Where to stay along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Few roads have an aura like the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lined by road trip attractions, it twists and turns its way through Virginia’s and North Carolina’s colorful Blue Ridge Mountains. We’re talking million-dollar views. Fortunately, in most cases, the best places to stay along the Blue Ridge Parkway only look expensive.

Disclosure: All listings are independently selected. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more ›

Best location along the Blue Ridge Parkway

No location allows you to effortlessly day trip both up to the top and down to the bottom of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Think about it: This bucket-list road snakes for 469 miles (750 km), with typically a speed limit of 45 miles (72 km) per hour.

So, where you should stay depends on your preferences and plans.

If you plan on driving the entire route, you need multiple overnighters to make the most of the occasion. Driving from Waynesboro, in the north, to Cherokee, in the south, takes around 13 hours under normal conditions.

If you join the fun somewhere down the road, you might only need one place to stay.

To let you focus on the driving, we have put together our favorite Blue Ridge Parkway towns and hotels, in handy north-south order. Ready to find the perfect place(s) for your drive?

Waynesboro, VA (Milepost 0)

The northern entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway is positioned in the sleepy community of Afton. But Afton is such a tiny place that you need to be flexible when looking for your first Blue Ridge Parkway hotel.

Luckily, the well-equipped neighbor Waynesboro gladly steps in. Just 4 miles (6 km) from the parkway entrance, Waynesboro offers appreciated hotels and amenities, including stores and restaurants.

As the parkway is situated away from bigger cities and travel hubs, most travelers begin their journeys far from its actual start. To begin the drive refreshed, a night in Waynesboro is easily motivated.

You don’t want to be tiered when entering the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s just too special of a drive for that.

Pick Waynesboro for: The northern end.

Best hotels in Waynesboro

Best Western Plus

Spacious and comfortable are the two words that best describe Best Western Plus in Waynesboro. While it’s not the most unique place to stay along the Blue Ridge Parkway, it certainly provides the good night’s sleep you need ahead of your first miles down the parkway.

Roanoke, VA (Milepost 120)

Roanoke is another Virginia option for where to stay along the Blue Ridge Parkway. At Milepost 120, the town nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains is a superb base before the journey continues further south.

If you drive the Blue Ridge Parkway from start to end, some rest is well deserved after the first 120 miles (193 km). But even if you aren’t, Roanoke is a mountain city with a lot on its plate.

The Roanoke Star, or the Mill Mountain Star, is the Virginia equivalent to California’s Hollywood Sign. Up on Mill Mountain, the star dutifully guards its surroundings.

You can drive, bike or even hike all the way up to enjoy a close view. It’s a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) out-and-back hike from the Mill Mountain Star Trailhead.

For more extensive hiking, the Appalachian Trail, which runs for nearly 2,000 miles (3,219 km) from Maine to Georgia, calls your name.

There are several access points for the Appalachian Trail around Roanoke. Among them, the McAfee Knob Trailhead on Catawba Mountain stands out for its jaw-dropping vistas.

From the McAfee Knob Trailhead, it’s an 8-mile (13 km) round trip to the McAfee Knob, a unique rock overhang perch that’s one of the most photographed spots along the entire Appalachian Trail.

But Roanoke is not only about outdoor activities. It’s also a cozy town with all the restaurants and accommodation options you need to kick back before getting back to America’s favorite drive.

Pick Roanoke for: Milepost 120.

Best hotels in Roanoke

Hotel Roanoke

Hotel Roanoke, in the city’s heart and first opened in the 1800s, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As soon as you enter its lobby, full of historic touches, it strikes you what a unique hotel you have found. This is a place where history and luxury intersect.

Black Lantern Inn

The Blue Ridge Parkway is closely associated with cute bed and breakfasts, and the Black Lantern Inn is one of the very best. Step into a small home-away-from-home oasis where the level of detail is second to none and the delicious breakfast makes you return for more.

Holiday Inn Express

If you’re after a you-know-what-you-get kind of place, the Holiday Inn Express in Roanoke is a top choice. Enjoy modern rooms with downtown Roanoke just 1 mile (1.6 km) down the road.

Blowing Rock, NC (Milepost 292)

The North Carolina section is the most elevated part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. In the small town of Blowing Rock, at 3,566 feet (1,087 m), you can really feel that.

Just outside Blowing Rock, the rock formation behind its name is located. The actual Blowing Rock is, in fact, one of the oldest travel attractions in North Carolina.

This cliff reaches out above John’s River Gorge. From the overlook, it’s 3,000 awe-inspiring feet (914 m) down to the distant river below — make sure to bring your camera.

Another local sight is Moses Cone’s Flat Top Manor. Once home to textile mogul Moses Cone, the manor, nowadays belonging to the National Park Service, is a place for history buffs.

But the Moses Cone property also invites you to some casual hiking. On the historic estate, there are 25 miles (40 km) of trails to check out.

Pick Blowing Rock for: Milepost 292.

