Blue Ridge Parkway

[garmp]

Going to be at Fairy Stone SP, VA. Tour Mt. Airy, NC cause it's there and head to Roan Mountain SP TN and want to get on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a bit, so we can say we did it. Is there anything special we should know about this choice? Ease of getting on and off parkway. Are mile markers evident? Well marked? Other sights? Waterfalls, etc.
We have a 22' RV so roads are not a major concern, but still want to be cautious. Local eatery info is always a plus. Not big hikers, due to health issues, but can manage short, easy paths.

[ncscz]

Gulfcoast wrote:
ATTENTION PLEASE:

Looking for an overlook on the Smoky Mountain end of the parkway that is wide open to the sky... for telescope stargazing (at night).

Ideas?

Thanks for your help.

You did not define how far up the BRP you were willing to go. The closer you stay to Cherokee, the more light pollution and traffic you will have to deal with. Cherokee no longer closes down at night.

The Waterrock Knob (milepost 451) parking/picnic area has views to the east & west. From there to Devil's Courthouse (milepost 384) any pull off with 'overlook' in its name will will be the open sky pull off. We have used Beartrap Gap, Bear Pen Gap, or Rough Butt Bald for night sky viewing. Those have about as dark a sky as is available anywhere along the Parkway anymore.

[sljohnson1938]

When on the Blue Ridge parkway (North or South) take US52 South at Fancy Gap. This will take you to Mt. Airy. You can take either state hiway 89 or US601. Both will take you to downtown Mr. Airy, go left or East at either. I would take hiway 89. If you take US601 it dead ends at Main st and you can park at the post office, plenty of room for your RV. Hiway 89 goes thru Mt. Airy, but when you past Moody funeral home there is a large parking area to the left, turn left at the traffic light. Snappy Lunch closes at 2PM. not sure about the Andy Griffith museum hours.
Lots of eating places, the best in my opinion is 13 Bones on US52, closed on Monday. We eat there every week, usually on Friday.
If camping is an issue there are two private CG. There is also a Wal-Mart on US601. See campers there all the time.

[Gulfcoast]

I know about C. Dome... thanks

[ken56]

Gulfcoast, Clingmans Dome is the highest peak. The BRP ends in Cherokee and then its up 441 heading to Gatlinburg. Wide open views.

[Gulfcoast]

ATTENTION PLEASE:

Looking for an overlook on the Smoky Mountain end of the parkway that is wide open to the sky... for telescope stargazing (at night).

Ideas?

Thanks for your help.

[TxTwoSome]

garmp wrote:
Actually our plan to date, and subject to change at any moment, is to leave Fairy Stone SP and head to Tuggles Gap Restaurant near the BRP. Jump on it there to Fancy Gap and then on our merry way to Roan Mountain SP. To us it's one of those, "Oh we've done that" things.
Thanks for all the info and tips. They are appreciated!

While you are in Fairy stone note the better sites if you could and then let us know. It would be greatly appreciated.

We will be stopping there on our way home later this year..

[garmp]

Actually our plan to date, and subject to change at any moment, is to leave Fairy Stone SP and head to Tuggles Gap Restaurant near the BRP. Jump on it there to Fancy Gap and then on our merry way to Roan Mountain SP. To us it's one of those, "Oh we've done that" things.
Thanks for all the info and tips. They are appreciated!

[bukhrn]

bucky wrote:
We had an excellent meal last fall on the BRP. A hotel restaurant combo just north of Luray VA. Be advised that there is a low clearance tunnel in that area. Our RV was in Luray at the KOA formerly Country Waye. A great place to be BTW.

Actually, Luray is Not on BRP, it's just off Skyline Drive, I-64 is the dividing line between BRP & Skyline.

[markc]

If you get near Boone, go eat at the Daniel Boone Inn. Great place to eat! Good luck with your trip .

[bucky]

We had an excellent meal last fall on the BRP. A hotel restaurant combo just north of Luray VA. Be advised that there is a low clearance tunnel in that area. Our RV was in Luray at the KOA formerly Country Waye. A great place to be BTW.

[Farmboy666]

K Charles wrote:
The parkway is a national park. You won't see anything but scenery. If you want a "local eatery" you will have to leave the park.

Not true, there are restaurants on the parkway and a few within spitting distance.

[Johno02]

In the area you are going to, the Winery up at Meadows of Dan is a must do. Actually, its address is in Floyd. Chateau Morrisette - Virginia Winery and Restaurant. You can check out their website. I do like their wines also.

[vjstangelo]

Eateries? Yes. Beautiful hotel and restaurant at the Peaks of Otter on the Parkway. A very nice restaurant also at Mabry Mill on the parkway. Both are in the vicinity of Roanoke, VA. About 10 miles north of the Peaks is a waterfall, a short walk from the Parkway.

[md_procouple]

Keep in mind your maximum height Good Luck and Happy Camping !! Have a great trip !!