Scenic overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway

There are approximately 280 pullouts along the Blue Ridge Parkway, many of which are designed to offer travelers a scenic view. Not all overlooks provide views of mountains and valleys, as some are viewing areas for creeks and lakes. Others don’t offer views at all and are instead parking areas for trails and hunting areas.

Unfortunately, the scenic views are in very poor health today. When the Blue Ridge Parkway began construction in 1935, much of the area had been logged, so all of the scenic views were unobstructed. Over the years trees, brush, and other vegetation have grown up and blocked many of the views, which frustrates visitors who stop at overlook after overlook just to be confronted by forest or vistas that can only be seen through gaps in the overgrowth. Since the Number 1 activity enjoyed by Parkway visitors is driving and stopping at the overlooks, the decline in overlook maintenance is often cited as the main reason why visitation to the Blue Ridge Parkway has been declining since 2002.

The National Park Service estimates that the surrounding economy is losing $500 million a year due to declining tourism directly attributed to overgrown overlooks. Many overlooks are lost causes, as an entire forest would need to be cut down to restore the original view. Some aren’t even being blocked by trees, but by weeds and brush that can easily be removed. Others can be recovered if something is done soon. By my count, no more than 50 scenic overlooks are worth visiting today.

The Laurel Knob Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway is an example of an overlook that can be recovered if action is taken soon

Lately, what little maintenance being done is often through the efforts of nonprofit organizations and local counties that are feeling the financial blow. The problem is that the trees are often being trimmed and not cut down. While the National Park Service is not against cutting down trees, it evaluates each overlook to determine what can be cut down and what should be trimmed to protect the habitats of certain animals. Trimming is just throwing away money, for the overlooks will be overgrown again in a couple of years. There are millions of trees in these forests, so I can’t see how cutting down a few dozen at an overlook is going to do any harm. When you are loosing $500 million a year, it’s time to wake up and realize who is paying the bills: the squirrels or the tourists.

The view at the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Fed Cove Overlook in Haywood County is lost forever

On the positive side of the situation, you don’t need hundreds of overlooks with a view, you just need to know where the good ones are. After a dozen or so you’ll start burning out on them anyway. I have photographed all overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway and have complied the list below of those that still offer scenic views, applying ratings from 1 Star to 5 Stars (*****) for each. Keep in mind that some of the views require hiking to. There is a link to each stop’s web page where you can see photos and read more about what there is to do. Many overlooks have trails, picnic tables, and even historic buildings located in the parking area. A “P” or a “T” after the star rating indicates that there is a picnic table or a trail at the stop. Remember, this list is of stops with scenic overlooks only. See the Master Directory for a list of every stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway (visitor centers, picnic areas, campgrounds, trail parking, etc.)

Overlooks rated from 0 to 2 stars aren’t worth stopping at unless there is a trail that interests you or a picnic table when you are ready for a meal. Overlooks rated a 3 might be worth stopping at if you are driving a short portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway and these are the only overlooks you will be passing. The only overlooks really worth stopping at are those with a 4 or 5 star rating. You can scroll through the list below to find the good ones, or simply go to the Best Scenic Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway web page for a handy list.

For those of you wanting to visit a specific overlook, please be aware that signs along the Blue Ridge Parkway only indicate that an overlook is coming up. The name of the overlook is not given, making it hard to find a particular one. Therefore, if there is an overlook you want to stop at, you must know the mile post number and keep track of the mile posts as you drive. Attraction and visitor facility locations on the Parkway are referenced by mile posts (MP). Mileage is tracked from 0 at the northern entrance to 469 at the southern entrance. You will see the mile posts along the Parkway just as you see mile posts on interstates and other highways.

