MP 115.0 - Explore Park - Virginia

Explore Park is a living history museum located along the parkway outside Roanoke. This is the Arthur Taubman Welcome Center. You must pass through this historic building to access the trail leading to the other historic areas of the park.

MP 115.0 - Explore Park - Virginia

The next area you come to is a re-creation of a 18th Century frontier fort. During the 1750's some wealthier settlers built stockades around their homes for protection.

MP 115.0 - Explore Park - Virginia

The first area you come to along the trail is a 17th Century Totero Indian Village. This area depicts life among the local native tribes around 1671 when the first contact with Europeans was made.

MP 115.0 - Explore Park - Virginia

The final area you come to is that depicting a typical 1850's community in the Roanoke area. There is a log cabin, a couple of barns, a schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and grist mill for you to tour.

MP 116.0 - Route 116 - 1,070'

MP 120.3 - Roanoke Mountain - 2,075'

The view from Mill Mountain Overlook along the 4-mile Roanoke Mountain loop.

MP 120.4 - Mill Mountain - 1,750'

Mill Mountain, located about 3 miles off the parkway, is home to the famous "Roanoke Star" and this stunning view of the Roanoke metro area.

MP 120.4 - Mill Mountain - 1,750'

Mill Mountain Sunset

MP 120.3 - Roanoke Mountain - 2,075'

The view from the summit parking area on Roanoke Mountain. The summit trail from the parking area is a nice leg-stretcher but affords no views. Just FYI.

MP 121.0 - 1,250'

Road Scene south of Roanoke

MP 129.3 - Poages Mill Overlook - 2,032'

MP 129.6 - Roanoke Valley Overlook - 2,100'

MP 135.9 - Adney Gap - 2,690'

US-221 Junction

MP 139.0 - Cahas Mountain View - 3,013'

MP 144.8 - Pine Spur Overlook - 2,703'

Looking down to the Virginia Piedmont.

MP 154.5 - Trails Cabin - 2,560'

This cabin was home to the Trail family in the 1890's and converted into a barn in the 1920's.

MP 168.0 - The Saddle - 3,381'

Looking West. The peak in the distance is Buffalo Mountain. According to the signpost early settlers would tell their children they could wander as far as they liked as long as they could see "the Buffalo." My how times have changed.

MP 168.0 - The Saddle - 3,381'

The view east down to the Virginia piedmont.

MP 168.8 - Rock Castle Gorge Overlook - 3,195'

MP 176.2 - Mabry Mill - 2,855'

Mabry Mill is one of the most popular stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway from what I've read. The pretty little mill was built around 1910 and operated until 1936. There are also a number of other small buildings to explore nearby.

MP 176.2 - Mabry Mill - 2,855'

Mabry Mill is one of the most popular stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway from what I've read. The pretty little mill was built around 1910 and operated until 1936. There are also a number of other small buildings to explore nearby.

MP 176.2 - Mabry Mill - 2,855'

This is a shot of the blacksmith shop at Mabry Mill.

MP 188.8 - Groundhog Mountain - 3,035'

MP 188.8 - Groundhog Mountain - 3,035'

A section of the 360-degree view from the tower at Groundhog Mountain. This view looks north and east.

MP 189.9 - Puckett Cabin - 2,848'

MP 195.0 - 2,800'

Road Scene

MP 203.9 - Piedmont View - 2,900'

Looking south, 1900' down to the North Carolina piedmont. Pilot Mountain, NC (2421') can be seen in the distance.

MP 213.3 - Blue Ridge Music Center - 2,700'

MP 216.9 - North Carolina-Virginia State Line - 2,560'

Construction on the parkway began just south of here in September of 1935.

MP 216.9 - North Carolina-Virginia State Line - 2,560'

Construction on the parkway began just south of here in September of 1935.

MP 217.5 - Cumberland Knob - 2,750'

The visitors center at Cumberland Knob.

MP 217.5 - Cumberland Knob - 2,750'

An old cemetery located next to the Cumberland Knob Visitors Center.

MP 217.5 - Cumberland Knob - 2,750'

As you can see here, Cumberland Knob is a great place to stop and have a picnic. The visitors center is the building in the distance.

MP 217.5 - Cumberland Knob - 2,750'

The shelter atop Cumberland Knob. It is about a half mile hike from the visitors center to the shelter at the top. No views here but a very nice walk.

MP 218.6 - Fox Hunters Paradise Overlook - 2,805'

A great view of the NC piedmont. According to my guidebook on the clearest days you can see Winston-Salem from here--50 miles away.

MP 232.5 - Stone Mountain Overlook - 3,115'

MP 234.5 - 3,200'

Roadside view overlooking beautiful Alleghany County, North Carolina.

MP 235.0 - Mahogany Rock Overlook - 3,436'

MP 235.7 - Devils Garden Overlook - 3,436'

MP 238.5 - Brinegar Cabin - 3,508'

MP 239.0 - 3,480'

Road Scene - A pretty section of the parkway as it passes through Doughton Park.

MP 242.0 - Ice Rock - 3,380'

These rocks were exposed during construction of the parkway. They gained the name "Ice Rock" for the large accumulations of ice that can form here in the winter months due to their north-facing orientation.

MP 242.0 - Ice Rock - 3,380'

Ice Rock View

MP 243.0 - Alligator Back - 3,385'

MP 243.4 - Bluff Mountain Overlook - 3,334'

MP 258.7 - Northwest Trading Post - 3,100'

Artists from 11 counties in northwest North Carolina display their creations here. ***Now called Sally Mae's on the Parkway***

MP 260.3 - Jumpin' Off Rock Parking Area View - 3,145'

The view down to the North Carolina piedmont from Jumpin' Off Rock parking area. From here a half-mile trail leads to Jumpin' Off Rock itself.

MP 260.3 - Jumpin' Off Rock Parking Area View - 3,145'

Jumpin' Off Rock Trail-End View