Blue Ridge Parkway Tour: Self-Guided Drive

Welcome to the Blue Ridge Parkway Tour

Experience the beautiful southeast along the Blue Ridge Parkway! Cruise from the edge of the Great Smokies National Park to Shenandoah on this scenic highway bathed in blue mist. Snap photos from jaw-dropping overlooks, spot incredible wildlife, and uncover the fascinating history and legends of the Cherokee as you drive. This self-guided driving tour reveals the parkway’s best sites and the hidden history behind them all!

Begin your tour in Cherokee, Asheville, Roanoke, or Afton, and drive in either direction.

About the Tour

Your Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Drive tour can begin at any of the following locations: Cherokee, NC; Asheville, NC; Roanoke, VA; Afton, VA. From there, you can drive in either direction.

The tour is broken up into three sections: Cherokee to Asheville, Asheville to Roanoke, and Roanoke to Skyline Drive. If you want to see the whole parkway, from Great Smoky Mountains National Park all the way to Shenandoah National Park, you can do so! But if you’d rather break your trip up into smaller pieces and explore at different times, that’s also absolutely an option. Once you buy this tour, it’s yours for life so that you can explore the Blue Ridge Parkway entirely on your own schedule.

Cherokee to Asheville

Discover North Carolina’s stunning beauty along the westernmost stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. While driving, you’ll have the opportunity to stop at countless jaw-dropping overlooks such as Cowee Mountain and Cherry Cove Overlooks. Some of these also feature incredible hiking trails, like Skinny Dip Falls Trail, which leads to a sparkling wilderness waterfall.

As you drive, you’ll also get acquainted with the Native tribes of the region, such as the Cherokee. You’ll hear plenty of history and legends belonging to these people and revisit dark yet important periods of time like the infamous Trail of Tears. Plus, dig into the history of Asheville as you approach North Carolina’s most picturesque city!

Asheville to Roanoke

Watch the serenity of North Carolina give way to the ruggedness of Virginia along this middle stretch of the Parkway. Experience stunning vistas at Chestoa Viewpoint and Grandview Overlook, visit critical monarch butterfly migration routes, and uncover unlikely local heroes like a bear named Mildred.

Along the way, get ready to pass plenty of small, historic towns as well. Looking out across those distant villages, you’ll learn about the history of industry in the Appalachians—the rise, the fall, and the persistence of the hardy residents of these towns.

Roanoke to the Skyline Drive

Bridge the gap between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the breathtaking Skyline Drive with this easternmost portion of your tour. Cruise across scenic mountain landscapes that were tourist hotspots even before the ubiquity of the automobile, like the Peaks of Otter. Check out parts of the famous Appalachian Trail. Get to know the Seneca and the adventures of a little-known 1700s wilderness pioneer. And end it all at another national park well worth exploring!

Whether you’re looking to enhance a scenic drive or really dive into the weeds and explore, this 3-part tour gives you the tools to do it. So what are you waiting for? Buckle up and hit the road!

BONUS TOUR: This tour also includes a bonus walking tour of Asheville.

NOTE: Parkway areas are closed for ongoing road maintenance, construction, and Helene recovery projects, as well as impacted areas. To know more, click here.

Want all of our tours? Upgrade to Action+:

• An annual $99.99/year subscription offers access to over 200+ tours.
• Unlimited use throughout the year.
• Includes free access to new tours as they are released.