Access to America’s #1 Most Visited National Park is under 15 minutes from Black Mountain, NC
Topping the list of the 424 national parks administered by the US National Park Service is the 469 miles long Blue Ridge Parkway National Park, just under 15 minutes from Black Mountain, NC. With 15,711,004 recreational visits in 2022.
Here are some interesting facts about the most visited national park in our nation from the official website of the Blue Ridge Parkway from the official website of the Blue Ridge Parkway, here are captivating details about our nation’s most frequented national park:
- This remarkable park stands as the longest contiguous road in the United States, carefully designed as a single unit.
- As an expansive park, it safeguards significant mountain landscapes that extend far beyond the road’s borders.
- It consists of a collection of parks that grant visitors access to lofty mountain passes, offering a continuous succession of breathtaking panoramas. The park’s limited right-of-way often blends seamlessly with miles of surrounding countryside, creating a unified and protected scene.
- Serving as a “museum of the managed American countryside,” it reverently preserves the rugged log cabins of mountain pioneers, the summer residences of textile magnates, and remnants of early industries such as logging, railways, and an ancient canal.
- This park is the culmination of a series of significant public works projects, which not only invigorated the travel and tourism sector but also assisted the Appalachian region in emerging from the depths of the Great Depression.
- Spanning nearly 500 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, traversing North Carolina and Virginia, it encompasses some of the oldest settlements from both prehistoric times and the early days of European colonization.
Curious as to where other parks like the Grand Canyon ranked? You can view all park rankings here.
Here are our favorite places along the Blue Ridge Parkway:
- Black Mountains Overlook — Milepost 342.2: The Black Mountains include six of the ten tallest mountains on the East Coast, including the tallest, Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet
- Craggy Gardens — Milepost 364.4: Breathtaking views await you here at elevation 5,640 feet. Craggy Gardens is home to a National Park Service visitor center, shop and restroom facilities.
- Mount Mitchell — Milepost 355.4: Explore the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River. You can drive nearly all the way to the summit. From the parking area it is just a half-mile hike to reach the observation deck and enjoy the long-range mountain views. Mount Mitchell also has a museum, gift shop, restaurant (open during spring to fall) and restrooms.
- Folk Art Center — Milepost 382: This popular stop on the Parkway offers you the opportunity to view and purchase some of the region’s best arts and crafts. The Folk Art Center hosts craft demonstrations and events throughout the year.
- Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center — Milepost 382: Pick up maps, learn about the entire 469 miles and history of the Parkway. Interactive exhibits and souvenirs also available.
View more here.
