Blue Ridge Parkway: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome - Oconaluftee Visitor Center

  Discover the numerous scenic overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway, providing breath-taking views of the Appalachian Mountains and opportunities for photos, picnics, and exploration.

• Ballhoot Scar Overlook

  Learn about the scarred landscape at Ballhoot Scar Overlook, a result of logging practices in the early 20th century, where logs were rolled downhill, leaving a lasting mark on the mountain.

• Ancestral Cherokee Land

  Explore the rich history of the Cherokee people who inhabited this land for thousands of years, their culture, and their connection to the natural environment.

• Thomas Divide

  Encounter the legend of ghost lights at Thomas Divide Overlook, where mysterious orbs have been reported, sparking tales of the supernatural in this area.

• Big Witch Overlook

  Discover the story of Big Witch, a Cherokee medicine man and eagle hunter, whose role in Cherokee culture and the end of an age-old tradition is recounted.

• Ancient Medicine

  Learn about the Cherokee's deep knowledge of herbal remedies and natural resources, including aluminum potassium sulfate, used for various purposes, and how these remedies continue to influence Appalachian culture.

• Bunches Bald Overlook

  Explore the concept of Appalachian Balds, unique mountaintop areas where trees are scarce, and hear the Cherokee legend of Ulagu, the monstrous wasp-like creature.

• Plott Balsam Overlook

  Uncover the origin of the Plott Hound, an American breed of hunting dog, and the remarkable story of how Henry Plott's family bred them into existence.

• An Animal Conspiracy

  Delve into Cherokee folklore explaining the connection between humans, plants, and animals, highlighting the importance of respect for nature.

• Soco Gap

  "The Ambush Place": Learn about the strategic significance of Soco Gap in Cherokee history, where the Cherokee defended their land from invasion by the Shawnee tribe.

• Thunderstruck Ridge Overlook

  Enjoy the potential for stunning sunset views from this overlook while gaining insight into the varying forest ecosystems of the Blue Ridge Mountains at different elevations.

• Why Trees Lose Their Leaves

  Hear the Cherokee legend explaining why some trees lose their leaves in winter while others, like the pine, remain evergreen, emphasizing the importance of kindness and sharing.

• Waterrock Knob Visitor Center

  Enjoy stunning long-range mountain views at the Blue Ridge Parkway's highest visitor center, where you can also picnic and stargaze on clear nights.

• Yellow Face Overlook

  Get the best view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, dominated by the 6,000-foot Yellow Face Mountain, offering a panoramic scope of the Appalachian Mountains.

• The Indian Removal Act

  Learn about the tragic history of the Cherokee people's forced relocation from their ancestral land to Oklahoma due to the pursuit of valuable natural resources.

• Trail of Tears

  Understand the heartbreaking journey of the Cherokee during the Trail of Tears, where thousands lost their lives in the brutal march westward.

• Cherokee Rose

  Discover the legend of the Cherokee Rose, symbolizing the tears shed during the Cherokee's removal, and its resilience in the face of destruction.

• Eagles

  Learn about the decline and resurgence of bald eagles in the Blue Ridge region, from near-extinction to their successful return, thanks to conservation efforts.

• What's In a Name?

  Uncover the science behind the Blue Ridge Mountains' distinctive bluish haze, caused by the emission of isoprene from its abundant trees.

• Blue Ridge Becomes a Park

  Explore how the Blue Ridge Mountains transitioned from industrial exploitation to a tourist destination, aided by President Roosevelt's New Deal initiatives.

• Building the Parkway

  Understand the lengthy construction process of the Blue Ridge Parkway, connecting Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, and its final completion.

• Abbie Rowe

  Acknowledge the pivotal role of Abbie Rowe's photography in promoting the Blue Ridge Parkway and attracting visitors to the region.

• Roy Taylor Forest Overlook

  Learn how Congressman Roy Taylor's conservation efforts preserved this forested area, preventing it from becoming a pulpwood source.

• Richland Balsam Overlook

  Reach the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering a fragrant forest of red spruces and Fraser firs at 6,053 feet above sea level.

• Cowee Mountain Overlook

  Capture breathtaking 180-degree panoramic views from one of the parkway's highest spots, providing a picturesque vista.

• The Milky Way

  Hear the Cherokee legend of the Milky Way's formation, involving a celestial dog and the scattering of cornmeal grains as stars.

• The Pleiades

  Discover the Cherokee legend of the Pleiades, or "The Seven Boys," who ascended into the sky to play forever, leaving blazing campfire stars in their wake.

• Rough Butt Bald Overlook

  Discover the geological origins of the term "butt" in topography and enjoy the view of the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains.

• Cathedral Falls And French Broad Falls

  Explore a peaceful hiking trail leading to picturesque waterfalls and an abandoned mill.

• Hidden Gems of the Blue Ridge

  Learn about the billion-year-old history of the Blue Ridge Mountains and their wealth of minerals, including precious gems.

• Black Balsam Knob

  Experience a diverse Appalachian hike with fragrant fir trees, meadows, and breathtaking mountaintop vistas.

• Creation of the World

  Hear the Cherokee legend of how the world and its mountains were formed by the Great Buzzard.

• Skinny Dip Falls Trailhead

  Visit a waterfall where swimming is encouraged, complete with a natural diving board.

• Birds of the Blue Ridge

  Learn about the diverse bird species in the Blue Ridge Mountains, from herons to peregrine falcons.

• Salamander Capital of the World

  Explore the unique creatures of the mountains, including the spruce-fir moss spider and various salamander species.

• Fryingpan Mountain

  Climb a retired fire watchtower for a 360-degree panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains

• Pisgah Inn and Observation Deck

  Enjoy a scenic overlook from the highest developed area on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Pisgah Inn.

• Mills River Valley Overlook

  Experience a 360-degree panoramic view of Chestnut Ridge and Big Ridge, ideal for birdwatching.

• Forest Fires

  Learn about the low risk of forest fires in the Blue Ridge Mountains due to the region's cool and moist climate.

• Bad Fork Valley

  Enjoy a serene view of the Bad Fork Creek and its surrounding laurel blossoms.

• George Washington Vanderbilt

  Delve into the story of George Washington Vanderbilt and his sustainable estate, the Biltmore Estate, the largest house in the USA.

• A Green Estate

  Learn about George Vanderbilt's pioneering efforts in sustainability, from self-sustaining agriculture to early renewable energy.