Frequently Asked Questions / Find your answers here!
We spend lots of time with visitors, either face-to-face, at campground programs, on the telephone, or by email. Sometimes we already know what you want to ask and here are answers to some of those questions.
What flowers are blooming... and when and where can I see them?
From early March through the fall, some wildflowers are blooming on the Parkway. May is probably the best month overall. Click here for a pretty good list of varieties by month and by milepost.
How do I know if there is threatening weather along sections of the Parkway?
What can I do to help protect the Parkway?
Most of all, obey rules and regulations, and make your visit as "low impact" and responsible as possible. You may want to touch base with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, or the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, organizations that work full time helping the Parkway stay the way it is. They would love to hear from you!
How do I get the best photographs along the Parkway?
No photographs adequately capture what you see with your eye from the Parkway's many overlooks, but here are a few tips that may help you out. Early morning or late afternoon sun is much better than mid-day when colors appear to be "washed out." Keep the sun at your back and have someone in your family or group in the picture as a way to personalize your visit.
Why is the Blue Ridge "blue"?
According to "A Naturalist's Blue Ridge Parkway" by David Catlin, "it can be legitimately claimed that trees put the "blue" in Blue Ridge, for hydrocarbons released into the atmosphere by the forest contribute to the characteristic haze on these mountains and to their distinctive color." The entire Appalachian Chain is extraordinarily diverse and rich in its vegetation, so there is perhaps more "blue" to the Blue Ridge and more "smoky" to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Why can't I see long distances off of the Parkway like I used to years ago?
From the earliest descriptions of the Appalachian Mountains, observers have noted the blue color and haze that radiates off of these mountains because of the rich vegetation. Much of the haze we see today is also associated with pollution from a variety of sources in the eastern United States. Over three quarters of the pollutants come from coal-fired power sources. Air pollution does not respect the boundaries of national forests and national parks. Anyone can check the current air quality of a specific place in the country by logging on to www.epa.gov/airnow.
What is the difference between National Forests and National Parks?
The Parkway travels through four U.S. National Forests, the Jefferson and George Washington in Virginia, and the Pisgah and Nantahala in North Carolina. National Park areas under the Department of the Interior, have a primary responsibility to conserve all of the park resources for the enjoyment of visitors. National Forest areas under the Department of Agriculture, are multiple use areas where trees are planted and harvested and lots of recreational opportunities, including hunting, are allowed.
Where, exactly, is the Blue Ridge?
The Blue Ridge is part of the entire eastern Appalachian Mountains and is generally described as stretching from north Georgia into Pennsylvania. From Milepost 0 at Rockfish Gap, VA to Milepost 355 near Mount Mitchell State Park, NC, the Parkway lives up to its name by following the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains averaging about 3,000 feet in elevation, occasionally dipping down into the coves and hollows or crossing low-elevation water gaps. At Mount Mitchell, the Parkway veers westward through the Black Mountains, then into the Craggies before descending toward Asheville. From there, the road climbs to elevations over 6,000 feet in the Balsam Mountains before entering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee.
How can I see the best of fall colors during October?
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Is the Blue Ridge Parkway a national park?
The National Park Service administers a variety of kinds of areas. Some of these are "parks", some are called "seashores", some are called "monuments" or "historic sites", and some are called "parkways." We wear the same uniform and operate under basically the same rules as Yellowstone, Gettysburg, or Cape Hatteras. Our agency web site at http://www.nps.gov will give you the entire list!
What is the difference between the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway?
The Skyline Drive is the 105 mile scenic road through Shenandoah National Park. At Afton Mountain, Virginia, the Skyline Drive heads north and the Blue Ridge Parkway heads south. Look for Milepost 0 on the bridge over U.S. 250.
Why can't we pick flowers or gather firewood along the Parkway?
National park areas are set aside to preserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects for the enjoyment of all visitors. From the smallest flower to the trees that fall in the forest are part of the ecosystem of the region that we are charged with protecting. Thanks for doing your part!
Why aren't Beavers and their dams removed?
When European explorers first traveled through the Southern Appalachians, beavers inhabited virtually every stream and river. Their engineering efforts provided food, shelter and safe habitat for other species. When fur traders trapped the last beaver in the late nineteenth century, a vital component of the natural ecosystem of these mountains was eliminated. Beavers were re-introduced in the 1930s - 1950s and have increased the biological diversity in many Parkway areas. Management efforts by park staff are aimed at protecting the role of the beaver and maintaining the recreational opportunities for the visiting public.
Who built the Parkway?
The Parkway was an idea born out of the Great Depression and part of its purpose was to put as many people as possible to work. Private contractors, the state and federal highway departments, Italian and Spanish immigrant stonemasons, and thousands of Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees did the work.
When was the Parkway built and how long did it take to get the job done?
Groundbreaking took place in September 1935 and the work was contracted and completed in "sections." By World War II, about one-half of the road was completed and by the 1960s, all but one section was opened to the public. In 1987, the last section was completed around Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina, including the Linn Cove Viaduct at Milepost 304, an environmentally sensitive, award winning bridge.
Why aren't there any more signs showing what is available off of the Parkway?
Part of the beauty and enjoyment of the Parkway is limited access and no commercial signs or vehicles. Short drives off of the Parkway into any nearby community will allow you to experience the charm and delight of the region.
Will I have any problem getting my recreational vehicle through the Parkway tunnels?
There are twenty seven tunnels along the Parkway, one in Virginia and the others in North Carolina, mostly south of Asheville. Click here for a list of tunnel heights and distances.