Ultimate Guide to Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway: Scenic Road Trip Itinerary
Wanderlust is a strong desire to travel, but in Virginia, we call it WanderLove. Discover the most scenic and adventure-packed road trips across the Commonwealth, featuring top outdoor activities, historic sites, dining spots, and lodging to enhance your journey.
Stretching 469 miles through the majestic Appalachian Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway links Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. Starting in Afton and heading south, this fee-free route passes key towns like Waynesboro (Milepost 0), Buena Vista (Milepost 46), Buchanan (Milepost 86), Roanoke, and Fancy Gap (Milepost 200).
With a 45 mph speed limit, the Parkway invites leisurely drives to savor every vista. Follow this expert guide for the best restaurants, hotels, wineries, and must-see attractions along Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway. Note: Weather or maintenance may cause closures. Call 828-298-0398 or check the real-time status before traveling.
Blue Ridge Parkway: Afton to Roanoke
116 miles, ~3 hours 5 minutes
Amid mountain terrain, the Parkway offers endless outdoor pursuits. Hiking trails abound—from quick leg-stretchers to multi-day Appalachian Trail sections.
Near Afton’s North Entrance, Humpback Rocks features popular trails: the strenuous 1-mile Humpback Rocks Trail or an Appalachian Trail route.
Other highlights include Upper & Lower Shamokin Falls (2.1 miles, waterfalls), Three Ridges Hike (14.4-mile backpacking loop), White Rock Falls Loop (4.7 miles, moderate), and Crabtree Falls Trail (2.5-mile loop to the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi, ~6 miles off-Parkway). Cross the Appalachian Trail multiple times for bucket-list section hikes.
Detour to Wintergreen Resort for year-round adventures: two 18-hole golf courses (spring-fall), lake activities at Lake Monacan, winter skiing/snowboarding/tubing, hiking trails, tennis, spa, restaurants, and pools.
Picnic at Sherando Lake Recreation Area, mountain bike Big Levels 4x4 Trail (17 miles), or ATV on South Pedlar ATV Trail System (19 miles, April-November; permits required).
Visit Natural Bridge Historic Landmark, a 215-foot limestone arch on the National Register of Historic Places, once owned by Thomas Jefferson. Explore 6 miles of trails in surrounding forests and meadows.
Cross the James River to Milepost 85.6 at Peaks of Otter (Sharp Top, Flat Top, Harkening Hill). Hike: Flat Top (5.6 miles, panoramic views), Sharp Top (2.6 miles, 360° summit), Harkening Hill (3.5-mile easy loop). Enjoy picnics, camping, wildlife exhibits, and visitor center programs.
Before Roanoke, see the historic Buchanan Swinging Bridge (366 feet long, dating to 1851). Rent kayaks/canoes/tubes from Twin River Outfitters for James River paddling.
Scenic Overlooks & Viewpoints—See All
Afton Overlook—Milepost .2
Rockfish Valley Parking Overlook—Milepost 1.5
View Shenandoah Valley—Milepost 2.9
Greenstone Overlook—Milepost 8.8
Rock Point Overlook—Milepost 10.4
Ravens Roost Overlook—Milepost 10.7
Three Ridges Overlook—Milepost 13.1
The Priest—Milepost 17.6
20-minute cliff overlook—Milepost 19
The Slacks Overlook—Milepost 19.9
Bald Mountain Overlook—Milepost 22.1
Fork Mountain Overlook—Milepost 23
Big Spy Mountain Overlook—Milepost 26.4
Boston Knob Overlook—Milepost 38.8
Irish Creek Valley Overlook—Milepost 42.2
White’s Gap Overlook—Milepost 44.4
Chimney Rock Overlook—Milepost 44.9
View Buena Vista—Milepost 45.7
House Mountain View—Milepost 49.3
Punchbowl Mountain Overlook—Milepost 51.7
Bluff Mountain Overlook—Milepost 52.8
White Oak Flats Overlook—Milepost 55.1
Dancing Creek Overlook—Milepost 55.9
Upper Otter Creek Overlook—Milepost 57.6
Otter Creek Flats Overlook—Milepost 58.2
Otter Creek Overlook—Milepost 59.7
The Riffles Overlook—Milepost 60.4
View Terrapin Hill—Milepost 61.4
Lower Otter Creek Overlook—Milepost 62.5
Otter Lake Overlook—Milepost 63.1
View Terrapin Mountain—Milepost 72.6
Arnold Valley Overlook—Milepost 75.3
Apple Orchard Mountain Overlook—Milepost 76.5
Sunset Field Overlook—Milepost 78.4
Onion Mountain Overlook—Milepost 79.7
View Black Rock Hill—Milepost 79.9
View Headforemost Mountain—Milepost 81.9
Upper Goose Creek Valley Overlook—Milepost 89.4
Porter Mountain Overlook—Milepost 90
Mills Gap Overlook—Milepost 91.8
Purgatory Mountain Overlook—Milepost 92.1
Boblett’s Gap Overlook—Milepost 93.1
Pine Tree Overlook—Milepost 95.2
Harvey’s Knob Overlook—Milepost 95.3
Montvale Overlook—Milepost 95.9
Iron Mine Hollow Overlook—Milepost 96.2
Taylor Mountain Overlook—Milepost 97
The Great Valley Overlook—Milepost 99.6
The Quarry Overlook—Milepost 100.9
N & W Railroad Overlook—Milepost 106.9
View Coyner Mountain—Milepost 107
Read Mountain Overlook—Milepost 109
Stewart Knob Overlook—Milepost 110.6
View Roanoke Basin—Milepost 112.9
Dining: Restaurants, Breweries, Wineries & More
12 Ridges Vineyard—Milepost 25. World wines with mountain views.
Nelson 151 Trail—Route 151 features wineries, breweries, cideries, distillery.
