Where does the Blue Ridge Parkway South Driving Tour go?

This tour has 24 stops. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops and if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, here’s what you need to know before you go!

What should I pack for the Blue Ridge Parkway South Driving Tour?

Phone charger - very important Phone mountSneakersHiking clothes. Layer up.Hiking shoesJacketHat/sunglassesLawn chairs, for soaking in that perfect viewSunscreenBug sprayCanteen/ refillable water bottleSnacksCredit cardSwimsuits for Sliding Rock

What should I budget for the Blue Ridge Parkway South Driving Tour?

It’s free to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. But, there are some attractions on the tour that require entrance and parking fees: The Cradle of Forestry in America is $6 adults, $3 children, and free for 3 and under. Sliding Rock is $5 per person. The North Carolina Arboretum does not have individual admission, but a $20 parking fee.

What are the hours of operation for the stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway South Driving Tour?

The parkway is open 24-hours. Many of the stops and visitor centers have varying hours of operation. For a list of visitor centers on the parkway and their respective opening and closing times, please visit the NPS website Here are a list of attractions on the tour and their hours of operation: The Cradle of Forestry in America is open daily 10am-5pm from spring to fall. Sliding Rock is open 10am-6pm on the days facilities are open, which is daily Memorial Day thru Labor Day, and on weekends in May and September. The North Carolina Arboretum is open daily from 8am-9pm from April to October, and 8am-7pm daily from November to March. The Waterrock Knob Visitor Center is open daily from 10am-5pm from mid-April to November.The Pisgah Inn and Restaurant is open daily from April to October serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Can I join the Blue Ridge Parkway South Driving Tour en route?

Yes! Feel free to join the tour along the route. Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting from. If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.

Can I take the Blue Ridge Parkway South Driving Tour in the opposite direction?

Yes, this tour can be done both south to north and north to south. The south to north route begins at the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Cherokee, NC, and the north to south route begins on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, just off US-25 near the Biltmore.

Can I combine the Blue Ridge Parkway South Driving Tour with any other Shaka Guide tours?

Yes, you can combine this tour with the Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Tour. If you take this route from South to North, you can pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville tour in Asheville, NC and take that tour from South to North too.

Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour

North Carolina

4.9

63639 ratings

Preview Tour Audio

$12.99

Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour

(63639)

North Carolina

4.9

63639 ratings

Trusted by 1,000+ Shaka Guiders

24 Must-See Stops

3+ hours of Audio

2 Starting Points

Counterclockwise Route

Half-Day Driving Tour

About The Tour

***MULTIPLE ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAILS IMPACTED BY HURRICANE HELENE.***

Explore the southernmost and highest section of the Blue Ridge Parkway on this stunning road trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visit waterfalls, hike to the top of mountains for panoramic views, or just enjoy the scenery from the beautiful overlooks. This tour takes you to some of the best spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway and shares the stories and myths of its people.

Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!

• Ascend to Mt. Pisgah's summit for panoramic Blue Ridge vistas, where hikers are rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the surrounding landscapes.
• Explore the unusual meadows and waterfalls of Graveyard Fields, a unique landscape with a history as intriguing as its name.
• Marvel at the elegance of Looking Glass Falls, a stunning waterfall cascading into a pristine pool below.
• Experience the beauty of Black Balsam Knob's high-altitude meadows, where a moderate hike leads to breathtaking vistas of the surrounding peaks.
• Discover the twin cascades of Soco Falls, nestled in a lush forest setting, providing a tranquil and picturesque stop along the Parkway.

Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour Map

Explore Tour Map

Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour Stops

Things to do on the Tour Include:

Graveyard Fields

Bunches Bald Overlook

Soco Falls

Thunder Struck Ridge Overlook

Waterrock Knob

Standing Rock Overlook

Lone Bald Overlook

Richard Balsam Overlook

View All Stops

Meet the Creators

Megan Selke

Narrator

Favorite Quote:

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." - William James

Preview Tour Audio

Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour FAQs

Information

Hurricane Helene Impact

Road Closures

Weather Alerts

Digital Marketing SpecialistConditions can change fast. Please check these links for closures, alerts and local conditions before your trip. Stay informed so you can ensure a smooth ride for your trip.

