“Lord, I’m good and dusty, but I’m finally home.”
A ribbon of asphalt stretching over 469 miles, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most celebrated and engineered roads in America, conceived not just for transportation, but as a continuous, linear national park. This scenic highway is famous for its haunting, perpetual blue haze, an optical illusion caused by the release of isoprenes from the dense forests that cover the Appalachian peaks.
This is more than just a drive; it’s an immersion into the ancient soul of the mountains. Trace a route bathed in blue mist, stretching from the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park all the way to Shenandoah. You will journey through a land defined by dramatic vistas, tenacious wildlife, and the enduring heritage of the people who call these ridges home.
With the Blue Ridge Parkway Tour: Self-Guided Drive, you’ll have a traveling historian riding shotgun, transforming your beautiful drive into a deep dive into the hidden history and captivating legends you pass.
Spot stunning beauty from high-altitude overlooks like the jaw-dropping Cowee Mountain and Chestoa Viewpoint. Follow the trails of the Cherokee people and uncover the history of industry and resilience in the distant villages of the Appalachians. Your journey crosses critical sites along the famous Appalachian Trail and brings you right to the Peaks of Otter, a popular tourist spot even before the invention of the automobile.
The Fine Print: We’ve packed this tour with history and scenery, but we are not responsible if you get hypnotized by the blue mist, attempt to adopt a local bear named Mildred, or pull over to try to hitchhike with a passing monarch butterfly.
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.
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Blue Ridge Parkway Map
Where To Start?
Starting Address:
Blue Ridge – Northbound – Highlands & Plateau (Asheville to Roanoke)
Blueridge Parkway Visitor Center: Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, 195 Hemphill Knob Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, United States
Blue Ridge – Northbound – Pisgah Region (Cherokee to Asheville)
Oconaluftee Visitor Center: Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719, United States
Blue Ridge – Northbound – Ridge Region (Roanoke to Afton)
Blue Rdg Pkwy, 118 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA
Blue Ridge – Southbound – Highlands & Plateau (Roanoke to Asheville)
3627 Franklin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA
Blue Ridge – Southbound – Pisgah Region (Asheville to Cherokee)
Blueridge Parkway Visitor Center: Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, 195 Hemphill Knob Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, United States
Blue Ridge – Southbound – Ridge Region (Afton to Roanoke)
Blue Rdg Pkwy, 24JR+CQ, Afton, VA 22920, USA
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Audio Story Highlights
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Welcome - Oconaluftee Visitor Center
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Ballhoot Scar Overlook
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Ancestral Cherokee Land
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Thomas Divide
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Big Witch Overlook
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Ancient Medicine
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Bunches Bald Overlook
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Plott Balsam Overlook
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An Animal Conspiracy
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Soco Gap
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Thunderstruck Ridge Overlook
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Why Trees Lose Their Leaves
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Waterrock Knob Visitor Center
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Yellow Face Overlook
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The Indian Removal Act
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Trail of Tears
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Cherokee Rose
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Eagles
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What's In a Name?
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Blue Ridge Becomes a Park
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Building the Parkway
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Abbie Rowe
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Roy Taylor Forest Overlook
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Richland Balsam Overlook
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Cowee Mountain Overlook
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The Milky Way
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The Pleiades
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Rough Butt Bald Overlook
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Cathedral Falls And French Broad Falls
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Hidden Gems of the Blue Ridge
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Black Balsam Knob
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Creation of the World
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Skinny Dip Falls Trailhead
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Birds of the Blue Ridge
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Salamander Capital of the World
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Fryingpan Mountain
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Pisgah Inn and Observation Deck
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Mills River Valley Overlook
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Forest Fires
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Bad Fork Valley
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George Washington Vanderbilt
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A Green Estate
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
It covers a vast stretch of this scenic highway, from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park, revealing stunning overlooks, wildlife sightings, and the rich history and legends of the Cherokee people.
You can start this tour from multiple locations: Cherokee, NC; Asheville, NC; Roanoke, VA; or Afton, VA. You have the flexibility to choose your starting point and drive in either direction along the parkway.
The journey goes from Cherokee to Asheville, Asheville to Roanoke, and Roanoke to Skyline Drive. Each segment has unique sights, overlooks, hikes, and historical lessons. You can walk the parkway in one go or in smaller sections, depending on your inclinations.
The Blue Ridge Parkway has several attractions, including Cowee Mountain and Cherry Cove Overlooks, Skinny Dip Falls Trail, monarch butterfly migration paths, and historic communities.
Absolutely! The Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Drive Tour is self-guided, allowing you to explore the parkway entirely at your own pace. You can take your time at each location, stop for hikes or photos, and enjoy the scenic drive on your schedule.
Yes, this tour includes a bonus Asheville walking tour. You can walk around the city and discover its distinctive attractions, history, and culture, as well as drive the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Drive Tour is suited for all ages. No matter the season, this excursion is fun, but seasonal and weather concerns should be considered.
Explore 200+ Tours
Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free. Assistance available all day via call, chat, or email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Valid for multiple visits up to 1 year after purchase.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated videos, text guides, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
