Blue Ridge Parkway | RAVEN ROCKS OVERLOOK (MP 289.5)

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Raven Rocks Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway

View: ♦ ♦ ♦ / 5
Trails: Mountains to Sea Trail
Picnic Tables: None

The Raven Rocks Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway is split in half by two large trees near the parking area. On the north end is a large rock ledge that you can stand on, but in truth, the view is the same from the parking lot. I assume this is the Raven Rock. Other than that, there’s nothing particularly interesting about the view, which mainly consists of mountains with lots of houses built on them.

View from the Raven Rocks Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway

View from the Raven Rocks Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Panoramic view from the Raven Rocks Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway (click to enlarge)

Panoramic view from the Raven Rocks Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway (click to enlarge)

A stop at Raven Rocks Overlook is certainly not warranted unless you plan to hike the Mountains to Sea Trail, which comes through here. This trail runs 1,150 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the North Carolina Outer Banks. It is not part of the National Park, so I did not hike or review it, but you can get information on the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail website.

For those driving north, there is an excellent pastoral view between the Raven Rocks Overlook and Boone’s Trace. There is nowhere to stop to take a photo, but luckily nobody was behind me and I was able to stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a moment to get the shot.

Pastoral scene just north of Raven Rocks Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Pastoral scene just north of Raven Rocks Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway


Next Stop South | Next Stop North | Scenic Overlooks

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Last updated on October 12, 2024
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