Things to do near the Blue Ridge Park Way

[Jim W]

My DW and I are planning a June trip to the Blue Ridge park way. With several stops at different cities, states and camping parks to stay at. We are not very familiar with the state of VA and NC, would like some recommendations on attractions and things to do. We do not want to travel to the coastal area just staying around the Blue Ridge Park Way. We will be camping in Hillsville, VA area first then moving on to Ashville, NC.

We do know about the Biltmore Estate and planning on checking this out.

Thanks for the info.

Jim

 

[KLauber]

Go to the end of the parkway next to Cherokee, NC. there's a really nice KOA there. You'll see elk running through the meadows. Stop in Asheville and check out the Grove Park Inn, a really cool hotel. Hot Springs just north of Asheville is also a nice place to visit. Of course there is the Great Smoky Mtn Railroad in Dillsboro, NC, about 45 miles SW of Asheville. Its all good...

Ken

 

[GHarman]

Redbuds and Dogwood

If I remember correctly, those trees should be blooming through the forests around home. In May, the Mountain Laurel really puts on a show with blooms on bushes poking out of rocky cliffs, above the river. There were always splashes of color to be seen in some of the most unlikely places! GregH

 

[Andersonville]

MANY civil war battlefields and museums in those valleys from Gettysburg to Knoxville. Many have reenactments in the summer.

 

[MGreer]

We usually stay a couple nights at the Ashville West KOA on our way to Myrtle Beach to break up the drive. The campground is close to the highway with easy access. The campground has the best deal on tickets for the Biltmore Estates. You get tickets good for two days for less than the cost of a one day pass purchased at the Estate.

We have stayed at the Cherokee KOA also, and like KLauber stated, it is a very nice campground. It probably has the best scenery of any KOA I have stayed at. It is also located good for traveling through the parkway to Gatlinburg.







Mike

 

[DennyDay]

My wife was born and raised in that area of Virginia and I would start at the north end at Waynesboro, Va. There is a nice CG called North 340 on Hwy 340 just out of Waynesboro. Would make a good jump off point. From south to north starting at I-64 I'll list the major points you would probably like to see.



1. Weyers Cave (cavern)

2. Grand caverns

3. Endless Caverns

4. Luray Caverns

5. New Market Battle Field

6. Skyline Drive

7. Take one day and run up to the W VA to Harpers Ferry Nat'l Historic Park



Going south from I-64



1. Blue Ridge Pkwy

2. Steels Tavern - McCormick Farm

3. Natural Bridge

4. Roanoke - VA Transportation Museum

5. Dixie Caverns - near Lafayette (just off I-81)



Have a nice trip



















6 Skyline Cavern at Front Royal

3.

 

[fest3er]

... Going south from I-64



3. Natural Bridge

4. Roanoke - VA Transportation Museum

5. Dixie Caverns - near Lafayette (just off I-81)

From the Hillsville area, Roanoke is 1-1. 5 hours north. Natural Bridge is about 40 mi. north of Roanoke on I-81. The Peaks of Otter are just north of Roanoke; I believe when conditions are 'perfect', you can see the top of the Washington Monument from there.



The VA Transportation Museum is worth seeing. It has both hardware (locomotives, cars, etc. ) and an O. Winston Link railroad photography display.



There's lot of fishing to be done between Roanoke and Asheville.



The redbuds and dogwoods are blooming now. In June, I believe the rhodadendrons/philodendrons/? will be blooming along the Parkway.



It's hard to move around here without tripping on one bluegrass event or another. Alas, the FloydFest bluegrass festival doesn't happen 'til late July. The Galax Leaf and String Festival happens June 11-12. The Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax has 'regional music' concerts throughout the summer. The Hills of Home Bluegrass Festival is May 27-29 in Coeburn, VA (about 120 miles W of Hillsville). 10 mi. west of there in Norton is the VA-KY Opry.



There are a few of us TDR folk in the area, as well, if jawin' is more yer speed.

 

[WCounts]

Cades cove near Townsend Tn.

Billy

 

[GaryOwen]

The Cradle of Forestry on highway 276 near Brevard (south of Asheville) has the first forestry school in America. It is a recreation with cabins, school, etc. Usually some demonstrations also. Forestry school was built by Vanderbilt (Biltmore Estate) to maintain the forests in his estate.



A few miles from there is Sliding Rock - a nice place to cool off if you don't mind getting wet.



Brevard Music Center nearby offers classical music in an open air auditorium if bluegrass is not your style.



Nice Forest Service campground near Brevard (Davidson River Campground).

 

[CUMMINZ]

There is a section of the Parkway below Boone, NC that is very small and curvy. Our favorite out of the way campground that is actually just off the Parkway is "BearDen Campground". Campgrounds North Carolina, Camping in North Carolina, Camping in Western North Carolina, Bear Den There is no sign but the turnoff is on the left at a gate that is used to close the parkway during heavy snow. Their number is 828-765-2888



The drive back thru the timber is exciting but you can make it. Ask for C1 or C3 then C10 thru C14 next.



If you stay at BearDen you can make day trips to Linville Falls/Caverns and GrandFather Mtn.



Here are some photos of BearDen area and the parkway.

2007 RAM 3500 6. 7L Cummins and camping trips



Turnoff to BearDean is just north of AltaPass area

 

[dspoon]

Great campground right off the parkway Raccoon Holler Campground / RV Camping / North Carolina Mountains / Blue Ridge Parkway