Blue Ridge Parkway Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Blue Ridge Parkway. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls Hiking Tour from Asheville

• Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway Hiking Tour with Expert Naturalist

• Waterfall Jeep Tour–Backroads and Scenic Views

• Scenic Driving Tour of the Blue Ridge Mountains

• Privately Guided Full-Day Hike

It is free to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which spans 469 miles (755 kilometers) from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Day trips from Asheville offer the chance to visit areas along the parkway for guided hikes, Jeep tours to its most scenic viewpoints, or excursions to see its waterfalls: Group hiking tours start around US$100, private guided hikes cost around US$220, and Jeep tours begin around US$80.

Yes, the Blue Ridge Parkway is worth visiting—one of the country's premier scenic drives, it offers endless opportunities for hiking, scenic overlooks, and checking out views of waterfalls and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's also a popular spot for fall foliage. To skip the driving and navigation, consider joining a guided tour to hike and learn about the area from an experienced guide. 

Per one customer who booked the Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls Hiking Tour from Asheville, "This tour was AMAZING! Tony was prompt, friendly, knowledgeable and professional. His van was super clean, and we felt very comfortable going through the mountains, which can be a little scary if you're not used to it. The snacks and beverages he provided also came in handy as we didn't get to eat breakfast at the hotel before leaving. The sites were simply breathtaking. I highly recommend this tour!"

The best time of year to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway is during the leaf-peeping season in the fall. The leaves typically begin to change color in early October and peak in a beautiful display of yellows, reds, and oranges mid to late month, depending on the elevation.

The best place to start the Blue Ridge Parkway depends on which access point is closest to you. The route runs some 470 miles (760 kilometers) from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, and there are convenient starting points near Charlottesville, Roanoke, and Asheville.

How long you need at the Blue Ridge Parkway really depends—to drive most (or all) of the roadway from Virginia to North Carolina, you need about 2–3 days, but you can see sections near larger towns, such as Asheville and Charlottesville, in just 2–4 hours.

No, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic motorway—officially a National Parkway and All-American Road—and is meant for driving. But it’s also followed by a network of loosely connected trails through Forest Service and private land from Virginia to North Carolina. There are also many trailheads along the parkway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic places in the US. While it's difficult to say which is the most photographed area, Mabry Mill, the Craggy Gardens, and Grandfather Mountain (one of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains) are among the most photographed by travelers.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Asheville, North Carolina:

• Biltmore Estate

• River Arts District

• North Carolina Arboretum

• Grove Arcade

• Asheville Pinball Museum

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in and around Asheville.