Second Falls, Graveyard Fields - as seen from the BRP on 10-1-06

4/15/08 - If you are planning a trip to western North Carolina that includes travel on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the 1st thing you should probably do is call 828-298-0398 for current road closures. A lot of the Parkway closes during the winter and parts may be closed for repair in warmer weather. There are quite a few closures scheduled for 2008, so call! For updated detailed weather reports for different sections of the NC mountains plus other mountain goodies, do yourself a favor and visit Ray's Weather Center.

If you've never been on the Parkway, here are a few tips. The maximum speed limit is 45 mph and some places are 35 mph. Commercial vehicles are not allowed, but RVs are and they can be very slow. There are stretches of the Parkway with passing zones, but don't speed! I've heard it's a hefty fine because it's federal property. Be patient and hope a slow driver will pull off at an overlook or anywhere to let others by. Points of interest are listed by mile post (MP). These are small white markers every mile - the northern end of the BRP in NC begins around mile post 218 and it ends about mile post 470 in Cherokee. For more detailed info on things to see along the Parkway, you can visit the official National Park Service web site. Click on 'Directions' then 'Maps' for a detailed map showing mile posts and major roads. Or the Blue Ridge Parkway Association's website for more info. Also remember that a lot of the Parkway is closed in the winter. Please click on the links below for info and photos of some of the falls along the Parkway:

Cascade Falls is at mile post 272 - I've also included a couple of shots at The Lump which at MP 264.4.

Right around MP 292 is the Hwy 321 exit for Blowing Rock, NC. It's only a couple of miles to the parking area for Glen Burney and Glen Marie Falls.

At MP 305.2 is Beacon Heights. There's no waterfall here, but you get a great view of Grandfather Mountain -

Just past MP 311 (heading south) is SR1518, Old Jonas Ridge Rd. This is one way to get to some of the waterfalls in the Wilson Creek area. You can read more about these falls in this section of my site - Wilson Creek area waterfalls

The Linville Falls access is at MP 316.4. These falls attract a lot of people during tourist season, but they are worth seeing, especially if you take the trail to the river.

Duggers Creek Falls - accessed from the Linville Falls main parking area

I visited Crabtree Falls for the 1st time in October '01and have been back several times since. What a beautiful falls! The trail to the falls is at Crabtree Meadows at MP 339.5.

Setrock Creek and Roaring Fork Falls are in the area of MP 345. There are 2 ways to get here depending on which way you are coming from.

A nice waterfall on Whiteoak Creek is in the area of Setrock Creek and Roaring Fork Falls

Grassy Creek Falls is just off the Parkway at the Little Switzerland exit around MP 335.

Glassmine Falls is listed at MP 361.2. I've stopped at the overlook several times, but it's been nothing more than a view across a valley to a trickle coming down a rock face. Some day I might catch it after heavy rains and have a picture worth posting.

Around MP 365 is the Craggy Gardens area. There are roads off the Parkway into the Pisgah Forest that go to Walker, Douglas and some unnamed falls.

Skinny Dip Falls is at MP 417. Park at the overlook for Looking Glass Rock.

Graveyard Fields, at MP 418.8, is home to 3 waterfalls - Second, Yellowstone, and Upper Falls. This is a very popular place, so be prepared for crowds during tourist season.

Bearpen Gap - in between MP 427 and 428 - these cascades aren't listed in any books or on any maps, but this is a nice area to spend a few hours in if you're up this way and looking for something new