Blue Ridge Parkway high peaks: Mount Mitchell to Blowing Rock
The highest stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway: rhododendron balds at Craggy Gardens, Mount Mitchell, Linville Falls, Grandfather Mountain and Blowing Rock.
- Distance
- 136 km (85 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 31 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 9
- States
- NC
- Updated
- June 27, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 136 km (85 mi) with 9 stops, from Asheville to Boone. About 1 h 31 min of driving in total.
More road trips in North Carolina · More road trips from Brevard
Route description
North of Asheville the Blue Ridge Parkway climbs into its highest and wildest section. Join it near US-70 and drive about 30 minutes to Craggy Gardens at milepost 364, where rhododendron blooms on the grassy balds in June. The Craggy Pinnacle trail, under a mile each way, gives one of the best views on the Parkway. Repairs from Hurricane Helene in 2024 still bring 35 mph limits and one-lane traffic here, so check the road status map first.
At milepost 355, NC-128 leads about 5 miles up to Mount Mitchell State Park, the highest point in the eastern US. The road ends at a lot near the summit, and a short paved path climbs to the observation deck. The summit is often in cloud, so bring a jacket even in July. North of here the Parkway was closed to Linville Falls for Helene repairs, targeted to end in late 2026; if it is still shut, return toward Asheville and take I-40 and US-221 via Marion.
At Linville Falls, milepost 316, trails from the parking lot lead to overlooks above and below the double falls where the river enters Linville Gorge; the storm-damaged visitor center has been removed. Continue north to Grandfather Mountain, reached from US-221 near Linville; its entrance road is steep and narrow, and the Mile High Swinging Bridge waits at the top. Just beyond, the Parkway wraps around the mountain on the curved Linn Cove Viaduct, part of the last section completed, in 1987.
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park at milepost 294 has a craft shop in Flat Top Manor and carriage roads for walks, and Blowing Rock town is a mile away, with Boone 15 minutes further on US-321. The drive is about 190 km with the Parkway open. The Parkway has a 45 mph limit, low tunnels south of Mount Mitchell and no fuel stations, so check your RV height against the tunnel clearances and fill up in town.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Asheville
NC - 223 km
Craggy Gardens
NatureBarnardsville, NCGrassy balds covered in pink rhododendron in mid-June, reached by short trails from the visitor center at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 364. The nearby Craggy Pinnacle trail gives wide views; winter closures are common.
- 315 km
Mount Mitchell State Park
ViewsBurnsville, NCAt 6,684 feet the highest summit east of the Mississippi, with a road from Parkway milepost 355 to a lot near the top and a short paved path to the observation deck. Free; often cold, windy and in cloud.
- 444 km
Linville Falls
NatureLinville Falls, NCA double waterfall where the Linville River drops into Linville Gorge, with trails of about 1–2 miles round trip to overlooks from the lot at the end of the spur road at Parkway milepost 316. Free; Hurricane Helene destroyed the visitor center, so bring water.
- 522 km
Grandfather Mountain
ViewsLinville, NCA nature park run by a nonprofit foundation, with the Mile High Swinging Bridge between two peaks, native animal habitats and rugged ridge trails. Admission is charged; the entrance road is narrow and steep, with tight bends.
- 63 km
Linn Cove Viaduct
ViewsLinville, NCA segmented concrete bridge that curves around Grandfather Mountain. It was the last piece of the Blue Ridge Parkway, finished in 1987.
- 716 km
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park
HistoryBlowing Rock, NCFlat Top Manor, a 1901 mansion on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 294, now a craft center with rocking chairs on the porch. Carriage roads circle Bass Lake and climb Flat Top Mountain; free.
- 82 km
Blowing Rock
NC - 911 km
Boone
NC
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Asheville → Mount Mitchell State Park · 24 mi · 0 h 26 minOn the way: Craggy Gardens.Overnight nearby, for example: Black Mountain Campground (3 mi); Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area (4 mi).
- Day 2: Mount Mitchell State Park → Linville Falls · 28 mi · 0 h 30 minOvernight nearby, for example: Big Mike's Creekside RV Resort (9 mi); Down by the River Campground (5 mi).
- Day 3: Linville Falls → Boone · 33 mi · 0 h 35 minOn the way: Grandfather Mountain, Linn Cove Viaduct, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, Blowing Rock.Overnight nearby, for example: KOA Kampground (3 mi); Waterwheel RV Park (2 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Blue Ridge Parkway tunnels (NC). Size limits for motorhomes and trailers (height 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)). Alternative: Leave the parkway for I-26 or US-19 around the tunnels.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Blue Ridge Parkway high peaks: Mount Mitchell to Blowing Rock?
3-day road trip of about 136 km (85 mi) with 9 stops, from Asheville to Boone. About 1 h 31 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Blue Ridge Parkway high peaks: Mount Mitchell to Blowing Rock?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 31 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Blue Ridge Parkway high peaks: Mount Mitchell to Blowing Rock start and end?
It starts in Asheville and ends in Boone.
Which states does Blue Ridge Parkway high peaks: Mount Mitchell to Blowing Rock pass through?
North Carolina.
Where can you camp along Blue Ridge Parkway high peaks: Mount Mitchell to Blowing Rock?
OpenStreetMap lists 88 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: French Broad River Campground, Mount Pisgah Campground - Milepost 408.6 and KOA Kampground.
When is the best time for Blue Ridge Parkway high peaks: Mount Mitchell to Blowing Rock?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
