[Illustration: Parkway emblem]
At the entrance to each of the recreational areas along the Parkway you
will find a large carved wooden sign bearing the Parkway emblem. This is
also the designation used on the maps herein to locate the recreational
areas now ready for use.
[Illustration: Elias Mabry Mill on the Parkway, Virginia.]
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
Shenandoah National Park--Roanoke, Virginia
North of the James River the Parkway winds through large sections of the
George Washington National Forest. This scenic route is very spectacular
where it crosses the high cliff sections of Humpback Mountain. Purple
rhododendron blooms here in early June. Through this region, too, are
glimpses of isolated mountain farm groups, as well as distant views to
the fertile "bread basket of the Confederacy" in the Shenandoah Valley
of Virginia.
The Parkway is paved from Rockfish Gap south for nearly 46 miles to U S
60. Three small bridges along this route are being constructed, but
traffic is maintained with little inconvenience to the traveler.
The Parkway section south of the James River to Roanoke features the
lowest point on Blue Ridge Parkway, 670 feet elevation, where it will
cross the river, and Thunder Ridge, where it climbs to almost 4,000
feet. South a few miles are the famed Peaks of Otter. This spectacular
section lies partly through the Jefferson National Forest.
The famous Appalachian Trail, making its way from Maine to Georgia,
touches the Parkway at several points. For detailed information, write
the Appalachian Trail Conference, 1916 Sunderland Place, NW., Washington
6, D. C.
Shenandoah National Park conserves a large section of the Virginia Blue
Ridge (74 miles southwest of Washington, D. C.). Well known for the
Skyline Drive, a road wholly within that park but connecting with the
Blue Ridge Parkway at Rockfish Gap, Shenandoah also has many miles of
developed foot trails and varied tourist accommodations. For complete
information, address Superintendent, Shenandoah National Park, Luray,
Va.
_Mile Post_ _Elevation_
0 Rockfish Gap-Junction Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline 1,909
Drive of Shenandoah National Park.
6 Humpback Rocks, craggy rock outcropping. Foot trail 3,210
from parking area to the Rocks.
15 Sherando Lake (George Washington National Forest). 1,500
Swimming, fishing, picnicking. Turn on VA-814 for 3½
miles.
27 Tye River Gap 2,969
45.6 U S 60 crossing. Parkway grade dead-ends 7 miles 2,312
south.
63.7 Junction U S 501 and Parkway section southward 670
74.7 Thunder Ridge Parking Area. One minute walk to superb 3,485
view of Arnolds Valley.
76.7 High point on the Parkway in Virginia. Apple Orchard 3,950
Mountain (El. 4,229). Forest Service fire tower.
80 Purple rhododendron blooms early June.
83.8 Wilkinson Gap. Foot trail to summit Flat Top Mountain 2,511
takes 1¾ hours. Trail down south side of mountain to
vicinity Big Spring on VA-43 (1 mile off Parkway)
takes 1 hour.
86 {Recreational area} Peaks of Otter. Sharp Top (El.
3,875). Flat Top (El. 4,001). Recreational area under
development. Sightseeing bus trips to top of Sharp
Top; sandwiches, soups, drinks, sold at bus station.
VA-43 to Bedford.
90 VA-43 to Buchanan. Parkway closed to south. ROANOKE 1,000
(Magic City). Western Virginia's largest city.
Population 100,000. Parkway headquarters.
[Illustration: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK TO ROANOKE, VA.
PKY-B. R. 7005-1]
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
Roanoke, Va.--North Carolina State Line
From Adney Gap (19 miles south of Roanoke by way of U S 221) the Parkway
is paved south to the State Line and beyond to Deep Gap near Boone and
Blowing Rock. This section of Parkway through lower Virginia is notable
for its pictures of mountain farming. The Blue Ridge here is a high
rolling plateau which breaks in a sharp escarpment toward the east and
the lower Piedmont. The Parkway generally follows the crest, which is
the water divide between Atlantic and Gulf drainage, affording
occasional fine views over the low country. In other places the Parkway
recedes into wooded and pastoral valleys of quiet charm.
_Mile Post_ _Elevation_
136 Adney Gap. Terminus 140 mile paved section to Deep 2,690
Gap, N. C.
