Mabry Mill

Mabry Mill stands at milepost 176 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, about 3 miles (5 km) from Meadows of Dan. Ed Mabry and his wife Lizzie built the water-powered mill in the early 20th century; for three decades they ground corn, sawed lumber and ran a blacksmith shop here. After Ed's death in 1938, the National Park Service took over the property and restored it by 1942. The mill is one of the most photographed places on the Parkway.

A half-mile (800 m) loop trail passes the historic buildings and Matthews Cabin, which was moved here. On summer and early-fall weekends there are craft demonstrations, and often live music on Sunday afternoons. The restaurant and gift shop next door are open from May through October (as of October 2026) and serve pancakes in the morning, including buckwheat and cornmeal varieties. A large parking lot sits in front of the restaurant, with an overflow lot across the road. Weekdays are quieter than weekends; the mill is especially lovely during the rhododendron bloom in late spring and in fall foliage.