Common Question: I am planning to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway in (pick a month) and I would like to see as many waterfalls as I can. Is there a list of waterfalls that I can easily access? Do you have any recommendations for waterfall walks?
Answer: The Blue Ridge Parkway is a natural wonder that meanders through the Southern Appalachian Mountains. These mountains are the source of many major rivers including the New River and Yadkin River. As such, many waterfalls have been created as the small streams and rivers have washed away topsoil and dirt, but couldn't get past the granite and quartz (among other rocks and minerals).
Some of these waterfalls are accessible quickly and easily from the Parkway roadway. We have compiled a list of the more common waterfalls that attract thousands of photographers and sightseers on an annual basis. You can view the list on our Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls page.
If you are interested in finding out more about some of the more obscure waterfalls, as well as more details on our list of waterfalls, you might find some of the books below to be quite helpful. We have ranked them based on reviews from customers of the Blue Ridge Parkway Store:
- Waterfalls of the Blue Ridge: A Hiking Guide to the Cascades of the Blue Ridge Mountains
- North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide
- Waterfalls of Virginia and West Virginia: A Hiking and Photography Guide
- Waterfall Walks and Drives in the Great Smoky Mountians and the Western Carolinas
One of our personal favorites is Linville Falls at Milepost 316 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. In the fall of 2004, there were several hurricanes (some downgraded to Tropical Storms) that passed along the Blue Ridge Parkway and caused considerable damage, including the destruction of the Linville Falls Visitor Center. The Visitor Center was later rebuilt, but it's hard to appreciate the power of water as it rushes from the mountains when the rain is heavy. The Blue Ridge Parkway was lucky enough to catch the force behind the Linville River as it plummeted into the Linville Gorge at Linville Falls.
Here are 2 videos, one on a normal day and one shot during Hurricane Ivan (one of the several that passed through this area in 2004).
Normal Day at Linville Falls:
Hurricane Ivan Attacks the Blue Ridge Mountains: