In Virginia, the Parkway highlights the rolling agricultural scenery that is so much a part of the Blue Ridge. The main story is how humans have interacted with the land in these mountains. Visitors are introduced to a variety of cultural sites and landscapes associated with communities in the southern Appalachians including evidence of human occupation from prehistoric to contemporary times.

Early stories of tourism in the mountains and examples of arts, crafts, music, and social institutions of the region make a visit to the Virginia section of the Parkway one filled with lasting memories. Much of the road travels through US National Forest lands as well and, north of Roanoke, the drive is dominated by a ridge-top experience with magnificent views of the flora and fauna of Appalachian hardwood forests and sweeping vistas of the Great Valley of Virginia.

 

Look below for milepost by milepost highlights along the Parkway in Virginia with links so you can explore even further.  By clicking on the thumbnail pictures, you'll get a larger picture.

Milepost	Elevation	Highlights along Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia (north to south)
0.0	1909 ft	Rockfish Gap - US 250/I-64 and Skyline Dr Jct.  Waynesboro, VA is 4 miles west.
0.2	2054 ft	Afton Overlook
2.0	2148 ft	Rockfish Valley Overlook
2.2	2170 ft	VA 610 - Appalachian Trail access
2.9	2354 ft	Shenandoah Valley Overlook
4.4	n/a	VA 609 JCT
5.8	2353 ft	Humpback Rocks Visitor Center. Restrooms, Souvenir Store.  HIKE - Self-Guiding Mountain Farm Trail.
6.1	2360 ft	Humpback Gap Overlook and Parking Area.  HIKE - 1 mile to The Rocks & 2.2 miles to Humpback Mountain.
8.5	n/a	Humpback Rocks Picnic Area - 91 sites and 2 comfort stations.  HIKE - 0.3 miles to Catoctin View.  Two miles to Humpback Mountain or 3 miles to Humpback Rocks.
8.8	3007 ft	Greenstone Overlook. HIKE - Self-Guiding Greenstone Trail (0.2 mile). VIEWS
9.2	2878 ft	Laurel Springs Gap
9.6	2940 ft	Dripping Rock Parking Area - Appalachian Trail Crossing. HIKE - AT south 0.4 miles to Cedar Cliffs for great views.  You can continue south on AT for another 1.1 miles to Ravens Roost for more views.  If you do both hikes it's a 3.0 mile round trip.  It's only 0.8 mile roundtrip for just the Cedar Cliffs hike.
10.4	3113 ft	Rockpoint Overlook.
10.7	3200 ft	Ravens Roost Overlook  picnic table
11.7	2940 ft	Hickory Spring Parking Area picnic table
13.1	2697 ft	Three Ridges Overlook  picnic table - Appalachian Trail access
13.7	2637 ft	Reeds Gap - Appalachian Trail access.  VA 664 & VA 814 JCT.
15.4	2597 ft	Love Gap - Appalachian Trail access via Fire Road leads to Maupin Field Shelter
16.0	2700 ft	VA 814 - Sherando Lake Recreational Area is 4.5 miles to the west.
17.6	2695 ft	The Priest Overlook picnic table - The 300 foot Priest Overlook Trail leads to a bench overlooking Torry Ridge.
18.5	2549 ft	White Rock Gap. Small parking area for the White Rocks Falls Trail.  (1.6 miles to falls)
19.0	2715 ft	Twenty Minute Cliff Overlook picnic table
19.9	2800 ft	The Slacks Overlook picnic table  White Rocks Falls Trail.  (0.9 miles to falls)
22.1	3250 ft	Bald Mountain Overlook picnic table - Access to St Mary's Wilderness
23.0	3294 ft	Fork Mountain Overlook - Access to St Mary's Wilderness
23.4	3334 ft	Highest point on parkway north of the James River.
25.6	3033 ft	Spy Run Gap
26.4	3200 ft	Big Spy Overlook.  HIKE - The 0.1 mile Big Spy Trail leads up a gentle grassy hill & loops back to parking area. VIEWS
27.2	2969 ft	Tye River Gap. VA 56 JCT.  Steeles Tavern, VA is 6 miles west.  Six miles east is trailhead for Crabtree Falls.
