Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Key facts

What's included

Itinerary

1. Stop 1

   As we drive along the parkway, you'll notice spots on the road where you can pull your vehicle to the side. These overlooks are designed to spotlight the mountains' most scenic vistas. There are over 200 of them along the whole Blue Ridge Parkway! Each one features a large wooden sign that lists the name of the mountain or ridge you're looking at, and your current elevation. It's nice to give a little personal touch to the otherwise anonymous and similar-looking mountains that you drive through. NOTE: This 550+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Blue Ridge Parkway in 5+ hours. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

   5 minutes

2. Stop 2

   Welcome to the Blue Ridge Parkway! The scenic drive follows the iconic Blue Ridge–– that's what we call the eastern side of the Appalachian mountains. As you drive through scenic vistas of majestic mountains, we'll learn about the native Cherokee, the pioneer settlers, and Appalachian culture today. When you’re ready, exit the Visitor Center parking lot and turn left onto the main road.

   5 minutes

3. Stop 3

   If you look out at the ridge beyond, you'll notice a blemish on the landscape, where it looks like the surface of the mountain was scraped off. The scar resembles the aftermath of a landslide. And it kind of was a landslide…. a man-made one.

   5 minutes

4. Stop 4

   This land was once home to the Cherokee. No one knows exactly how long they lived here, but archaeologists have found artifacts dating back 11,000 years! The Cherokee refer to themselves as "Aniyunwiya," or "the principled people." But when Spanish explorers arrived, they recorded the name as "Chalakee" instead

   5 minutes

5. Stop 5

   Folks have reported seeing ghost lights–– dancing white orbs that have no known explanation. These reports aren’t new either. Some locals recall family stories of the lights that date back to the 1700s! At night, you may find dozens of cars parked along the side of the road, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious mountain lights.

   5 minutes

6. Stop 6

   Big Witch was the name of a Cherokee medicine man. But Big Witch didn’t just mix poultices and perform rituals. He was also an eagle hunter! You might be thinking, what kind of doctor kills birds in his line of work? You see, eagle feathers were considered sacred, and they were necessary for healing ceremonies

   5 minutes

7. Stop 7

   The Appalachian mountains are generally covered in trees from base to peak, but a few mountaintops look more like a grassy prairie than a dense forest. These patches are known as Appalachian Balds, and Bunches Bald is one of them.

   5 minutes

8. Stop 8

   The Plott name is still famous in the Appalachian region, but you’ll never guess why! Henry Plott's family immigrated here from Germany in the late 1700s. They decided to settle in the Blue Ridge Mountains with their children… and five German hunting hounds.

   5 minutes

9. Stop 9

   In the early 1700s, the Cherokee were at war. Not with the encroaching settlers, but with another tribe, the Shawnee. The two tribes were naturally separated by the Blue Ridge Mountain range, which kept them apart… most of the time

   5 minutes

10. Stop 10

    As this overlook faces directly to the west, it's a great place to watch the sunset. If you manage to get the timing just right, you're certain to be "thunderstruck" by the brilliant orange sky above the foggy blue mountains.

    5 minutes

11. Stop 11

    This is Blue Ridge Parkway's tallest visitor's center! Located at 5,820 feet in elevation, this location is known for its stunning long-range views of several major Appalachian mountain chains.

    5 minutes

12. Stop 12

    This overlook perhaps gives you the best view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Yellow Face Mountain is clearly visible. Beyond it, you can see rows and rows of subsequent ridges, each one fading into the characteristic mist of the Blue Ridge.

    5 minutes

13. Stop 13

    From the Trail of Tears emerged the legend of the Cherokee Rose. The flower, in full bloom, features a cluster of snow-white petals surrounding a yellow center. In the story, each petal represents a band of the Cherokee nation, and in the center lies the gold for which their nation was torn apart. In order to access that gold, the white settlers had torn off all the petals.

    5 minutes

14. Stop 14

    This scenic turnout features a little wooden observation deck so you can get a more immersive view of Blue Ridge. It might seem hard to believe now, but this robust forest was once in serious danger!

    5 minutes

15. Stop 15

    This is where you'll find 180-degree views from one of the highest spots on the parkway. Definitely have your camera ready for this panoramic vista!

    5 minutes

16. Stop 16

    It's not just a joke, it's a topographical term! Check out the view. You can see how the mountain ridge seems to suddenly break. In geology, a butt is a ridge that comes to an abrupt end and appears broken off, like the butt of a cigarette.

    5 minutes

17. Stop 17

    A half-mile walking trail leads over three wooden bridges toward an abandoned historical mill. The wooden mill sits right at the bottom of Mill Shoals. Across the river, there's yet another waterfall: French Broad Falls. This marks the intersection between the French Broad River and Shoal Creek, and it's pretty as a picture.

    5 minutes

18. Stop 18

    Black Balsam Knob is one of Blue Ridge's most popular hikes for a reason. It's got a little of everything that makes the Appalachians special, from dense forests to the wide-open meadows and mountaintop vistas.

    5 minutes

19. Stop 19

    Skinny Dip Falls, swimming is not only tolerated–– it's encouraged! This destination features both a waterfall and a swimming hole. You can climb right up the boulders to the top of the waterfall, making this a favorite spot for energetic kids and athletic adults.

    5 minutes

20. Stop 20

    Tons and tons of black cherry trees! In the early fall, thousands of birds are attracted by the ripe fruit on these trees. From here, you might also be able to see Looking Glass Rock. You can easily recognize it by the flat rock face that stands out against all the green trees. It's even more obvious after a rainfall: when the sheer cliff face is wet, it reflects the sun like a gigantic mirror

    5 minutes

21. Stop 21

    The background behind the name is lost to time, but a couple of legends remain. Some say it's because of a pan-shaped freshwater spring; others say the spot was marked by a frying pan hanging from a tree.

    5 minutes

22. Stop 22

    Pisgah Inn is a great place to stop for a moment. The inn features a public cafe, a gift shop of local artisan crafts, and a country store for all your Parkway travel necessities. But the REAL reason to visit Pisgah Inn is the view.

    5 minutes

23. Stop 23

    For a great hike and overlook, take a right just ahead and find a spot to park. This leads to the Mount Pisgah Trailhead.

    5 minutes

24. Stop 24

    At Mills River, you can actually get a good view of the mountains from BOTH sides of the Parkway. Chestnut Ridge is to the west, and Big Ridge is to the east. This 360-degree panoramic scope fully immerses you in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

    5 minutes

25. Stop 25

    Down in the valley below, you'll see the meandering creek of Bad Fork. It's covered by laurel blossoms and surrounded by hardwood forests.

    5 minutes

26. Stop 26

    French Broad River is unique for a few reasons. First, it's believed to be one of the oldest rivers in the entire world, at 250 million years old. Second, it's one of the ONLY rivers in the country that flows to the north rather than south.

    5 minutes

Meeting point & pickup

Meet at the starting point

The tour begins on Franklin Road SW in Roanoke, with the Shell gas station on your left as you start driving.

Cancellation & confirmation