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

Judges For the AMPC Have Been Announced!

Part of the excitement for me personally is finding out who this year’s judges are going to be for the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition. I took a moment to speak with each of them so that we can all get to know them a little better. Finish Reading »

Trout Lake Drowning

The High Country of NC was shocked to learn about a 52-year-old man drowning in Trout Lake last Wednesday. A tragic accident really, all he was trying to do was go after one of his dogs that had wandered onto the frozen lake surface. Most people in the area have been Finish Reading »

Appalachian Voices Adds Cash Award

Appalachian Voices, as sponsor of the Ecological Footprint category for the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition, will be putting up a $200 cash award for the winner in this category. As the newest supporter of the AMPC, Appalachian Voices has helped to revitalize a previously underrepresented category for the competition. Sandra Diaz, Finish Reading »

First-Ever Blue Ridge Parkway Children's Book Now Available!

My husband David and I are pleased to announce that we have just written and published the first-ever children’s book about the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is something we’ve had in mind for years, ever since we realized that there was virtually nothing out there about the Parkway that speaks Finish Reading »

What Is A Go Blue Ridge Card?

Common Question: On a recent trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains with friends I noticed at some attractions they were presenting a small plastic card and were allowed entrance without paying. My friend said that it was a Go Blue Ridge Card. What is this and where can I get one? Answer: The Finish Reading »