Important Update!

Hello Shaka Guiders!
It’s been over a year since Hurricane Helene impacted the Blue Ridge Parkway South and Asheville tours (don’t worry—the Virginia tour is unaffected!), and we’ve been receiving a lot of questions about current conditions.
Unfortunately, many roads in the affected areas are still closed, and from what we can tell, full recovery will take many more months—possibly even years. We strongly recommend checking the links we’ve provided for the latest updates so you can plan the best route for your adventure.
That said, don’t let this discourage you from exploring the region. The towns surrounding the Parkway are still full of charm, character, and incredible things to see and do. And now more than ever, they could use your support. Local businesses that depend on Parkway travelers are feeling the impact of reduced traffic.
Even if you can’t drive every mile of the Parkway, you can still have an amazing trip. Enjoy Asheville’s artsy vibe and mountain views, take in the beauty of Little Switzerland, and don’t miss a visit to one of our favorite stops—the North Carolina Arboretum.
We’ll continue to update this notice as the area recovers.
-Matt (Blue Ridge tour writer).

Purchase Options

This Tour Only

1. Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour

$ 12.99

Bundle & Save (38% Off)

2. Blue Ridge Parkway Bundle (3 tours)

1. Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour

$ 12.99
2. Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Tour

$ 12.99
3. Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Tour

$ 12.99

$ 23.99 $38.97

Bundle & Save (60% Off)

3. Appalachia Bundle (6 tours)

1. Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour

$ 12.99
2. Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Tour

$ 12.99
3. Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Tour

$ 12.99
4. Shenandoah National Park Tour

$ 15.99
5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour

$ 15.99
6. New River Gorge National Park Tour

$ 15.99

$ 34.99 $86.94

Reviews

4.9 63639 Ratings

Sandy Borgerding
27 Jun 2024

I did the Blue Ridge Parkway South tour. It was fantastic. I loved the stories and the writing and the music.

Teamhesselberth
14 Nov 2023

This was the perfect way to experience the Road to Hana. GPS is very accurate and does great with stops and resuming wherever you start back up. As a bonus I live in Virginia and am excited to try the tours on Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah.

View All Reviews

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Purchase Options

This Tour Only

1. Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour

$ 12.99

Bundle & Save (38% Off)

2. Blue Ridge Parkway Bundle (3 tours)

$ 23.99 $38.97

1. Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour

$ 12.99
2. Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Tour

$ 12.99
3. Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Tour

$ 12.99

Bundle & Save (60% Off)

3. Appalachia Bundle (6 tours)

$ 34.99 $86.94

1. Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour

$ 12.99
2. Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Tour

$ 12.99
3. Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Tour

$ 12.99
4. Shenandoah National Park Tour

$ 15.99
5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour

$ 15.99
6. New River Gorge National Park Tour

$ 15.99

Shaka Promises

Tours Crafted by
Real People

Reliable Customer
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Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour

$12.99

4.9 (63639)

Blue Ridge Parkway Bundle

$23.99

~~$38.97~~ 38% off

Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour
Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Tour
Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Tour

Appalachia Bundle

$34.99

~~$86.94~~ 60% off

Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour
Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Tour
Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Tour
Shenandoah National Park Tour
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour
New River Gorge National Park Tour

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At Shaka Guide our goal is to connect people, with places, through stories. Our team creates immersive, self-guided audio tours that connect travelers with the history and culture of over 85 destinations across the country.

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Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour

Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour

About The Tour

Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour Map

Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour Stops

Meet the Creators

Megan Selke

Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour FAQs

Purchase Options

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Reviews

Tours Near Blue Ridge Parkway South Tour

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Gift A Tour!

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