Welcome to the Blue Ridge Parkway Blog

The Blue Ridge Parkway at Grandfather MountainThe Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs through the famous Blue Ridge, a mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains. It is the longest, narrowest National Park in the world and is the most visited unit in the US National Park System. This online community is a creation of Virtual Blue Ridge in association with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

Our goal is to provide a community for the collective Parkway Voice to be heard and responded to. We encourage free thought among our visitors. However, obscenities and personal attacks will be censored and moderated.

Note: The views contained within this community are those of the contributors. The principals and board members of Virtual Blue Ridge and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation may or may not share those same views.

For more information on the operation of this community, please read our code of conduct.

Recent Blue Ridge Parkway Community Activities

Photograph With An Amazing Story

The photograph below was taken by Percilla Sue Counts of Boone, N.C., formerly of the SandLick community in Dickenson County, VA. It was one of 46 images selected for the 10th annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition Exhibition. The final 46 photographs were selected from more than 1,000 submissions. The exhibition Finish Reading »

AMPC Opening Reception March 1

The Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition (AMPC) opening reception will take place Friday, March, 1 at 7 p.m. in the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at Appalachian State University. The opening will feature images from the 10th annual competition’s 46 finalists, as well as a chance for visitors to cast their Finish Reading »

Blue Ridge Parkway Announces Contract Award at the Folk Art Center

Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Phil. Francis announced today that the Southern Highland Craft Guild has been awarded a concession contract for retail sales at the Folk Art Center in Asheville, NC. This concessions contract will be issued for a term of 10 years. The contract requires sales of Appalachian made Finish Reading »

10th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition Finalists Announced

This year’s panel of esteemed jurors has completed preliminary judging and has chosen 46 images for exhibition from almost 900 submissions. A complete list of finalists can be seen below. Final judging to select this year’s Best In Show and individual category winners will take place prior to the public reception Finish Reading »

30% Off Villa Suites at Banner Elk Winery

The High Country Mountains have become famous for and synonymous with growing perfect Christmas trees. Start a new holiday tradition! Enjoy the memorable experience of choosing your North Carolina Christmas Tree to enjoy back home. Then, cuddle up in front of a fire at The Villa relaxing over a glass Finish Reading »