or take a hike on a mountain trail. So knowing exactly where to go helps save time and driving time. I’m going to divide the Blue Ridge Parkway into sections and point out some of the attractions for each section in Virginia and in North Carolina

Skyline Drive

Skyline Drive is located in northern Virginia. It is not part of the BRP, but it is worth mentioning. At the end of Skyline Drive at MP 105 is the beginning of the BRP MP 0. Skyline Drive is 105 miles long. It begins in Front Royal, VA, and ends at Rockfish Gap. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour. There are 4 entrances to Skyline Drive. There is a fee, $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person. The passes are good for 7 days.

 

Skyline Drive has over 70 overlooks as you wind in and around the ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah National Park. It offers wonderful views of the mountains and valleys as well as the national park. While traveling Skyline Drive it is quite common to see wildlife such as whitetail deer, black bears, wild turkey,s and groundhogs.

Areas of Interest on Skyline Drive

• MP 2.8 Shenandoah Valley Overlook – a nice view of the valley
• MP 21 Hogback Overlook – view 11 bends of the Shenandoah River
• MP 28.5 Beahms Gap- access to the Appalachian Trail
• MP 41.7 Entrance to Skyland Resort – the highest point on Skyline Drive (elevation of 1680 ft)
• MP 45.8  Hawksbill Gap – Hawksbill Mountain and the highest point in the park at 4051 ft
• MP 51 and 51.9 Big Meadows -Byrd Visitor Center, Big Meadows Wayside and Lodge, Campground, Picnic Ground, and Hiking trails
• MP 66.5 Hightop Mountain – parking and crossing for the Appalachian Trail
• MP 79.8 Loft Mountain – information center, exhibits, books, maps, and pamphlets. Campground, store, and gift shop.
• MP 105.4 Rockfish Gap –  Skyline Drive ends and Blue Ridge Parkway begins.

 

Blue Ridge Parkway – Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway begins in Virginia at Mile Post 0 located at Rockfish Gap. There is no fee to ride on the BRP at any location along the 469 miles. The first 216.9 miles of the BRP wind through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. While riding along the parkway it is common to see wildlife such as whitetail deer, black bears, wild turkeys, rabbits, groundhogs, and other animals.

Some of the stops along the BRP in Virginia include Rockfish Valley Overlook, Humpback Gap Parking Area, Mabry Mill, Spy Mountain Overlook, Chimney Rock Mountain Pullover, Otter Creek Campground, Otter Lake Overlook, and Apple Orchard Mountain Pullout. A popular stop on this section of the BRP in Virginia is Peaks of Otter Lodge, Campground/ Picnic Area, and Peaks of Otter Visitors Center. At MP 216.9 is the Virginia/North Carolina state line.

Areas of Interest

• MP 5-9.3 Humpback Rocks – 800 acres to enjoy. Visitors Center, mountain farm exhibit, picnic area, and comfort station
• MP 60.8 – Otter Creek – campground, gift shop, and craft shop.
• MP 84-87 Peaks of Otter – Visitors Center, campground, picnic area, and Peaks of Otter Lodge
• MP 114.9 – Roanoke River Overlook – river views and trail
• MP 120.4 Roanoke Mountain – campground and trail
• MP 129.6 Roanoke Valley Parkway Overlook – a nice view of the town of Roanoke, VA
• MP 154.5  Smart View – 500 acres with trails, picnic grounds, comfort stations, and drinking water.
• MP 167 Rocky Knob – 4,88 acres with picnic area, campground, comfort stations, and visitors center
• MP 176.1 Mabry Mill – a restored mill, Appalachian rural life exhibits
• MP 199.5 – Fancy Gap – Junction with US 52. Exit to Hillsville, Wytheville, Pulaski in VA, and Mt. Airy, NC.
• MP 213 Blue Ridge Music Center – outdoor stage and amphitheater. Exhibit “The Roots of American Music”
• MP 216 The Virginia/North Carolina state line

 

 

Map For Skyline Drive

Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Blue Ridge Acres, Virginia

Skyline Drive Ends and BRP Begins

Big Meadows, Virginia

Front Royal, Virginia

Map For Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Section

Blue Ridge Parkway MP 216

State Line

Pilot View Road, Virginia

Mabry Mill Road Southeast, Conners Grove, Virginia

Roanoke, Virginia

Blue Ridge Parkway, Blue Ridge, Virginia

Humpback Rocks Visitors Center, Virginia

Rockfish Gap, Virginia

Blue Ridge Parkway Begins

Be sure to read all 3 parts of the posts Blue Ridge Parkway By Sections.

Here are the links to each of the three posts.

• Part 1   Blue Ridge Parkway By Sections – Virginia
• Part 2   Blue Ridge Parkway By Sections – North of Asheville 
• Part 3   Blue Ridge Parkway By Sections – South of Asheville