Along the natural beauty that stretches for hundreds of miles there are almost two dozen amazing history stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We’ll cover everything you need to know about where to see the best historic sites and a few places you may not expect.
The Blue Ridge Parkway has hundreds of stunning overlooks, dozens of exciting hikes, and more than a few beautiful historic sites. When most people think about the Blue Ridge Parkway, they usually picture the layered mountains of Western North Carolina, but the Blue Ridge Parkway has so much more.
The list is broken down between sites found in Virginia and in North Carolina.
Which historic spots are the best?
All the stops are worth visiting, but a few stand out more than the rest. These places give you the most bang for your buck.
- Peaks of Otter (MP 86)
- Mabry Mill (MP 176)
- Moses H Cone Memorial Park (MP 294)
These three spots are the best maintained and each has hours worth of history to take in. Each of these locations are worth a special trip. When you read through the list pay particular attention to these locations.
Historic sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia
Most of the historic sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway are in Virginia. Normally North Carolina gets all the attention but, for once, Virginia get a win.
It isn’t that surprising once you realize the mountains in Virginia were less impenetrable than those found in Western North Carolina. It’s not for nothing that they call it the Old Dominion.
There is a mix of cabins, homes, and a few remnants of the infrastructure that once dotted the mountains.
Mountain Farm Outdoor Museum (MP 5.8)
Mountain Farm Outdoor Museum is just a few miles outside of the southern edge of Shenandoah National Park. The museum features several period log buildings, including a cabin, root cellar, and a spring house, amongst others.
The outdoor museum shows what life would have been like in the 1890s. These buildings weren’t originally built on the site, they were moved during parkway construction.
The cabins are along a gravel path that weaves between the structures. There is also a visitor center, a beautiful – but steep – hike up to Humpback Rocks, and a picnic area.
If you aren’t doing the hike you should plan on spending between 30 minutes to an hour exploring the houses and stopping by the visitor center.
The farm museum is only open during summer months between 10 am and 5 pm.
Yankee Horse Ridge Overlook Parking Area (MP 34.4)
Yankee Horse Ridge is a small overlook tucked into the cove of a mountain. There is also a very short hike that leads to Wigwam Falls.
Along the path to Wigwam Falls you cross over an old railroad bed. The railroad was once used by the Irish Creek Railroad. Small rail lines like this were frequently used to transport lumber through the mountains.
There is little track left, but it is worth visiting if you are in the area. The waterfall is small, at only 30 feet, and is more of a slide than a plunge.
James River Canal Area (MP 63.7)
The James River Canal Area is one of the lowest points on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a small canal lock along the James River that was part of a canal system that George Washington advocated for in the late 1700s.
The canal was used from the 1820s through 1870s to transport goods from the Atlantic to central Virginia.
To reach the canal you will leave from the visitor center parking area and cross over the James River, via a wide bridge. The short walk only takes a few minutes and the view over the James is quite pretty.
The lock is one of the less interesting spots to visit. The history of the lock is interesting, but the actual lock at this location is less so.
There is a large picnic area near the visitor center with enormous sycamores scattered around the picnic tables. If you visit the area you should also visit Otter Lake (MP 63). You’ll find a pretty manmade lake and manmade waterfall that spill into Otter Creek.
You can hike from the Otter Lake parking area to the James River along a mostly level trail. We have always found the walk along the creek to be relaxing.
Polly Wood’s Ordinary (MP 85.6)
Polly Wood’s Ordinary is an old log cabin that was once lodging for travelers passing through the Peaks of Otter area. From the 1830s through the 1850s it operated as an inn, or “Ordinary”. Ordinary is an archaic word that refers to meeting the needs of an ordinary traveler.
The cabin wasn’t originally in the current location, but it was nearby – less than 500 feet from where it sits. The cabin now rests near the shore of Abbott Lake.
Abbott Lake is a manmade lake, built in the 1960s, as part of the Peaks of Otter Lodge construction.
To reach the Polly Wood’s Ordinary you will need to walk along the paved path that rims Abbott Lake. The cabin is on the lodge side of the lake.
Johnson Family Farm (MP 86)
Johnson Family Farm is at the end of a short hike that leaves from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. The visitor center is on the opposite side of the Blue Ridge Parkway, not at the lodge and restaurant.
