The first stop along our tour, this state-run park has a visitor center with helpful staff and a gift shop featuring arts and crafts from local artists. Want to start the day off with a hike? This place has you covered, with a variety of trails for all levels of experience. There’s even a section with a zipline, obstacle course, and trampoline park.

This hotel is within sight of the Visitor Center. It is the only food and lodging available directly on the Parkway itself. Reservations are recommended if you would like to stay in one of the rooms, but any visitor is welcome to enjoy the restaurant. There’s sit-down dining or grab-and-go food available. Don’t forget to check out the view of the Peaks of Otter from behind the lodge! There’s also a peaceful walk around a manmade lake. It’s paved, shady, and ADA-compliant. It’s the least difficult walk on your tour today, and should only take about 30 minutes, depending on how much of the scenery you want to take in.

One of the more popular overlooks along the Parkway, Thunder Ridge gives a panoramic view of the Arnold Valley below. There is a stone platform that gives you the opportunity to take outstanding pictures with no interruptions. Additionally, there is a short 10-minute leg stretcher trail back to the parking lot. Also features access to the Appalachian trail for a much longer hike.

A true hidden gem just off of the parkway, Sherando lake features several outdoor activities. There is a beach, ideal for relaxing or playing in the sand. There are two man made lakes, one for fishing and the other for water sports like swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. There are multiple trails with all levels of difficulty. There is even a Visitor Center which features all of the amenities you could ask for. Fees/requirements: $8 per vehicle up to 8 passenger capacity for day use. $2 per person for vans and buses carrying more than 8 passengers.

Raven’s Roost is one of the most popular overlooks on this section of the Parkway. It should only take a few minutes for you to see why. A gorgeous panorama of the valley and mountains below, with two possible locations for photographs. As the name suggests, ravens frequently roost nearby, so it is not uncommon for you to see them perched at this overlook, or soaring high above the valley.

This is the final Visitor Center on our tour today, as well as the second-to-last stop. In addition to the museum exhibits, this is a great place to plan your next Virginia road trip. You can also get a last minute souvenir, or ask any questions at the ranger station. Outside of the Center itself, there are a variety of trails, including a branch of the Appalachian Trail. There’s also a very easy one that will take you through a re-creation of a settler’s farmstead. Historical reenactors will demonstrate techniques and give lectures on how the settlers survived in the Blue Ridge region. There is also a more difficult trail that leads to the Humpback Rocks themselves, with a 360 degree view as your reward.

This smaller Visitor Center is definitely worth the visit. For one thing, it is the lowest point on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway.Features in the Center include information panels about the natural history of the Parkway area, as well as a ranger-staffed desk. But don’t forget about the trails! There are two short trails that start from the Visitor Center. The Trail of Trees is an easy 30-minute walk through the woods which features plaques full of information about what you’re seeing. There’s also a pair of overlooks here, giving you a gorgeous view of the James River. The second trail is another easy 30 minute walk called the Canal Lock Tour. It leads you over a modern footbridge and along a grassy path to a real, historic part of a canal. This lock demonstration has all of the information you could want about how goods and people were moved along the James River in the 18th and 19th centuries. Finally, the James River Visitor Center features a large picnic area. There are abundant picnic tables in the shade. You also have a serene view of the James River as you eat!

There are two short walks at Yankee Horse Ridge Trailhead. One leads along the re-created tracks of an abandoned railroad, originally used to move timber from a logging operation. If you walk to the left of the tracks, you will see another trail that leads to Wigwam Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls on this section of the Parkway.

The first overlook on our tour today. Features views of the distant mountains as well as a real, working quarry.

The Great Valley runs through the Appalachian Mountains from New York state all the way down to Alabama. This overlook gives you a fantastic view of the valley below. The valley itself was once used by Native American as part of the Great Warrior path, as well as by settlers on their way to the frontier.

This is another perspective on the mountains, complete with the small town of Montvale in the distance.

Here we have a beautiful 180 degree vista broken only by a lone pine tree. Is this the pine tree that gives the overlook its name? No one is really sure, but it makes for great photographs.

As the name suggests, this overlook offers a profile view of Porter’s Mountain. Additionally, you can see down into the Goose Creek Valley, over 2000 feet below.

The first visitor center along the Blue Ridge Parkway today is also the most popular. It has everything you could possibly want. There’s a museum dedicated to the natural history of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is a ranger-staffed desk for all of your questions about the area. There’s a general store with provisions for the road, as well as a gift shop for souvenirs. There’s even a restroom, if you feel the call of nature. In the rear of the Center, you will find an amphitheater that hosts presentations, as well as the start of two separate trails. The Elk Run trail is moderately easy, and should take you about 45 minutes. The Harkening Hill trail, on the other hand, is pretty difficult and will take around 5 hours total. We recommend the Elk Run, it’s far more manageable and will help you get back on the road.

Despite the name, there are no apples to be found at the Apple Orchard Falls Trailhead. What you can find is a moderately strenuous walk down to a beautiful waterfall. Though relatively small, the falls are quite picturesque and make for a great reward for navigating this well-marked trail. Remember, though, it’s not the walk down that’s difficult, it’s the walk back up!

Once again, there are unfortunately no apples to be found here at this overlook. What you can find is a breathtaking view, as this is the highest Parkway elevation in all of Virginia at 3950 feet above sea level.

A moderately difficult loop trail that takes around Otter Lake. There’s a stone bridge over the creek as well as a man made waterfall and a fishing pier (if you already have the required license)

If you skip over the longer trail at Otter Lake, Indian Gap Rocks is a great stop for stretching your legs. It is under a mile out and back, and features several rock formations.

Located just a few minutes off of the Parkway, Buena Vista is an ideal stop if you need to fill up on gas. It’s also perfect for food, with several local restaurants and national chains, with something for everyone.

Chimney Rock Mountain is another wonderful overlook, this time boasting trees in the middle, giving you two different views for the price of one.

You can see for miles and miles from the Irish Creek Valley Overlook. The Creek and valley were named for the Scotch Irish immigrants who settled in the area in the 17th century.

More of a short break than a true Visitor Center, Whetstone ridge is only necessary if you need to use a clean restroom. There are no other amenities at this stop.

If you did not stop to stretch your legs at Whetstone Visitor Center, you have another chance here at this 10 minute short trail. It leads up a hill where you can get a decent view of the surrounding mountain.

This overlook was named for an interesting trick of the light. From the nearby town of White Rock, the sun will hit these rocks exactly 20 minutes before sundown in the Summer.

This is the final stop on our tour, and it does not disappoint. Afton Overlook is a great overlook for a last look at the Blue Ridge Mountains, especially if you are here as the sun sets.