As suggested by its name, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a park unto itself. This 469-mile-long linear park runs through the Blue Ridge chain of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. The National Park Service oversees the entire parkway, which is connected to two major national parks at each end. Road trippers looking for a scenic, easygoing trek through the higher elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains would to do well to make this journey, where the speed limit never rises above 45 mph and is more commonly posted at 35 mph.
The only national park in Virginia connected to the Blue Ridge Parkway is Shenandoah National Park at its northern terminus. Shenandoah is a large, elongated park noted for its pristine forestland blanketing the high, undulating mountains. Once you reach the park after driving along the parkway, it's time to get out of the car and explore some of the hundreds of miles of trails, including the famed Appalachian Trail that runs between Georgia and Maine. Some of the more breathtaking scenery along the Appalachian Trail is found on the mountain balds, ridgelines and overlooks inside Shenandoah, where taking short day hikes is a common activity for those traveling by car.
At the southern end of the parkway you'll find Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This most-visited U.S. national park straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina; the Blue Ridge Parkway connects to the park on the North Carolina side. Head to Clingman's Dome to take in the view from the observation tower -- the highest point in the park. Cades Cove provides visitors the chance to explore a wide, serene mountain valley and perhaps spot wildlife such as white-tailed deer and black bears (from a distance) while touring some historic sites from the days of the early settlers to the region.
Where the Blue Ridge Parkway meets Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive begins. Essentially, it's the same road as the Blue Ridge Parkway, but it's called Skyline Drive inside the park. It runs the length of the park for 105 miles, and the highest speed limit is 35 mph. Like the parkway, it has plenty of overlooks where you can pull off to view the scenery and wildlife. Tack on this extra journey to your parkway driving itinerary if only for the bountiful display of colorful wildflowers by the side of the road in the spring and summer.
The mileposts of the Blue Ridge Parkway start at zero at Shenandoah National Park. So if you're at, say, mile marker 200, it means you're 200 miles from Shenandoah to the north and 269 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the south. Mileposts are on the western side of the parkway. The largest cities close to the parkway are Roanoke in Virginia and Boone and Asheville in North Carolina. During the winter road closures are common because of snow and ice at the higher elevations and in the tunnels. Check with the park service about closures before embarking on your drive.
