The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the scenic peaks and valleys of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee counties. Riding for 469 miles, the parkway glides from Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and features some of the most breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Originally being deemed a National Driveway in 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the parkway underwent 52 astounding years of construction before it was finally opened in 1987. Construction of the parkway was part of Roosevelt’s New Deal program, which was geared towards creating jobs in America after the rough economic impact of the Great Depression.
The Parkway holds the title for the country’s longest linear park, featuring a slow-paced and relaxing drive that reveals stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway provides a double meaning, protecting a diversity of plants and animals while providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special.
In the fall months, the sea of fiery oranges and yellows envelops the drive in a once-in-a-lifetime view. The experience of the drive itself can vary throughout the seasons, spring and summer providing a rich and lush landscape full of fresh vegetation. In the winter, the snow-dusted pines stand tall against the vast crisp landscape of the Appalachian Highlands.
Yet, the drive through the parkway during autumn is by far the most exhilarating drive in Appalachia. The experience is immersive, and with nothing but vegetation and the cabin of your own vehicle to surround you, the rich colors of the trees bleed into each other to create a palate of fiery beauty.
On a clear fall day, the contrast of blue skies against the bright reds and yellows creates a scene that places the Blue Ridge Parkway at one of the most sought-after destinations in Appalachia.
The entrance closest to ETSU is located in Watauga County, North Carolina. Though this drive is an hour and 33 minutes from the heart of campus, the destination is breathtaking. This trip will call for a lot of driving, so make sure your vehicle is well-equipped and fueled up before starting your journey.
From entrance to entrance, the drive through the Appalachian Highlands lasts three hours, so keep this in consideration when planning a trip upon the parkway.
The raw nature of the park protects significant mountain landscapes far beyond the shoulders of the road itself, giving insight to original fauna and flora native to the Appalachian area and making for a beautiful drive along the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
For more information on the Parkway, or to plan your drive in accordance to road closures or drive with designated hiking groups, please visit the Blue Ridge Parkway website at blueridgeparkway.org.
