The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most popular destinations in North Carolina. Located at milepost 384 in Asheville (and with several entrance ways throughout the state) the Blue Ridge Parkway allows North Carolinians and travelers to explore uncharted mountain wilderness, hiking trails, waterfalls, and sometimes just breathtaking scenery right from the comfort of your car. But the Blue Ridge Parkway also has its ‘secrets,’ or better yet, surprising facts. Some you might have never known, like these 16.
1. In 1935, construction began on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
2. Those in the Civilian Conservation Corps did much of the nearby landscaping. Working on roadside planting and fixing up fields and forests not far off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Flickr / Frank Kehren
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3. The entire project took more than 52 years to complete.
5. As the most visited National Park in the U.S, the Blue Ridge Parkway has twice the amount of visitors per year as Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone combined!
10. The Blue Ridge Parkway is the longest and highest continuous route in the Appalachia region. Elevation varies from a mere 649 ft. to a daring 6,047 feet at Richland Balsam.
15. On the Parkway, it is illegal to gather the leaves of the Galax Plant. These leaves have been used for medicinal purposes in the Southern Appalachia region for years and years.
Wow, who knew the Blue Ridge Parkway held so many interesting facts? Did you know any of these, or did you know most of them? When is your favorite time for a drive on the Parkway?
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