The hike passes through forest and field to reach a grassy hill where you can find the former homestead of the Johnson Family. The family took possession of the property in the early 1850s, but the land had been farmed for more than 80 years before.
The hike is close to two miles, with only moderate elevation gain at the end of the trail. Along the way you pass the land where Hotel Mons once stood. The hotel was once a popular stop for travelers but was eventually torn down by the National Park Service.
You can find old photos of the resort, but that is all that remains.
Volunteers regularly work the gardens at Johnson Farm and you they are extremely knowledgeable about the family and the community that once thrived in the shadow of the Peaks of Otter.
Bobletts Gap Overlook (MP 93.1)
Bobletts Gap Overlook is a small overlook tucked off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Most overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway are either pull-off or pull-throughs. Bobletts Gap is instead a small parking lot. Don’t bring large vehicles here, there is no pull through.
You can find a small cemetery rimmed by a split rail fence. The headstones are no longer in the cemetery, so you won’t see any names or dates. But the spot is another reminder of the people that once lived and worked the land high on the Appalachian ridges.
If you happen to stop at the overlook, there is a large outcropping of rocks that kids will enjoy climbing on and the view across the Blue Ridge Parkway faces out toward Peaks of Otter.
In this post we are focused just on the historic stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway, however, there is a small historic village at Explore Park that is connected by a spur road to the Blue Ridge Parkway. You may want to stop by Explore Park if you are traveling through the Roanoke area.
Trail Family Cabin (MP 154.5)
The Trail Cabin sits on the edge of an escarpment standing high over the piedmont at the Smart View Recreation Area. The small log cabin was once the home of Trail family and is typical of the type of home that would have been present in the Floyd, Virginia area in the mid 1700s.
The cabin is closed to visitors but there are wide gaps in the logs. Peering in, you can see the remains of a fireplace and debris on the floor.
One of the most impressive things about visiting the Trail Cabin is the view over the valley. Sunrise is the most beautiful time to visit Trail Cabin. The sun rises on the left side of the view facing out toward the Piedmont area.
There is also an easy 2.6 mile hike through the recreation area that connects to Smart View Overlook (MP 154.1). The section of the hike that follows the edge of the escarpment is a tour of stunning views.
There is a small parking lot near Trail Cabin you can park at as long as the area is open. In winter months the road through the Smart View Recreation Area is closed, but you can still hike the trail and reach the historic site.
Rakes Mill Pond (MP 162.4)
Rakes Mill was a grist mill that operated in the early 1800s. Owner and operator, Jarmon Rakes, allowed his customers to fish in his pond while he ground their flour.
The millhouse is gone, but you can still find the stacked stone spillway at the overlook. This is one of the less impressive historic stops. The overlook area is very small, but it is a quiet place where the small creek crashes over the spillway, making it pleasant to relax at for a few minutes.
Mabry Mill (MP 176)
Mabry Mill is the most popular historic stop in Virginia. The Mill is still in operation and until November 2023 you could eat at the restaurant and enjoy freshly milled grain. Unfortunately, the restaurant won’t be open in 2024.
There are several other structures at the Mabry Mill area. You can walk the entirety of the historic area in around 10 minutes. Along the way you will get to see a blacksmith shop, a couple period cabins, and can walk along the flume that brings water to the mill.
This is one of the best places to visit during peak fall colors. The trees that surround the pond beside the mill are perfectly reflected in the water on bright fall days.
From Memorial Day through October volunteers and rangers periodically perform demonstrations at the Mabry Mill area. You can find blacksmiths, basket weavers, or grist mill operators demonstrating period skills.
At milepost 180.5 you can find Mayberry Trading Post. The old-fashioned general store is a quick detour off the Blue Ridge Parkway and you can find hand-crafted items, tasty candies, books, and other locally made crafts.
Groundhog Mountain Picnic Area (MP 189)
Groundhog Mountain Picnic area has almost 30 picnic tables as well as a large wooden observation tower. The tower was built in the 1940s and used to monitor the mountains for fires and other dangers.
You can still climb the tower and look out over the mountains. The tower faces back toward Floyd, Virginia and can make out Buffalo Mountain in the distance. The picnic area is surrounded by a cross beam constructed fence.
