The Parkway is recognized around the world as an international example of landscape and engineering design achievements with a roadway that lies easily on the land and blends into the landscape. It connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.Īs an example of pre- and post-World War II automotive rural parkway design, the Blue Ridge Parkway retains the greatest degree of integrity of any parkway in the United States. Its varied topography and numerous vista points offer easy public access to spectacular views of central and southern Appalachian rural landscapes and forested mountains. 12 miles west to Cherokee, 5 miles east to Maggie Valley.Ĭlick here to view/download the hiking trail map.The Blue Ridge Parkway was the first national rural parkway to be conceived, designed, and constructed for a leisure-type driving experience. Parkway Entrance: At the US 19 Crossover. A short trail, with pedestrian overlooks, leads to the top of the knob. The overlook offers a four-state view including a fine panorama of the Great Smoky Mountains. Has a visitor information center, and comfort station.

Mile 451.2: Waterrock Knob Parking Overlook. Parkway Entrance: At the US 74-23 Crossover. Beautiful views of mountains in the valley below. It’s perfect for camping and berry-picking. While there’s not much of a view, visitors can take a 2.5-mile round trip hike to scenic Wet Camp Gap, a high-elevation grassy area with long-range views. Other Jackson County overlooks worth a stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway include: There are plenty of Jackson County overlooks worth a stop on the Parkway, starting with the Richland Balsam Overlook (Mile 431.4), the highest point at 6,047 feet above sea level.

Click here for live road closure information. The parkway is open year-round except when closed to vehicle traffic due to inclement weather. Construction began in 1935 at Cumberland Knob near the NC/VA state line the final link was finished 52 years later when the Linn Cove Viaduct opened in 1987. The 470-mile linear parkway, of which Jackson County borders some 45 miles, connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with Western North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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