Best hotels in Blowing Rock

The Manor

Spread out in a large suite on Main Street within easy reach of town attractions. These contemporary suites brim with sophistication, including spa-quality bathrooms.

Mountainaire Inn

Looking for something rustic that fits the mountain setting? If so, Mountainaire Inn demands your attention. This is low-key yet welcoming lodging only steps from shops and eateries.

Asheville, NC (Milepost 383)

An established mountain hub, Asheville not only sits conveniently, at Milepost 383, for the final stretch down the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s also a beloved destination on its own.

Downtown Asheville brims with charisma. Savor everything from diverse shops and boutiques to celebrated eateries and bars.

A short ride away, you’ll find the Biltmore Estate. Once built by George Vanderbilt II, it’s America’s largest privately owned home — prepare for a truly grand sight.

Outside Asheville, a contrasting natural attraction is Chimney Rock State Park. At the top of Chimney Rock, absorb views having been featured in the movie Last of the Mohicans.

With both a vibrating downtown area and surrounding attractions, Asheville is a town where a few days pass in no time. So if you want to spend one or two extra nights somewhere along the parkway, we highly suggest Asheville.

Pick Asheville for: Milepost 383.

Best hotels in Asheville

Kimpton

For the ultimate access to downtown Asheville, don’t look past Kimpton. It’s ringed with restaurants, bars and shops — and has a stunning view.

Hampton Inn Biltmore

Prefer to stay near the huge Biltmore Estate? From this modern property, it’s just a mile (1.6 km) to the entrance of the Biltmore Estate.

Cabins of Willow Winds

Spend a night, or three, next to the parkway. Although these convenient cabins make you feel you’re in the middle of a forest, Asheville’s attractions appeal only a 6-mile (10 km) drive away.

Cherokee, NC (Milepost 469)

Well done, you made it all the way down to Milepost 469 and the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here, you’ll find the town of Cherokee, uniquely sandwiched between two big attractions.

Even though the Blue Ridge Parkway adventure may be over, the scenery continues past Cherokee. This is where the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park meet.

So, consider making a memorable extension to America’s favorite drive.

Fun things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains include climbing Clingmans Dome, Tennessee’s highest point, and viewing black bears. In particular, Cades Cove is a hotspot for wildlife spotting.

Cherokee offers superb access to the southern, off-the-beaten-path part of the Smokies, home to Fontana Lake and Tom Branch Falls. For conventional northern exploration, bed down across the wilderness in the fun-filled town of Gatlinburg instead.

Pick Cherokee for: Milepost 469.

Best hotels in Cherokee

Great Smokies Inn

Capitalize on a spectacular location: The Great Smokies Inn marks the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and is the final outpost before the wilderness of Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes over.

Rivers Edge Motel

Low-key but unique, Rivers Edge Motel lets you wake up to the sound of the rippling Oconaluftee River.

Sights along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Now you know everything there’s to know about where to stay along the Blue Ridge Parkway. But what are the best sights? Here are some of the highlights on a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip.

Milepost 0: Entrance at Afton

The entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway is where it all begins. If you had a long trip to get here, consider a night in Waynesboro before you get going.

Milepost 62: Natural Bridge

In Natural Bridge State Park, the 215-foot (66 m) tall Natural Bridge is exactly what it sounds like: A rock forming a natural bridge.

Milepost 120: Roanoke

Roanoke charms you with a historic downtown area and natural sights just up the hill. The shining Roanoke Star and renowned Appalachian Trail are top attractions.

Milepost 176: Mabry Mill

The beautifully restored Mabry Mill has become a Blue Ridge Parkway institution. When you stop, be sure to try the tasty pancakes.

Milepost 292: Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock may be a tiny town, but it’s a much-appreciated stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Explore the namesake Blowing Rock and Flat Top Manor.

Milepost 304: Linn Cove Viaduct

Linn Cove Viaduct is an S-shaped Blue Ridge Parkway bridge. To make the most of this stop, admire the eye-popping views from the nearby trails.

Milepost 316: Linville Gorge & Falls

Linville Falls, in Linville Gorge, is the most famous waterfall along the Blue Ridge Parkway. As the waterfall culminates, it crashes down 45 feet (14 m) to the pool below.

Milepost 355: Mount Mitchell

Want to check out the tallest Blue Ridge Parkway spot there is? At 6,684 feet (2,037 m), Mount Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi River.

Milepost 383: Asheville

Downtown Asheville alone makes a great stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Biltmore Estate and Chimney Rock are other remarkable local attractions.

Milepost 420: Black Balsam

The Black Balsam Knob offers some of the best vistas along the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. From the Art Loeb Trailhead, it’s just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) up to the totally unobstructed summit.

Milepost 469: Cherokee

Cherokee marks the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. But as Cherokee is home to Oconaluftee Indian Village and functions as a gateway to the Smokies, you can easily extend the adventure.

You might wonder…

Keep planning your Blue Ridge Parkway trip

• See our Blue Ridge Parkway essentials
• Decide where to stay in the Smokies
• Browse the many activities in the Smokies