Highest Peaks of the Blue Ridge Parkway by Car - Mountains of North Carolina

May 2013

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Blue Ridge Parkway > Climb the Highest Peaks by Car

Blue Ridge Parkway

Climb The Highest Peaks by Car

Don’t miss climbing two great mountains by car—Grandfather Mountain (5,946 feet) and Mount Mitchell, the East’s highest (6,684 feet).

Grandfather Mountain lies one mile off the Parkway at Milepost 305.1. A brand new summit visitor center debuted in spring 2010 providing elevator/handicapped access to the Mile-High Swinging Bridge for the first time. Great trails lead from there across the mountain’s high peaks (now a new North Carolina State Park). Half way to the summit, the mountain’s widely respected nature museum offers a wealth of high quality natural history exhibits, and theater with films and other programs, a gift shop and restaurant. Nearby is a collection of wonderful environmental habitats for bears, eagles, deer, cougars, and otters. There’s also a picnic area, overlooks, and trails. The non-profit travel attraction is known for its green policies and great views.

At Milepost 355, it’s just 5 miles from the Parkway to Mount Mitchell State Park. A ramp-style, handicapped accessible stone view tower that lifts visitors to great views opened in 2008. There’s also a museum, the highest tent campground in the East, a snack bar, and a large restaurant/gift shop that’s akin to the bigger Parkway dining facilities found at Peaks of Otter and Mount Pisgah.

Mount Mitchell is one of a dozen summits that soar north from the main Blue Ridge chain to comprise the massive range of the Black Mountains. These peaks dominate horizons in northwestern North Carolina—it’s particularly dramatic from the Mount Mitchell Parking Overlook, 4,825 feet, just north of the mountain (Milepost 349.9).

Ready to ramble? The Balsam Nature Trail is an easy summit stroll that passes the highest spring in Eastern America. For a majestic hike away from the summit development, take the Black Mountain Crest Trail from the picnic shelters at the first bend of the parking lot and hike the rugged 2-mile roundtrip to nearby Mount Craig, 6,645 feet. The high mountain atmosphere is inspiring. Backpack camping is permitted.

Explore More

Basics of the Parkway

Camping on the Parkway

Fishing on the Parkway

Hiking on the Parkway

Linn Cove Viaduct

Just for Kids

Nature on the Parkway

Picnic on the Parkway

Visitor Centers and Cabins

Dive into our Interactive Map!

Zoom in close on the map below (use the plus sign and directional arrows at upper left, or repeatedly double click near, but not on, the map symbols). You can literally see the parking lots for Parkway destinations in this guide. Click any map symbol and information packed balloons pop up to describe locations all along the route. In the map balloons, click "Directions" to add your address and get step-by-step directions to Parkway locations from wherever you are. Start in the north, follow the road south, for a local's introduction to your own Boone-area Parkway adventure.

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