Planning a Blue Ridge Parkway motorcycle trip

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The Linn Cove Viaduct curving around a forested mountainside in autumn, with blue ridges beyond.

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 755 km (469 mi) along the ridges of the Appalachians, from Shenandoah National Park near Waynesboro, Virginia, to Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina. It's a road for flowing curves and long views, not for speed, and riding it is free.

What the riding is like

The speed limit is 72 km/h (45 mph) at most, and lower in places. Even at the limit, the whole Parkway is more than 10 hours of riding, so plan it as a trip of several days rather than one long day.

There are overlooks and picnic areas all along the road. Use them: stopping often is how you see the Parkway, and how you stay fresh for the curves.

Before you go

Everything on the Parkway is found by milepost (MP), from MP 0 in Virginia to MP 469 in North Carolina. Use the mileposts to plan your stops and where you leave the Parkway for the night.

There's no fuel on the Parkway itself. Fuel up in the towns just off it, such as Roanoke, Boone, Blowing Rock and Asheville, and don't pass one with a low tank.

Sections close for weather and repairs, most often from November to March, and some sections damaged by Hurricane Helene in 2024 were still closed in 2026. Check the Parkway's road status and closures before you ride.

When to go

Each season looks different. Late spring and early summer bring rhododendrons in bloom, and fall brings the colors and the biggest crowds. Weather changes quickly at this height, so pack layers and rain gear whatever the month.

Aerial view of a road winding through forested Blue Ridge mountains at dusk.

Five stops worth making

From north to south:

  • Mabry Mill (MP 176): a historic gristmill and sawmill, and one of the most photographed spots on the Parkway. There are demonstrations of traditional milling and crafts, and in fall the colors make the picture.
  • Linn Cove Viaduct (MP 304): a bridge that curves around the side of Grandfather Mountain, with views over the mountains and valleys. Pull over near it for photos.
  • Grandfather Mountain (MP 305): a private park with an admission fee, home to the Mile High Swinging Bridge, a nature museum and wildlife habitats.
  • Linville Falls (MP 316): a waterfall a short hike from the Parkway, with several viewpoints over the gorge and trails from easy to hard.
  • Craggy Gardens (MP 364): known for its rhododendrons in late spring and early summer. A short trail to the top gives you views all the way around, best at sunrise and sunset.

If you end at Cherokee, the Tail of the Dragon is on the far side of the Smokies.

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