29.0	3000 ft	Whetstone Ridge.
31.4	3000 ft	Stillhouse Hollow Parking Area picnic table
34.4	3140 ft	Yankee Horse Parking Area picnic table - The 0.2 mile Yankee Horse Trail leads to the 30' Wigwam Falls and loops back to the parking area.  Old Logging railroad exhibit.
37.4	2200 ft	Irish Gap.
37.5	2200 ft	VA 605 JCT.
38.8	2523 ft	Boston Knob Overlook picnic table - The 0.1 mile Boston Knob Loop Trail offers a chance to stretch your legs.
40.0	2177 ft	Clarks Gap.
42.4	2665 ft	View Irish Creek Valley
44.4	2567 ft	White's Gap Overlook  picnic table
44.9	2485 ft	Chimney Rock Mountain Overlook
45.6	2312 ft	Humphreys Gap. US 60 JCT.  Buena Vista, VA is 4 miles west.
45.7	2325 ft	View Buena Vista.
47.5	2098 ft	Indian Gap Parking Area.  The 0.2 mile Indian Gap Trail is a loop leading to some interesting truck size boulders.
48.9	2481 ft	Licklog Springs Gap
49.3	2498 ft	House Mountain Overlook
50.1	2412 ft	Robinson Gap
51.5	n/a	Appalachian Trail access. Parking. HIKE - AT south to Bluff Mountain (VIEWS, Strenuous, 3.5 mile roundtrip)
52.8	1850 ft	Bluff Mountain Overlook
53.1	n/a	Bluff Mountain Tunnel (630 feet long)
53.6	1755 ft	View Rice Mountain
54.1	1560 ft	Browns Creek
55.1	1460 ft	White Oak Flats Overlook picnic table - The 0.1 mile White Oak Flats Trail offers a chance to walk alongside a small stream.
55.2	1458 ft	Otter Creek
55.9	1300 ft	Dancing Creek Overlook picnic table
57.6	1085 ft	Upper Otter Creek Overlook
58.2	1055 ft	Otter Creek Flats Overlook picnic table
59.7	885 ft	Otter Creek Overlook
60.4	825 ft	The Riffles Overlook
60.8	800 ft	Otter Creek Recreational Area.  Campground, Otter Creek Gift Shop & Restaurant.  Otter Creek Trail.
61.4	760 ft	Terrapin Hill Overlook picnic table -  Otter Creek Trail.
61.6	n/a	Otter Creek Bridge.  VA 130 JCT.
62.5	685 ft	Lower Otter Creek Overlook picnic table (across creek) - Otter Creek Trail.
63.1	655 ft	Otter Lake Overlook.  Fishing & Hiking on Otter Lake.  Otter Creek Trail. Otter Lake Loop Trail.
63.2	646 ft	Lowest point along Blue Ridge Parkway.
63.6	649 ft	James River Visitor Center.  Rest Rooms, Gift Shop & hiking.
63.7	670 ft	James River Bridge
63.9	680 ft	US 501 JCT.  Glasgow, VA is 9 miles north and Lynchburg, VA is 15 miles south.  James River Face Wilderness.
67.1	n/a	Falling Rock Creek.
69.1	1874 ft	James River Valley Parking Area Overlook picnic table
71.0	2361 ft	Petite's Gap.  Appalachian Trail access.  Cave Mountain Lake Recreational Area is 8 miles west.
72.6	2884 ft	View Terrapin Mountain.
74.7	3485 ft	Thunder Ridge Overlook picnic table - HIKE - Thunder Ridge Trail via AT to VIEWS (0.1 mile)
74.8	3510 ft	Thunder Hill
74.9	3515 ft	Appalachian Trail access
75.5	3700 ft	View Arnold Valley Overlook   Appalachian Trail access.
76.3	3883 ft	Appalachian Trail access. HIKE - AT south to Apple Orchard Mtn (1.8 mile round trip) VIEWS
76.5	3933 ft	Apple Orchard Mountain Overlook
76.7	3950 ft	Highest Point on Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.
78.4	3472 ft	Sunset Field Overlook. Apple Orchard Falls Trail leads 1.4 miles down to 150' waterfalls.  Appalachian Trail access.