1. Afton Overlook (MP .2) V*
2. Rockfish Valley View (MP 1.5) V****
3. Humpback Gap Overlook (MP 6) H***** / Ts / P
4. Greenstone Overlook (MP 8.8) V*** / T
5. Rock Point Overlook (MP 10.4) V***
6. Ravens Roost Overlook (MP 10.7) V***** / P
7. Hickory Spring Parking Area (MP 11.7) V** / P
8. 3 Ridges Mountain (MP 13.1) V*** / T / P
9. 20-Minute Cliff (MP 19) V***
10. The Slacks Overlook (MP 20) V** / Ts / P
11. Bald Mountain Overlook (MP 22.1) V**
12. Fork Mountain Overlook (MP 23) V**
13. Big Spy Mountain (MP 26.3) V** / T
14. Boston Knob (MP 38.8) V** / T / P
15. Irish Creek Valley View (MP 42.4) V**
16. Chimney Rock Mountain Overlook (MP 44.9) V***
17. Buena Vista View (MP 45.7) V***
18. House Mountain View (MP 49.3) V***
19. Punch Bowl Mountain Overlook (MP 51.7) V* / T
20. Rice Mountain Overlook (MP 53.6) V** / P
21. Dancing Creek Overlook (MP 55.9) V* / P
22. Upper Otter Creek Overlook (MP 57.6) V*
23. Otter Creek Flats Overlook (MP 58.2) V* / P
24. The Riffles (MP 60.4) V*
25. Lower Otter Creek Overlook (MP 62.5) V** / T / P
26. Otter Lake (MP 63.1) V*** / Ts
27. James River Visitor Center (MP 63.6) V**** / I / E / RR / LP / Ts / H
28. Terrapin Mountain View (MP 72.6) V*
29. Thunder Ridge Parking Area (MP 74.7) HV***** / T / P
30. Arnold Valley View (MP 75.2) V*****
31. Apple Orchard Mountain (MP 76.5) V***
32. Sunset Field (MP 78.4) V* / Ts / WF
33. Onion Mountain Overlook (MP 79.7) V*** / T / P
34. Black Rock Hill View (MP 79.9) V*
35. Head Foremost Mountain View (MP 81.9) V**
36. Upper Goose Creek Valley View (MP 89.4) V***
37. Porter Mountain View (MP 90) V***
38. Mills Gap View (MP 91.8) V*** / T / P
39. Purgatory Mountain View (MP 92.1) V****
40. Sharp Top Mountain View (MP 92.5) V**** / T
41. Bobletts Gap Overlook (MP 93.1) V* / H / P / T
42. Pine Tree Overlook (MP 95.2) V****
43. Harveys Knob Overlook (MP 95.3) V*** / T
44. Montvale View (MP 95.4) V***** / Ts / P
45. Iron Mine Hollow (MP 96.2) V***
46. Taylor Mountain View (MP 97) V**** / T
47. Great Valley Overlook (MP 99.6) V**** / P
48. The Quarry Overlook (MP 100.9) V***
49. N&W Railroad Overlook (MP 106.9) V***
50. Roanoke River Overlook (MP 114.9) V**** / Ts
51. Roanoke Mountain Loop Road (MP 120.3) V***** / T
52. Buck Mountain Overlook (MP 123.2) V*, T
53. Masons Knob View (MP 126.6) V*
54. Poages Mill Overlook (MP 129.3) V*
55. Roanoke Vally Overlook (MP 129.6) V****
56. Lost Mountain View (MP 129.9) V**
57. Slings Gap (MP 132.4) V*
58. Poor Mountain View (MP 134.9) V*
59. Cahas Mountain View (MP 139) V***
60. Devils Backbone View (MP 143.9) V*****
61. Pine Spur Overlook (MP 144.8) V**** / P
62. Smart View Overlook (MP 154.1) V* / T
63. Rakes Mill Pond (MP 162.4) V** / H
64. The Saddle Overlook (MP 168) V**** / T
65. Rock Castle Gorge Overlook (MP 168.8) V**** / T
66. Twelve O’Clock Knob Overlook (MP 169.1) V**** / Ts
67. Piedmont Overlook (MP 203.9) V**
68. High Piney Spur (MP 218.6) V**** / T
69. Little Glade Mill Pond (MP 230.1) V***, P, T
