View of Rock Castle Gorge from the Rock Castle Gorge Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway

View: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ / 5
Trails: Rock Castle Gorge Trail, Black Ridge Trail
Picnic Tables: None

For an excellent view into Rock Castle Gorge, be sure to stop at the Twelve O’clock Knob Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. An expansive vista awaits right from the parking lot, but the large field before you blocks the view into the valley. To get around this, walk across the field and then down to a trail just below it—the Rock Castle Gorge Trail. The quickest way down is on a path people have worn through the center of the field, but there is also a path on the left side of the parking lot.

Large field in front of the parking lot at the Twelve O’clock Knob Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Panoramic view from the Twelve O’clock Knob Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway (click to enlarge)

For an even better view, take a five minute walk (10 minutes round trip) farther south on the Rock Castle Gorge Trail, which is to the right if you are looking at the mountains and valley. The trail starts off through the woods but soon comes out into a clearing. The Blue Ridge Parkway is just to your right. You will see the mountains, but the best view is from the far side of the clearing, so continue walking. Just before reentering the forest on the other side is a nice view into the valley.

Rock Castle Gorge from the Rock Castle Gorge Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway

In addition to the views, the Twelve O’clock Knob Overlook is probably the best parking area for those wanting to hike the Rock Castle Gorge Trail or the Black Ridge Trail. A wayside exhibit features a large map of the area trails. For information on these hikes, see the Rocky Knob Hiking Trails web page here on National Park Planner.

There are no picnic tables at this stop, but the large Rocky Knob Picnic Area is located less than a quarter mile to the north at the same exit as the Rocky Knob Information Station.

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