Royal Oaks Country Store—Classic store with breakfast/lunch.
DeVine Cafe & Wine Shop—Milepost 14, Wintergreen. Coffee, wine, gourmet goods.
Peaks of Otter Winery—Fruits, pick-your-own; check hours.
Lodging: Hotels, Resorts & More
The Iris Inn—Luxury inn/cottages/cabins overlooking Shenandoah Valley.
Wintergreen Resort—11,000 acres; four-season activities, spa, dining.
Fenton Inn—Bavarian-style luxury inn.
Royal Oaks Cabins—Milepost 16; fireplaces, hot tubs, views.
Sugar Tree Inn—Pet-friendly, Milepost 27.
Peaks of Otter Lodge—Milepost 86; pet-friendly, restaurant (May-Nov).
Montebello Camping & Fishing Resort—April-Oct; pond fishing.
Peaks of Otter Campground—132 sites; lake stocked with fish.
Blue Ridge Parkway: Roanoke to Virginia/NC Border
103 miles, ~2 hours 27 minutes
Note: Check for closures (e.g., Mileposts 121.2-135.9); use detours via Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge map.
In Roanoke, explore Roanoke River Greenway trails, breweries, dining. Visit Mill Mountain Park: trails, Roanoke Star, wildflowers, zoo.
At Explore Park, enjoy aerial courses, ziplines, camping, hiking, kayaking/tubing via Blue Mountain Adventures, and Twin Creeks Brewpub.
Experience Appalachian culture at Floyd Country Store: music, sweets, meals. Check for outdoor jamborees or streams.
At Rocky Knob Recreation Area (Milepost 169), hike Rock Castle Gorge Trail (10.8 miles). Camp for sunsets/sunrises at Grassy Knoll/Saddle Overlook.
Iconic Mabry Mill (Milepost 176): restaurant, gift shop, gristmill crafts.
Sweet stop: Nancy’s Candy Company in Meadows of Dan—fudge, truffles; order ahead.
End at Blue Ridge Music Center: concerts, trails.
Scenic Overlooks & Viewpoints—See All
Temporary Closure Area—Plan Detour
Buck Mountain Overlook—Milepost 123.2
Masons Knob Overlook—Milepost 126.2
Metz Run Overlook—Milepost 128.7
Poages Mill Overlook—Milepost 129.3
Roanoke Valley Overlook—Milepost 129.6
Lost Mountain Overlook—Milepost 129.9
Slings Gap Overlook—Milepost 132.9
Bull Run Knob Overlook—Milepost 133.6
Poor Mountain Overlook—Milepost 134.9
Parkway Reopens
Cahas Mountain Overlook—Milepost 139
Devil’s Backbone Overlook—Milepost 143.9
Pine Spur Overlook—Milepost 144.8
Smart View Overlook—Milepost 154.1
Shortts Knob Overlook—Milepost 157.6
The Saddle Overlook—Milepost 168
Rock Castle Gorge Overlook—Milepost 168.8
Round Meadow Overlook—Milepost 179.3
Groundhog Meadow Overlook—Milepost 189
View Pilot Mountain—Milepost 189.1
Puckett Cabin—Milepost 190
Mount Airy Overlook—Milepost 202.8
Dining: Restaurants, Breweries, Wineries & More
FarmBurguesa—Farm-to-table burgers in Vinton.
Blue Cow Ice Cream Co.—Artisan ice cream in Roanoke.
AmRhein’s Wine Cellars—Milepost 136; Virginia wines.
Villa Appalaccia Winery—Pet-friendly, Mileposts 170-171.
Chateau Morrisette—Milepost 171.5; views, restaurant (check status).
Mabry Mill Restaurant & Gift Shop—Milepost 176; iconic spot.
The Gap Deli—Fancy Gap; salads, sandwiches (check pickup).
Lodging: Hotels, Resorts & More
The Overlook Cabins—Pet-friendly on horse farm.
Bent Mountain Lodge B&B—Pet-friendly suites with views.
Stonewall B&B—Log cabin in Floyd.
Hotel Floyd—Eco-friendly, pet-friendly.
Tuggles Gap Restaurant & Motel—Historic, Route 8.
Woodberry Inn—Milepost 174.1.
Primland Resort—Luxury; golf, spa, activities.
A Blue Ridge Haven Cabin Rentals—Pet-friendly log cabins.
Meadows of Dan Campground—RV/cabins.
Lonesome Pine Cabins—Rustic near Fancy Gap.
Fancy Gap Cabins & Campground—Pet-friendly with trails/orchards.