70. Stone Mountain Overlook (MP 232.5) V** / P
71. Bullhead Mountain Overlook (MP 233.7) V**
72. Mahogany Rock Overlook (MP 235) V* / P
73. Devils Garden Overlook (MP 235.7) V** / T
74. Air Bellows Overlook (MP 236.9) V****
75. Low Notch Overlook (MP 240.6) V** / Ts
76. Alligator Back Overlook (MP 242.4) V***** /Ts
77. Bluff Mountain View (MP 243.4) V*** / T
78. Basin Cove Overlook (MP 244.7) V* / Ts
79. Jumpinoff Rock Parking Area (MP 260.3) V*** / T / P
80. The Lump Overlook (MP 264.4) V*** / T / P
81. Mount Jefferson View (MP 266.8) V**
82. Betseys Rock Falls View (MP 267.8) V** / P
83. Lewis Fork Overlook (MP 270.2) V*
84. Elk Mountain Overlook (MP 274.3) V***
85. Stoney Fork Overlook (MP 277.3) V**
86. Osborne Mountain View (MP 277.9) V****
87. Carroll Gap Overlook (MP 278.3) V***
88. Grandview Overlook (MP 281.4) V***
89. Raven Rocks Overlook (MP 289.5) V*** / T
90. Yadkin Valley Overlook (MP 289.9) V****
91. Thunder Hill Overlook (MP 290.4) V****
92. Sims Pond Overlook (295.9) V*** / T
93. Price Lake Overlook (MP 296.7) V***** / T
94. Lakeview Overlook (MP 297) V*** / Ts / F
95. Green Mountain Overlook (MP 300.6) V*
96. Pilot Ridge Overlook (MP 301.8) V*
97. Wilson Creek Valley View (MP 302.1) V***
98. Boulder Field Overlook (MP302.4) V*** / T
99. Wilson Creek Overlook (MP 302.8) H*** / T
100. Yonahlossee Overlook (MP 303.9) H****
101. Stack Rock Parking Area (MP 304.8) V*** / T
102. Beacon Heights Parking Area (MP 305.2) H***** / Ts
103. Grandfather Mountain View (MP 306.6) V***
104. Little Bald Overlook (MP 307.6) V**
105. Flat Rock Parking Overlook (MP 308.3) HV***** / T / P
106. Lost Cove Cliffs View (MP 310) V*/ P
107. North Toe River Valley View (MP 318.4) V**
108. Chestoa View Parking Area (MP 320.8) H*** / P / T
109. Bear Den Overlook (MP 323) V*****
110. Heffner Gap Overlook (MP 325.9) V** / T
111. North Cove View (MP 327.3) V**** / P
112. The Loops Overlook (MP 328.6) V**
113. Table Rock Mountain View (MP 329.8) V*
114. Deer Lick Gap (MP 337.2) V** / P
115. Three Knob Overlook (MP 338.8) V*****
116. Black Mountains Overlook (MP 342.2) V***
117. Singecat Ridge Overlook (MP 345.3) V* / T
118. Big Laurel Gap Overlook (MP 347.9) V***
119. Curtis Valley Overlook (MP 348.8) V***
120. Laurel Knob Overlook (MP 349.2) V***
121. Mount Mitchell View (MP 349.9) V**
122. Green Knob Overlook (MP 350.4) V*** / T
123. Bald Knob Parking Area (MP 352.4) V****
124. Ridge Junction Overlook (MP 355.3) V***
125. Glassmine Falls View (MP 361.2) V** / T
126. Graybeard Mountain View (MP 363.4) V*** / T
127. Craggy Dome View (MP 364.2) V***** / T
128. Lane Pinnacle View (MP 372.1) V***
129. Bull Creek Valley View (MP 373.8) V** / P
130. Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7) V****
131. Haw Creek Valley View (MP 380) V***
132. French Broad Overlook (MP 393.8) V*
133. Walnut Cove View (MP 396.4) V*** / T
134. Sleepy Gap Parking Area (MP 397.3) V*** / T
135. Chestnut Cove View (MP 398.3) V** / T
