These 15 Photos Show There's No Place As Scenic As The Blue Ridge Parkway In Virginia
By Beth|Published May 20, 2020
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
There’s nothing like taking the scenic route to appreciate the abundance of natural beauty all around us. That’s why the Blue Ridge Parkway holds a particularly special place in our hearts. This designated scenic drive meanders through the mountains and links Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in North Carolina. Whether you complete just a portion of the drive or make the entire trip, you’ll be spellbound by the beauty of this linear drive.
If you can’t make the trip in the near future, the following beautiful photos of the Blue Ridge Parkway should tide you over until you can.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is America's longest linear park, running 469 miles between the states of Virginia and North Carolina.
You'll find hundreds of designated overlooks along the parkway. Each point also indicates the current elevation. For the complete Parkway Milepost Guide, you can click here.
Perhaps the most famous landmark is Mabry Mill in Floyd County, Virginia. Located at Milepost 176.1, this highly-photographed attraction includes a self-guided tour and gentle walking trails.
You can learn more about Mabry Mill by clicking here.
The highest elevation of the Blue Ridge Parkway is 6,053 feet at Richland Balsam in North Carolina. It's here that you can experience a rare Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest.
The average speed limit along the parkway is 45 MPH, although you'll want to drive carefully and admire the views along the way. Truly, there's something to admire at every turn!
Keep an eye out for the abundance of wildlife along the parkway. Deer, bears, and elk are among the 67 species of mammals who call this region home.
No matter the season, the Blue Ridge Parkway offers visitors endless mountain vistas, fascinating history lessons, and inspires gratitude for its sheer existence.
What are your thoughts on these gorgeous photos of the Blue Ridge Parkway? Did they remind you of previous trips? We’d love to hear all about your experience! For related content, you might be curious to check out these vintage photos of the construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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