Tour Stops

North Carolina Arboretum

This elegant arboretum is a massive 400-acre park with cultivated gardens, a cool Bonsai tree display, and some hiking trails through forest and mountains. There’s...

Bad Fork Valley Overlook

Heading south from Asheville, this is the first overlook after you’ve driven up into the mountains and gained some more elevation. But, there are plenty...

Mills River Valley Overlook

Most overlooks along the Parkway offer a view pointed in one direction. But here, up on a ridgeline, you can get a lovely view in...

Mt. Pisgah Trail

Mt. Pisgah is easily visible from the Asheville area, and now you have the opportunity to hike to the top. It’s about a 4.5 mile,...

Pisgah Inn

A touch of civilization before heading further into the woods. Grab a meal at the restaurant, or some grab and go food and snacks at...

Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower

This hike is a little different, following an old gravel road instead of a trail. It’s a moderate hike uphill, but it ends at an...

Cradle of Forestry Overlook

This overlook stands above the site of an old forestry school owned by the Vanderbilts. Today, the grove of trees is still going strong.

Cradle of Forestry Museum

Learn about the birth of forestry education at this tidy little museum. The interactive exhibits are a nice change of pace for kids in tow,...

Sliding Rock

This gently-graded waterfall doubles as a natural waterslide! Don your swimsuits, then wait in line to slide down into the chilly pool below. A lifeguard...

Looking Glass Falls

This 60-foot, or 18-meter waterfall, is one of the most popular in North Carolina because you can see it from the road! There’s no need...

Coon Tree Picnic Area

Flush toilets and picnic tables are the highlight here, and it’s also a handy spot to turn around and park for Looking Glass Falls.

Skinny Dip Falls Trailhead/Looking Glass Rock Overlook

The trail to Skinny Dip Falls is about a mile round trip and is easy to moderate. It’s not the most impressive waterfall on the...

Graveyard Fields

Graveyard Fields got its spooky name, and look, from a series of natural disasters. But it’s also one of the most popular hiking spots on...

Black Balsam Knob

Just off the Parkway, this trail is about one and a half miles round-trip. The moderately-difficult hike takes you to a 360-degree panorama of the...

Devil's Courthouse

You can enjoy this impressive cliff from the overlook, or you can hike to the top. A path heads up through the woods and comes...

Cowee Mountain Overlook

Our vote for the best overlook on the tour! There’s nothing blocking your view as you gaze at miles upon miles of the Blue Ridge...

Richard Balsam Trail/Haywood Jackson Overlook

The view from the overlook is just okay, but the main attraction here is the Richard Balsam Trail, a moderately-difficult one and a half-mile loop...

Richard Balsam Overlook

The view from this overlook is mostly concealed by trees, but it’s the highest point on the entire Parkway at 6053 feet, or over 1800...

Lone Bald Overlook

There are a series of excellent overlooks in a row on this stretch of the Parkway. We like this one because of the nice layered...

Standing Rock Overlook

Near the entrance to this overlook is a large, standalone boulder that’s a popular photo opp.

Waterrock Knob

The view from this large overlook is one of the best on the entire Parkway, from over 6,000 feet up. There are plenty of picnic...

Thunder Struck Ridge Overlook

This is another splendid overlook of the layered mountains and valleys beyond.

Soco Falls

Just about a mile off the Parkway, Soco Falls is a double waterfall, with two cascades meeting together at a pool. The waterfall is actually...

Bunches Bald Overlook

A lower elevation overlook, compared to the heights up near Waterrock Knob, but still lovely and possibly a terrific spot for fall colors. After you complete...

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