79.7	3145 ft	Onion Mountain Overlook picnic table - The 0.2 mile Onion Mtn Loop Trail leads thru a maze of rhododendron & mountain laurel.
79.9	3195 ft	View Black Rock Hill.
80.5	3187 ft	USFS Road 190 crossing.  Appalachian Trail access to Cornelius Creek Shelter.
81.9	2861 ft	View Headforemost Mountain.  Water fountain.
83.1	2560 ft	Fallingwater Cascades Parking Area.  HIKE - The Fallingwater Cascades Trail.  Entering Peaks of Otter Recreational Area.
83.5	2511 ft	Wilkinson Gap.
83.6	2610 ft	Flat Top Trail Overlook.  Flat Top Mountain Trail.
85.6	2525 ft	Peaks of Otter Lodge/Restaurant & gift shop.  Restrooms.  HIKE - Abbott Lake Loop Trail (1.0 mile)
85.9	2545 ft	Peaks of Otter Visitor Center  VA 43 JCT.  Camping, Camp Store, rest rooms, Picnic Area . Hike Harkening Hill, Johnson Farm and Elk Run Trail. RECOMMENDED - Take the shuttle to top of Sharp Top Mountain and hike 1.5 miles downhill to your car. VA 43 east 15 miles to Bedford, VA.
89.1	1916 ft	Powell's Gap - North Creek Campground is ten miles away.
89.4	1925 ft	View Upper Goose Creek Valley Overlook
90.0	2102 ft	View Porter's Mountain
90.9	2258 ft	Bearwallow Gap. VA 43 JCT.  West 5 miles to Buchanan, VA.  Appalachian Trail access.
91.8	2435 ft	Mills Gap Parking Area picnic table - Appalachian Trail access.
91.9	2525 ft	Mills Gap
92.1	2415 ft	View Purgatory Mountain
92.5	2415 ft	Sharp Top Parking Area.  Appalachian Trail access.  Appalachian Trail Wayside Exhibit.
93.1	2418 ft	Boblett's Gap Overlook.  Appalachian Trail access.
93.2	n/a	Bobblets Gap.  Appalachian Trail access.  Bobblets Gap Shelter just south on AT.
94.1	n/a	Hammond Trail.  Appalachian Trail access.
95.2	2490 ft	Pine Tree Overlook
95.3	2524 ft	Harvey's Knob Overlook. Appalachian Trail access.
95.9	2441 ft	View Montvale Town picnic table - Appalachian Trail access.
96.0	n/a	Spec Mine Trail (2.8 miles one way).
96.2	2364 ft	Iron Mine Hollow
96.4	2372 ft	Iron Mine Hollow
97.0	2340 ft	View Taylor's Mountain.  Appalachian Trail access.
97.7	2402 ft	Black Horse Gap.  Last time on BRP for Appalachian Trail access.
99.6	2493 ft	The Great Valley Overlook picnic table
100.9	2170 ft	Quarry Overlook
101.5	1985 ft	Curry Gap - USFS Road 191 crossing.  Right to AT and Fullhardt's Knob.
105.8	1133 ft	US 460 JCT.  West 9 miles to Roanoke, VA.
106.9	1151 ft	N & W Railroad Overlook.  Notice how civilization is appearing at this overlook.
107.0	1150 ft	View Coyner Mountain. This overlook seems to be overgrown.
109.8	1163 ft	Read Mountain Overlook
110.6	1275 ft	Stewarts Knob Overlook.  Stewarts Knob Trail (0.1 mile) leads to a bench. Start of the Roanoke Recreational Area
112.2	n/a	VA 24 JCT.  West 5 miles to Roanoke, VA.  Good spot to get gas.
