Blue Ridge Parkway

Just 53 miles from The Tail of the Dragon is the entrance to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most visited roads in America’s National Park System.   Extending along the Blue Ridge Mountains, this scenic Parkway offers incredible views year round but especially during the fall when the trees display their spectacular autumn colors. 

A Depression era project, the Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (Milepost 0) with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina (Milepost 469).   Boasting over 200 scenic overlooks you could conceivably stop an average of every 2.5 miles along the 469 mile route! 

You will find North/South directional signs at each entrance to the Parkway along with mile markers.  When traveling North the numbers will go down and when traveling South they will go up. 

Travel is slow along the Parkway, especially in the busy summer and fall months.  Generally the speed limit is 45 miles per hour with a few areas posted at 35 miles per area. Gas is found by exiting the Parkway and following state highways into local towns.

Many visitors plan their travel times around nature’s flower and foliage displays.  The azaleas and rhododendrons put on a show of pink, red, and white blooms from Mid May to June.

The much anticipated fall foliage colors start around the middle of October.  Keep in mind that the weather and large altitude variations (650 to 6,000 feet) will play a major role in where and when the colors peak. 

For similar incredible sites you might also want to travel the nearby Cherohala Skyway. 

Getting There… 

From Robbinsville, NC (approx. 42 miles)

• Head East on NC-143
• Turn Right onto NC-28
• Turn left onto US-74
• Take Exit 69 toward Ela
• Turn right at US-19
• Follow US-19 to Cherokee
• Turn left at US-441
• Follow US-441 about 2.8 miles
• Take slight right at Blue Ridge Parkway Entrance 

From the Dragon at Deals Gap (approx. 53 miles)

• From the US-129 and NC-28 Intersection (The Store)
• Head East onto NC-28 (this is a right turn if heading North on US-129 and a left turn if heading South on US-129)
• Follow Balance of Instructions From Robbinsville, NC (Turn Left at US-74, etc)