144 Devil's Backbone Parking Overlook. Fine view over 2,685
farming region.
144.8 Pine Spur Parking Overlook. Named for the white pine 2,703
which is the tree depicted on Parkway emblem.
150 Magnificent flame azalea; blooms mid-May.
154.5 {Recreational area} Smart View, 500 acres, hiking 2,500
trails, large picnic grounds, comfort stations,
drinking water. The cabin home of T. T. Trail,
immediately adjacent entrance road, is picturesque.
Rim trail in this area is part of Appalachian Trail
system. Smart View is center of Parkway's dogwood
bloom in early May.
164 Fine azalea show. Also mountain-laurel in late May.
165.2 Tuggles Gap. VA-8, turn-off for Fairy Stone State 2,752
Park 16 miles. Swimming, boating, picnicking.
167 to {Recreational area} Rocky Knob, 4,000 acres. 3,225
170 Picnicking, camping, trailer sites, hiking, comfort
stations, drinking water, fishing 5 miles of Rock
Castle Creek. Foot trail from Saddle Parking Overlook
(Mile 168) to summit of Rocky Knob (El. 3,570) takes
10 minutes, continues along rim to Grassy Knoll (Mile
170). Fine for flame azalea late in May.
176.1 Mabry Mill, grist and sawmill, wheelwright and 2,855
blacksmith shops, illustrating typical mountain
"industrial plant," fascinating and ingenious.
Buildings will later be opened for inspection.
177.7 Meadows of Dan. U S 58 longest east-west road across 2,964
Virginia. Inquire locally about Lovers Leap and the
Pinnacles of Dan.
189.2 Groundhog Mountain Parking Overlook, high point 3,030
affording 360° view. Observation tower, simulating
old tobacco barn. Examples of various types of old
chestnut rail fences, such as snake, post and rail,
and buck.
189.9 Puckett Cabin, home of Arlena Hawks Puckett, storied 2,850
midwife of the local hills.
199.5 Fancy Gap. U S 52, where local products, such as 2,920
cabbage, are gathered to be trucked down the
mountains.
[Illustration: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
ROANOKE VA. TO N. C. STATE LINE
PKY-B. R. 7005-2]
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
Virginia State Line--Linville River
The northerly 60 miles shown finished on the map facing this page, like
the section north toward Roanoke, thread a country remarkable for its
mountain fields and pastures; but the country is more rugged, the Blue
Ridge becoming more defined and higher. It is completed as to
landscaping between the State Line and The Bluffs. A sandwich shop is
open at Cumberland Knob.
Sixty miles of Parkway are available southward from Linville. From Deep
Gap, near Boone, it is not far to Blowing Rock and Linville, resort
towns at the edge of Grandfather Mountain. This "patriarch," elevation
5,939 feet, is one of the oldest, shaggiest mountains of the
Appalachians. The road across Grandfather, U S 221, is known as the
Black Bear Trail (Yonahlossee in the language of the Cherokee).
_Mile Post_ _Elevation_
216.9 North Carolina-Virginia State Line 2,547
217.5 {Recreational area} Cumberland Knob, 1,000 acres, 2,740
sandwich shop (sandwiches, drinks, soups, picnic box
lunches), picnic area, comfort stations, drinking
water. 15-minute loop trail to Cumberland Knob (El.
2,855). Loop trail into Gully Creek Gorge, 2 hours.
218.6 Fox Hunters Paradise Overlook and Parking Area. 10 2,805
minutes by trail to the Paradise, where old-time
hunters listened to their hounds.
219 Fine display of pink azalea; blooms early May. Flame
azalea blooms mid-May.
228 Fine beds of pink azalea; blooms early May. This
section also fine for mountain-laurel in early June.
238 to {Recreational area} The Bluffs, 6,000 acres--picnic 3,710
245 grounds (Mile 241), campgrounds (Mile 239), trailer
sites, comfort stations, drinking water, 20 miles of
trail. This area affords fine examples of bluegrass
downs, terminating in precipitous bluffs. Purple
rhododendron in meadows and on trails late May. At
Mile 238.5 is the picturesque Carolyn Brinegar Cabin.
Be sure to visit Wildcat Rocks (Mile 241.1), from
which you may look down 1,500 feet upon what was once
the homestead of the Caudill family, dramatic exhibit
of isolated mountain life. 10-minute trail to
Fodderstack Mountain. Gas station and coffee shop
open.