136. Bad Fork Valley Overlook (MP 399.7) V**
137. Wash Creek Valley Overlook (MP 401) V***
138. Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7) V*** / T
139. Stony Bald View (MP 402.6) V*** / T
140. Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6) V**** / T
141. Hominy Valley View (MP 404.2) V***
142. Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5) V**** / T
143. Buck Springs Gap Overlook (MP 407.6) V*** /  Ts
144. Flat Laurel Gap Overlook (MP 408.3) V** / T
145. Funnel Top Overlook (MP 409.3) V****
146. Pink Beds View (MP 410.3) V***
147. Cradle of Forestry Overlook (MP 411) V***
148. Cold Mountain View (MP 411.9) V*
149. Pounding Mill Overlook (MP 413.2) V****
150. Cherry Cove View (MP 415.7) V*** / T
151. Log Hollow Overlook (MP 416.3) V*** / P
152. Looking Glass Rock View (MP 417) V**** / T
153. East Fork Overlook (MP 418.3) V****
154. Graveyard Fields (MP 418.8) H***** / Ts
155. Fetterbush Overlook (MP 421.7) V*
156. Devils Courthouse View (MP 422.4) HV***** / T / P
157. Courthouse Valley Overlook (MP 423.5) V*** / P
158. Herrin Knob View (MP 424.4) V***
159. Wolf Mountain Overlook (MP 424.8) V***
160. Rough Butt Bald View (MP 425.4) V**
161. Spot Knob Overlook (MP 427.8) V* / T
162. Caney Fork Overlook (MP 428) V****
163. Beartrap Gap Overlook (MP 428.5) V** / P
164. Beartrail Ridge Overlook (MP 430.4) V**** / P
165. Cowee Mountain Overlook (MP 430.7) V*****
166. Haywood-Jackson Overlook (MP 431) V* / T
167. Richland Balsam Overlook (MP 431.4) V**
168. Lone Bald Overlook (MP 432.7) V***
169. Roy Taylor Forest Overlook (MP 433.3) V***
170. Doubletop Mountain View (MP 435.3) V**** / T
171. Licklog Ridge Overlook (MP 435.7) V*** / P / T
172. Grassy Ridge Mine Overlook (MP 436.8) V**** / P / T
173. Steestachee Bald View (MP 438.9) V***
174. Cove Field Ridge Overlook (MP 439.4) V**
175. Village of Saunook View (MP 440) V*
176. Waynesville View (MP 440.9) V*
177. Standing Rock Overlook (MP 441.4) V*** / P
178. Rabb Knob Overlook (MP 441.9) V*/ P
179. The Orchards Overlook (MP 444.6) V** / T
180. Mount Lyn Lowry View (MP 445.2) V** / P
181. Woodfin Valley View (MP 446) V*
182. Woodfin Cascades Overlook (MP 446.7) V** / T
183. Wesner Bald View (MP 448.1) V***
184. Scott Creek Overlook (MP 448.5) V*** / T
185. Fork Ridge Overlook (MP 449) V**** / T
186. Yellow Face View (MP 450.2) V***
187. Waterrock Knob Overlook (MP 451.2) V*****/ T / P
188. Cranberry Ridge View (MP 452.1) V*
189. Woolyback Overlook (MP 452.3) V****
190. Hornbuckle Valley View (MP 453.4) V*
191. Thunder Struck Ridge (MP 454.4) V****
192. Plott Balsam Overlook (MP 457.9) V*
193. Heintooga Spur Road (MP 458.2) V*** / P
194. Lickstone Ridge Overlook (MP 458.9) V*
195. Bunches Bald Overlook (MP 459.5) V***
196. Jenkins Ridge Overlook (MP 460.8) V*
197. Big Witch Overlook (MP 461.9) V** / P
198. Ballhoot Scar View (MP 461.4) V*
199. Raven Fork Overlook (MP 467.9) V*
200. Oconaluftee Overlook (MP 468.4) V**

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