10 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks In North Carolina
Looking for the best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks? Well, we have 10 for you to see!
While the Blue Ridge Parkway spans from Virginia to North Carolina, this guide covers the best North Carolina overlooks along the Parkway.
While there are plenty more overlooks to explore, these are some of the best views near Asheville!
To see this list of overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway, plan to use Asheville as your home base.
Asheville is a great starting point for road trips on the Blue Ridge Parkway! It’s also home to amazing restaurants, craft breweries, and art galleries.
Now, the list below of Blueridge Parkway overlooks near Asheville, which will take you north and south of the city. These overlooks can be as close as 30 minutes to as far away as a few hours.
But rest assured that you’ll see some of the best overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway!
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The Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks Near Asheville
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North Carolina Blue Ridge Parkway Overlook Map
1. Craggy Pinnacle
Craggy Pinnacle is one of the closest Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks, and it takes 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach it from Asheville.
Once you enter the parking lot, park your car and head towards the trailhead. You’ll have to hike a short 0.5-miles to get to the top of Craggy Dome.
Short and sweet!
Once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted with 360 panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Not to mention North Carolina’s sprawling valleys and views of the Blue Ridge Parkway itself!
This is a great place to watch the sunset on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but it does get crowded. So, plan to arrive well ahead of sunset to claim a seat at the top!
Oh, and be sure to pack a jacket or some warm layers, as you’ll be sitting pretty at 5,892 ft. Once the sun sets or a breeze picks up, it can definitely get cold.
2. Graybeard Mountain View Overlook
Graybeard Mountain Overlook is the next overlook 2 minutes North of Craggy Pinnacle.
And the best part? No hiking is required to see this overlook’s amazing views.
As you exit your car, you’ll have exceptional eastern views of the forested valleys and the Blue Ridge Mountains as far as the eye can see from 5,592 feet in elevation.
3. Chestoa View Overlook
This overlook is located 4 miles south of Linville Falls. If you have the time, it’s another great stop to add to your Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary!
After you park, you’ll need to take a short jaunt to access this overlook, but fear not—it’s a mere .25-mile walk to the rock-walled viewing area.
Once you reach the end of the trail, you’ll see Grandfather Mountain to the left and Table Rock to the right. Take in the beautiful views from 4,090 ft in elevation before heading to your next Blue Ridge Parkway overlook.
4. Beacon Heights Overlook
Like many of the other overlooks on this list, Beacon Heights Overlook requires a short one-mile round-trip hike through the woods from the parking area.
The hike, while rated as easy, is not on a paved path, so be careful of your footing!
Once you emerge from your short time in the woods, you’ll be greeted with expansive, beautiful views from a large, weathered rock outcrop.
While not as tall in elevation as some other overlooks, this Blue Ridge Parkway overlook should definitely not be missed!
Oh, and depending on the time of day you are here, this is a great spot to have a picnic lunch or snack!
5. Linn Cove Viaduct Overlook from Tanawha Trail
The Linn Cove Viaduct is a 1,243-foot bridge that weaves through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Viaduct is one of the most photographed areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
If you want to get a photo or just see a nice vantage point of Linn Cove Viaduct, you’ll need to park at the Visitor Center and hike the Tanawha Trail. The moderate 0.8-mile out-and-back trail is among the best places to see the Linn Cove Viaduct.
ATL OPTION: You can also stop at Yonahlossee Overlook and walk a short way along the footpath (heading toward the Viaduct) to get a nice view or see distant views of the viaduct from Rough Ridge Lookout.
6. Rough Ridge Lookout
Arguably, one of the best short-distance hikes that packs a punch with some seriously amazing views is Rough Ridge Lookout.
Just a 1/3-mile uphill hike from the parking area brings you to a boardwalk atop the rocky mountain, which offers epic views of Grandfather Mountain and Linn Cove Viaduct.
You can venture out onto nearby boulders (just be careful not to step on the vegetation!) to get various viewpoints of the surrounding areas.
Really, Rough Ridge Lookout is, without a doubt, one of the absolutely best Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks!
7. Mills River Valley Overlook
Mills River Valley Overlook is perfect for those looking for a close place to watch the sunrise from Asheville.
Located about 30 minutes south of Asheville, Mills River Valley Overlook offers all those beautiful layered views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance, as well as the morning sunlight beams across the valley.
Sure, it may be an early wakeup, but pack a thermos of coffee and watch the sunrise from the front seat of your car or the bed of your truck! No hiking is required for these epic views 🙂
Oh, and if you’re coming for sunrise, pack a jacket or sweatshirt; it’s cold, even in July!
PRO TIP: If you forgot a warm layer (like we did), the Pisgah Inn is just down the street. There, you can purchase a sweatshirt and grab a coffee and a bite to eat from their grab-and-go cafe.
8. Devil’s Courthouse Overlook
A short and mostly paved trail but a challenging half-mile climb to the top is what you’ll have to do to get to the top of the Devil’s Courthouse Overlook.
However, once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with vast panoramic mountain views of nearby peaks in the Pisgah National Forest, as well as (on a clear day) views into South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Oh, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see Peregrine Falcons flying in the skies above and nesting on the rocky outcrops near Devils Courthouse.
9. Cowee Mountains Overlook
Around an hour southeast of Asheville, you’ll find the spectacular Cowee Mountains Overlook.
Sitting just under 6,000 ft in elevation, Cowee Mountains Overlook is just north of Richland Balsam on the Blue Ridge Parkway and it has some pretty epic views.
This overlook faces southeast, making it great for taking in the sunset views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Nantahala National Forest.
And the best part? This overlook and all its beautiful views require no hiking to get to! Just park your car and enjoy!
10. Waterrock Knob Visitor Center Overlook
Last but certainly not least is Waterrock Knob. This overlook can be found at the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center, the Parkway’s highest visitor center sitting at 5,719 feet elevation
Here, you’ll find amazing picnic spots, panoramic views, and the southernmost hiking trail along the Parkway on the way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
With views to the east and west from the parking area, it’s one of the best places to watch a sunrise or sunset on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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– Lauren & Jesse Stuart (The Stu’s)
