Blue Ridge recommendation

[Pale Rider]

I am pushing out in week for a solo trip of the Blue Ridge Parkway starting in Virginia.  Do any of you have recommendations for reasonable lodging along the way, or any other "must see" stops?  Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[mhallock]

I like to start at Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park at Front Royal, VA. while heading south from NJ. It's a 35 MPH road through the park, a little over 100 miles long, but beautiful overlooks and stops along the way. Leads right into BRP at its north end......

Mark

[..]

http://ncnatural.com/Parkway/MilebyMile.html

Raven Roost
Mabry Mill
Mt Mitchell
Waterrock Knob
Folk Art Center

Don't get distracted by the scenery ! Seriously. Do your viewing whilst stopped.

Watch your speed each side of Asheville and around the tourist areas like Mabry Mill etc.

[hubcapsc]

Watch your speed each side of Asheville and around the tourist areas like Mabry Mill etc.

Get gas somewhere around Boone and don't even stop until you get past Asheville 

If you need to stay somewhere on this (NC) end, I recommend Maggie Valley, not
because it is luxurious, but because it is so easy to get on and off the Parkway without
decending into tourist traffic h**l there... and because Maggie Valley is kind of like
a 1960 tourist place, low key...



-Mike

[Ice]

From where are you starting from?

That will depend on where you want to stay, Skyline drive is beautiful, just watch out for the Park Rangers , they have been on the prowl this year and 35 mph is sometimes hard to keep on the Valk.
If your travels take you to Winchester let me know, I have a place to stay, beer is cold grill ist hot.

Yuri

[3fan4life]

Cheap and Clean in Roanoke, VA
http://www.colonyhousemotorlodge.com/
about 1 mi. from the Parkway. (MM 121)

Tuggles Gap Restaurant and Motel
http://www.rondalestudios.com/BRM//tugglesgap/

Small with nothing fancy, in Floyd, Co VA less than 1/2 mi from the parkway. (MM 165)


Willville motorcycle campground
http://www.willvillebikecamp.com/

Meadows of Dan, VA (MM 177)

This is some of the places that are reachable on day one if you start at MM 0.0 it just all depends on how much stopping that you do.

Ravens Roost @ MM 10.7 is a must stop

Yankee Horse Ridge @ MM 34.4 has a waterfall and part of an old logging railroad.

The James River @ MM 63.5 has an old canal lock exhibit from the 1700's also the JCT with US 501 offers fuel and food close by if you go towards Big Island.

Thunder Ridge Parking Area @ MM 74.5 has a great view there is a short trail to see the view.

Peaks of Otter @ MM 85.9 has a restaurant, lodging (exspensive and no TV).

If you've taken in alot of stops or didn't get an early start Roanoke, VA is a good place to spend the night. Fuel is also easy to get from any of the Roanoke exits.

Mabry Mill @ MM 176.1 is a required stop. There is a restaurant here but Meadows of Dan one mile further south has more.

What dates aer you planning on riding the vA section?

f I'm not doing something that day and you want to hook up I'll be glad to meet you and ride the VA section with you.

[dipstick]

Not far past the Va, NC state line you can stop for a cold beverage of choice and get a room at Freeborns or Stations Inn at the juntion of the Parkway and rt. 18. Both are 1/8 mile off the parkway and there is a gas station 4 miles up the road toward Sparta.

[Sludge]

http://www.stationsinn.com/index-a.html