Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway from the Southern Terminus

The pinpoint for this particular entrance starts just outside of Cherokee, North Carolina, following the Parkway North.

They say the Blue Ridge Parkway is more than just a road, it's a beautiful journey. Start this journey and you will quickly find this to be true. This 469 mile gateway connects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Along the way, you will find yourself surrounded by ever-changing stunning views, 369 miles of trails (everything from a short-leg stretch to a challenging trek,) 382 overlooks, 910 vistas, 600 miles of streams, 2,074 plant species and an abundance of wildlife.

The Parkway is open year-round, but sections may be closed in winter due to ice and snow, so make sure to check on the status and closures before you plan your winter drive.

Side note: The Country Store on the parkway in front of Pisgah Inn, milepost 408.6, has wi-fi. It does require a password, so hop in, grab some snacks or a map and ask about the wi-fi.