271.9 Cascades Parking Overlook. Woodland trail along a 3,570
mountain stream to cascades tumbling several hundred
feet. Delightful 8-minute walk.
276.5 Deep Gap. Between Deep Gap and Beacon Heights there 3,140
are good connecting paved roads. The Parkway between
Mile Posts 282 and 292 will be paved during 1949.
304.9 Beacon Heights. Make inquiry at Linville or Blowing 3,140
Rock for entrance to Daniel Boone Boy Scout Trail
over the seven peaks of Grandfather Mountain for
which the larger part of a day must be allowed.
308.2 Flat Rock Parking Area. 10-minute trail to superb 3,995
prospect of Linville Valley and Grandfather Mountain.
Easy climb and most worth while.
316.4 Linville River Parking Area. Here is one of the 3,250
Parkway's largest stone arch bridges, three spans of
80 feet each. Fishing in Linville River under State
laws.
[Illustration: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
VA. STATE LINE TO LINVILLE RIVER
PKY-B. R. 7005-3]
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
Linville River--Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Parkway between Linville Falls and Asheville traverses one of the
great mountain sections of North Carolina where the Blue Ridge, the
Blacks, and the Craggy Mountains merge. Mount Mitchell, 6,684 feet in
elevation, and the highest peak in the East, is prominent from the
Parkway. The large holdings of the Mitchell Division of the Forest
Service and the Asheville Watershed have protected the area from
despoliation.
_Mile Post_ _Elevation_
320.7 Chestoa View offers an unusually fine view from one 4,110
of the many vertical cliffs on Humpback Mountain.
339.5 {Recreational area} Crabtree Meadows, 160 acres lying 3,735
within the Pisgah National Forest and now partially
developed. Hiking, picnicking, and comfort stations
available. The 40-minute walk to Crabtree Falls is
not to be missed.
355.4 Swannanoa Gap, Mount Mitchell State Park. 4.8 miles 5,185
on spur road. South to Mile Post 367.5 the Parkway is
under contract to be completed early in summer of
1949 when this spectacular section will be opened to
traffic. Make local inquiry. Paving of the Parkway
through the Craggy Mountains is scheduled for 1950,
and over the crushed stone surface special care in
driving should be exercised.
367.5 Bee Tree Gap, turn off for Craggy Rhododendron 4,769
Gardens. Forest Service development. The peak of the
rhododendron bloom is in mid-June. Make inquiries in
Asheville for highway connection to Parkway from the
city. ASHEVILLE, a leading city in the South.
Population, 50,000.
407 Mount Pisgah. The Forest Service Pisgah motor road,
Cutthroat Gap to Wagon Road Gap, is still open, and 5
miles of Parkway, graded with loose gravel, extend
beyond Wagon Road Gap and are available for a
"preview."
468 The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where the
Parkway will one day terminate, is located equally in
North Carolina and Tennessee. Its 460,000 acres of
mountainous wilds may be viewed from paved roads and
many wilderness trails. Tourist accommodations are in
nearby towns. Inquire Superintendent, Great Smoky
Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Tenn.
[Illustration: Parkway through Devils Garden, North Carolina.]
[Illustration: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
LINVILLE RIVER TO GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
PKY-B. R. 7005-4]
[Illustration: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA
PKY-B. R. 7005]
MILEAGE TABLE
MILEAGE VIA PARKWAY
SHENANDOAH ROANOKE VA. ASHEVILLE GREAT SMOKY
N.P. N.C. MTNS. N.P.
NEW YORK N.Y. 301 513 803 859
WASHINGTON D.C. 74 286 576 632
ATLANTA GA. 605 498 208 172
COLUMBIA S.C. 397 290 162 218
BIRMINGHAM ALA. 761 654 364 309
NASHVILLE TENN. 717 610 320 233
LOUISVILLE KY. 497 470 348 331
INDIANAPOLIS IND. 524 497 483 447
PITTSBURGH PA. 208 317 607 663
HARRISBURG PA. 135 347 637 693
COLUMBUS OHIO 416 389 467 465
Revised 1949
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1949 D-F--827633
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
North Caroline--Tennessee