Blue Ridge Mountains: Location Across the Eastern U.S.

Geographic Scope

The Blue Ridge Mountains are a major physiographic province of the Appalachian Mountains, stretching from southern Pennsylvania to northern Georgia. They traverse seven states:

• Pennsylvania (northern terminus near Gettysburg)
• Maryland (narrow crossing near Frederick)
• West Virginia (eastern panhandle: Harpers Ferry, Charles Town)
• Virginia (core: Shenandoah National Park, Peaks of Otter, Mount Rogers)
• North Carolina (Grandfather Mountain, Linville Gorge, Mount Mitchell)
• South Carolina (northwestern corner: Table Rock, Caesar's Head, Jocassee Gorges)
• Georgia (southern terminus: Springer Mountain, start of Appalachian Trail)

Key Subranges & Features

• Shenandoah Mountains (VA)
• Great Balsam Mountains (NC)
• Great Smoky Mountains (NC/TN) — often treated separately but geologically continuous
• Unaka Mountains (NC/TN)
• Cohutta Mountains (GA/TN)

Blue Ridge Parkway

The 469-mile scenic highway connects Shenandoah National Park (VA) to Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC/TN), tracing the ridge crest.