Can You Rough Camp On The Blue Ridge Parkway?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Camping in the Parkway's Campgrounds is only allowed when the campground is open

. Camping on Parkway lands outside of designated campgrounds or without a permit at backcountry sites is prohibited. The Parkway's eight campgrounds were built years ago and do not currently offer RV hookups.

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Where can I camp my car on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

  • Peaks of Otter Campground. MP (Mile Post) 85.9. Bedford, VA. …
  • Rocky Knob Campground. MP 167. Floyd, VA. …
  • Doughton Park Campground. MP 239.2. …
  • Julian Price Memorial Park. MP 297.0. …
  • Linville Falls Campground RV Park & Cabins. MP 316.4. …
  • Mt. Pisgah Campground.

Can you camp overnight on the Blue Ridge Parkway?


No. Camping is only allowed in one of the Parkway's eight designated camping areas

. Sleeping in a vehicle overnight is not allowed for visitor safety.

Where can I sleep on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

  • Peaks of Otter Lodge – Milepost 85.6. …
  • Mabry Mill Restaurant and Gift Shop – Milepost 176.2. …
  • Northwest Trading Post/Sally Mae's – Milepost 258.7.

Can you camp on the side of the road on Blue Ridge Parkway?


Camping on Parkway lands outside of designated campgrounds or without a permit at backcountry sites is prohibited

. The Parkway's eight campgrounds were built years ago and do not currently offer RV hookups.

Can I grill on the Blue Ridge Parkway?


Parkway picnic areas can have restrooms, grills or fireplaces

, water fountains, picnic shelters, and refuse disposal/recycling facilities.

How many cars have fallen off the Blue Ridge Parkway?

There are

350-360 wrecks along the 469-mile parkway each year

, according to Labrie, but wrecks like this are fairly rare and often an indicator of suicide.

Can you turn around on the Blue Ridge Parkway?


It is sometimes easy to turn around on the Parkway but there are times you'll drive for miles without passing another scenic overlook or safe place to make a u-turn

. I was out on the Parkway near Grandfather Mountain before sunrise (my least favorite time of the day to be honest).

Can you get on and off the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Q: Where does the Blue Ridge Parkway start and end? A: The Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, stretching 469 miles from Rockfish Gap, VA to Cherokee, NC.

Visitors can see the route and the many places to get on and off (access points) on our interactive map.

Which is better Skyline Drive or Blue Ridge Parkway?

The Blue Ridge Parkway does offer similar views, but includes those of North Carolina's mountains – therefore, it's a two-for-one deal that comes with a multi-day trip. There's also more to do along the way of the Blue Ridge, whereas

Skyline Drive offers solid views and great national park hiking access

.

Is alcohol allowed on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

08 percent across the country, including on the parkway. The national park site has even more rules about drinking alcohol. It can be tempting to enjoy a beer or a glass of wine on a picnic or watching the sunset at the Lane Pinnacle Overlook — or any overlook or pull-off. But

it is illegal

.

How long does it take to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway from start to finish?

This is why the parkway is the most visited single unit in the U.S. National Parks System. Driving straight through without stopping would take about

ten to twelve hours

, but three to seven days is needed to explore it well.

Can you spend the night on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

The communities of the Blue Ridge Parkway (and surrounding areas)

offer accommodations for overnight stays from rustic mountain cabins to to luxurious resorts and bed & breakfast inns with all the amenities

.

Can you drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in one day?


You could also drive the entire 469 miles in one day if you really wanted to

. Driving straight on the parkway, without any stops or getting off the parkway to see any of the nearby cities and towns would take about 6 hours.

Is the Blue Ridge Parkway crowded?

The Blue Ridge Parkway historically welcomes nearly 2 million visitors during October through North Carolina and Virginia, making it

one of the busiest months of the year

.

Are there bathrooms on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Though mainly serving as a large arts and craft store, Parkway information is available at NPS office at the Cone Family mansion.

Trails and restrooms are available

.

Can you pull a trailer on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Most overlooks will have ample space for you to pull your RV into.

Some, however, may not be suitable for large RVs or trailers

. These are generally marked with a “No Trailers” sign below the overlook sign.

Is Blue Ridge Parkway safe?


The Blue Ridge Parkway is a safe road

. While it may seem like a detractor, the road is regularly closed in sections for repairs. There are also closures in inclement weather, so you'll never get caught out in the snow or floods.

What vehicles are not allowed on Blue Ridge Parkway?

Trails.

Bicycles and motorized vehicles

are not permitted on Parkway trails. Helmets are required for motorcycle operators and passengers.

Are drones allowed on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

For example,

you can't fly a drone on the Blue Ridge Parkway

, but you can fly it nearby, in areas that aren't under the jurisdiction of the NPS or state parks.

Is it free to drive on Blue Ridge Parkway?


No fee is charged

to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Can you drive to the top of Grandfather Mountain?

Do I have to drive or can I take a shuttle bus to the top of the mountain?

You drive your own vehicle up the two-mile road to the summit

, stopping at overlooks, picnic areas and the Nature Museum as fits your own schedule.

How long does it take to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway from Cherokee to Asheville?

Section Estimated Time Asheville (MP 382) to Cherokee (MP 469)

3 hours

How many people drive off the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Blue Ridge Parkway Established June 30, 1936 Visitors

14,099,485 (in 2020)
Governing body National Park Service Website Blue Ridge Parkway

What is the prettiest part of the Blue Ridge Parkway?
  • Mabry Mill. Milepost 176. This pitstop is one of the most photographed sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and for good reason. …
  • Rough Ridge. Milepost 302.8. …
  • Beacon Heights. Milepost 305.2. …
  • Flat Rock. Milepost 308.3. …
  • Mount Mitchell. Milepost 355.4. …
  • Craggy Pinnacle. Milepost 364.1.

Is the Blue Ridge Parkway scary?

Re: Blue ridge parkway- scary drive ?

Its not scary at all

. I have never felt that there weren't adequate guard rails or you are driving too close to a cliff. Its definitely slower driving than a normal highway, as it is more twisty, but there are many places to pull off and see the view.

Is the Blue Ridge Parkway worth it?

Blue Ridge Parkway is a very scenic drive spanning across Virginia and North Carolina, in USA. Meandering for 469 miles (755 km) and providing opportunities for enjoying all, it's

one of the most scenic drives in the USA with unparalleled views of American beautiful landscapes

.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.