Blue Ridge Parkway
We are seeing the Skyline Parkway, Blue Ridge Parkway and the Outer Banks this summer. Any suggestions for routes there as well as campgrounds to use would be appreciated. Leaving Boston area going to...
Forum Discussion
ROUTES - From the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Outer Banks, you'll have a choice of three routes east. I-40 is four lane and the quickest; US64 is mostly two lane but much more scenic; I've only driven sections of US70 in that part of the state but it would be my third choice. All three intersect near Raleigh where you'll need to make another decision. Note: It can easily take well over an hour to get through the Raleigh/Durham area in weekday morning/afternoon rush hour traffic.
There are three access points to the Outer Banks. Since VA doesn't apply here, you'll have the options of through Manteo in the north or Ocracoke from the south.
US64 is four lane from Raleigh to Manteo except for the last forty miles. Usually the traffic isn't a problem on any of this and it will be the fastest.
US70 out of Raleigh will be the route of choice if you want to come in from the south by taking the Cedar Island to Ocracoke ferry.
US264 splits off from US64 twenty miles east of Raleigh and more or less runs parallel until rejoining it just outside Manteo. It passes through several small towns and has quite a bit of two lane but isn't a bad drive and it also provides the option of taking the Swan Quarter ferry to Ocracoke should you want to arrive from the south.
My recommendation would be to start at one end and leave from the other. Ferry reservations for either southern ferry are strongly suggested.
CG's - Have stayed at and enjoyed all Federal facilities on the Parkway and Skyline Drive. Lake Powhatan in Pisgah Nat Forest is a good one near Asheville if you plan to take in Biltmore. The NC Arboretum is also nearby and well worth a stop.
For us, there's nothing special for CG's between Asheville and the coast along any of the routes. We camp a fair amount in the mountains and along the ocean but live in the middle so don't overnight in between.
On the Outer Banks, Camp Hatteras, KOA and Ocean Waves are the big three commercial offerings. We prefer any of the four National Seashore cg's with Frisco being our favorite. Note: Oregon Inlet, Ocracoke and particularly Cape Point cg's will flood under heavy extended rain.
Hope you enjoy your visit with us.
There are three access points to the Outer Banks. Since VA doesn't apply here, you'll have the options of through Manteo in the north or Ocracoke from the south.
US64 is four lane from Raleigh to Manteo except for the last forty miles. Usually the traffic isn't a problem on any of this and it will be the fastest.
US70 out of Raleigh will be the route of choice if you want to come in from the south by taking the Cedar Island to Ocracoke ferry.
US264 splits off from US64 twenty miles east of Raleigh and more or less runs parallel until rejoining it just outside Manteo. It passes through several small towns and has quite a bit of two lane but isn't a bad drive and it also provides the option of taking the Swan Quarter ferry to Ocracoke should you want to arrive from the south.
My recommendation would be to start at one end and leave from the other. Ferry reservations for either southern ferry are strongly suggested.
CG's - Have stayed at and enjoyed all Federal facilities on the Parkway and Skyline Drive. Lake Powhatan in Pisgah Nat Forest is a good one near Asheville if you plan to take in Biltmore. The NC Arboretum is also nearby and well worth a stop.
For us, there's nothing special for CG's between Asheville and the coast along any of the routes. We camp a fair amount in the mountains and along the ocean but live in the middle so don't overnight in between.
On the Outer Banks, Camp Hatteras, KOA and Ocean Waves are the big three commercial offerings. We prefer any of the four National Seashore cg's with Frisco being our favorite. Note: Oregon Inlet, Ocracoke and particularly Cape Point cg's will flood under heavy extended rain.
Hope you enjoy your visit with us.