112.9	1000 ft	View Roanoke Basin Overlook
114.7	825 ft	Roanoke River Bridge
114.9	985 ft	Roanoke River Overlook.  Roanoke River Trail (0.4 mile)  Roanoke Recreational Area
115.0	n/a	Virginia's Explorer Park Spur Road.  Visitor Center, Restrooms, Hiking, Brugh Tavern.  NOTE:  The Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority or “VRFA” – Virginia’s Explore Park’s governing board of directors – ceased regular operations of Explore Park on November 30, 2007. The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, including its gift shop and exhibits, remains open on a seasonal basis.  Roanoke Recreational Area
120.3	n/a	Roanoke Mountain Loop Rd.  Four mile loop road leads to top of Roanoke Mountain.  Roanoke Recreational Area
120.4	n/a	Mill Mountain Spur Rd. Campground, Chestnut Ridge Trail, Zoo, Roanoke Star.  Roanoke Recreational Area
121.4	n/a	US 220 JCT.  West 5 miles to Roanoke, VA.
123.2	1465 ft	Buck Mountain Overlook. Buck Mountain Trail  A 0.5 mile moderate hike leads to a bench.
124.4	1160 ft	Back Creek
126.6	1425 ft	Masons Knob Overlook
128.7	1875 ft	Metz Run Overlook
129.3	2032 ft	Poages Mill Overlook
129.6	2125 ft	Roanoke Valley Overlook
129.9	2200 ft	Lost Mountain Overlook
133.0	2860 ft	Slings Gap Overlook
133.1	2825 ft	Slings Gap
133.6	2890 ft	View Bull Run Knob
134.3	2786 ft	Lancaster Gap
134.9	2975 ft	View Poor Mountain
135.9	2690 ft	Adney Gap. US 221 JCT
138.5	2889 ft	Sweet Annie Hollow
139.0	3013 ft	Cahas Knob Overlook
143.9	2687 ft	Devil's Backbone Overlook
144.8	2703 ft	Pine Spur Overlook
149.1	n/a	VA 640 - Kelley Schoolhouse.  Recently this old schoolhouse was purchased by the National Park Service.
154.1	2564 ft	Smart View Overlook
154.5	2564 ft	Smart View Recreation Area Picnic Area .  Restrooms.  Smart View Loop Trail (2.6 miles).  Trail's Cabin.
157.6	2806 ft	Shortts Knob Overlook
162.4	2477 ft	Rakes Mill Pond
165.3	2752 ft	Tuggle Gap. VA 8 JCT.  Floyd, VA is six miles north.
167.1	3582 ft	Rocky Knob Campground (82 tent sites).
168.0	3880 ft	The Saddle Overlook.  Self Guiding Trail to an old AT shelter with a view.
168.8	3195 ft	Rock Castle Gorge Overlook.  Rock Castle Gorge Trail.
169.0	n/a	Rocky Knob Visitor Center.  Picnic Area , Restrooms, Gift Shop.  Black Ridge Trail, Picnic Area Loop Trail.
169.1	n/a	Twelve O'clock Knob Overlook.  Rock Castle Gorge Trail
174.1	n/a	Rocky Knob Cabins
176.2	2855 ft	Mabry Mill. Mabry Mill Restaurant, Gift Shop, Restrooms, Self Guiding Pioneer Industry Trail.
177.7	2960 ft	US 58 JCT.  Meadows Of Dan, VA.
179.3	2800 ft	Round Meadow Overlook.  Round Meadow Creek Loop Trail (0.5 mile)
183.4	2875 ft	Pinnacles Of Dan Gap
188.8	3025 ft	Groundhog Mountain Overlook.  Picnic Area (26 sites), restrooms, observation tower.
189.1	2950 ft	View Pilot Mountain Overlook
189.9	2848 ft	Puckett Cabin Parking Area.  Historic Building.
199.4	2925 ft	US 52 JCT (to I-77)  Fancy Gap, VA.
202.8	3015 ft	Granite Quarry Overlook
203.9	2900 ft	View of Piedmont
206.1	2759 ft	Pipers Gap
206.3	2744 ft	VA 97 JCT.  West 10 miles to Galax, VA.
213.3	2620 ft	Blue Ridge Music Center.  Visitor Center, restrooms, museum and hiking trails.
215.8	n/a	VA 89 JCT.  North 7 miles to Galax, VA.
216.9	n/a	Virginia/North Carolina State Line.  (see North Carolina Highlights for more Blue Ridge Parkway info).

Follow the links to pictures, hiking maps and more description of the area.  (click on pics for larger image)