Most of the historic sites are open as long as the Blue Ridge Parkway is open, however, this site closes in winter.
Puckett Cabin (MP 189.9)
Orlean Puckett was a midwife that was reported to have delivered more than 1000 babies without ever losing a mother or child. She was said to have started her midwifing career around the age of 50 and continued until she was 102 when she passed, making this feat even more impressive.
Despite her professional success, Orlean Puckett had a lot of personal tragedy – she had 24 children of her own that all died in infancy.
Puckett Cabin is a log cabin that stands on the land that that Orlean Puckett lived on until her passing in 1939. She didn’t actually live in the cabin named for her, instead she and her husband lived in a larger home.
The cabin was for Orlean’s sister-in-law, and was moved to the site preserving the memory of Orlean Puckett.
Now, a split rail fence flanks the cabin situated on a large grassy field and her tale is captured on an informational sign. The actual cabin isn’t the most impressive historical site on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but, in my opinion, Orlean Hawks Puckett is the most impressive person commemorated by the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Blue Ridge Music Center (MP 213)
Up until now, all the sites listed were historic homes or landmarks. The Blue Ridge Music Center is more of a cultural history. The music center is part museum and part event space. You can find old instruments and other relics of the origins of Appalachian Music.
There are two separate performance areas at the Blue Ridge Music Center. One is in the breezeway, just outside the museum and the other is at the outdoor amphitheater.
Performances begin in March and run through October each year.
Towering tree-lined mountains surround the amphitheater, creating a beautiful mountain oasis where the music from years past still resonates through these majestic peaks.
Historic Sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina
Most of the historic sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina are in the northern part of the state. You will find far fewer sites in North Carolina and those that do exist are mostly from a later period.
The terrain in the mountains of North Carolina is just more rugged than in Virginia.
Cumberland Knob (MP 217.5)
There are more than 70 cemeteries along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Moxley Cemetery is a well preserved cemetery at Cumberland Knob Recreation Area. The headstones are still legible and, if you like exploring cemeteries, this is a good stop.
The other thing to know about the area is that Cumberland Knob was where the start of the Blue Ridge Parkway Project began on September 11, 1935.
Brinegar Cabin (MP 238.5)
Brinegar Cabin is in Doughton Park in North Carolina. The cabin is a very well maintained cabin, built in 1885, and was the home of Martin and Caroline Brinegar. The couple had a large farm and there is still a root cellar and spring house standing near the cabin.
There is still a small garden near the parking area you can view. The cabin is a nice stop in one of the less visited areas on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
If you visit you can also make a stop at The Bluffs Restaurant. The Bluffs is a diner so you won’t need to make a reservation prior to visiting.
Jesse Brown Cabin and Cool Spring Baptist Church (MP 271.9)
Jesse Brown Cabin and Cool Spring Baptist Church are both in E.B. Jeffress Park. This area is most famous for the the Cascades waterfall, but it definitely isn’t the only awesome thing in the park.
When you visit, there are two ways to get to the log cabins. The first is at Tomkins Knob Overlook, where you will follow a 500 foot trail to the cabin area.
The second is to park at the Cascades parking area. If you park near the waterfall you will have to walk around half a mile to reach the cabin area, but the hiking is easy.
Do you love waterfalls? You can read more about the Cascades and many more waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are some you definitely don’t want to miss.
Flat Top Manor (MP 294)
Flat Top Manor is at Moses H Cone Memorial Park and is, by far, the most well maintained historic home on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The 23-room mansion was built in 1901 and has much more in common with modern homes than any other historic home on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The estate was donated to the National Park Service in 1949 and now has 25 miles of walking trails, multiple lakes, and ranger led tours of the home. This is one of the premier stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway and should be part of any visit to Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
Linn Cove Viaduct (MP 304)
The Linn Cove Viaduct was the final section of the Blue Ridge Parkway completed. It took 52 years to fully complete the scenic drive from Shenandoah National Park to The Great Smoky Mountains.
The serpentine bridge was a complex feat of engineering. You can find the most impressive view at Yonahlossee Overlook at milepost 302.8 or park at the Linn Cove Visitor Center at milepost 304.4 and walk a section of the Tanawha Trail that passes under the viaduct.
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (MP 384)
The Blue Ridge Parkway main visitor center is just outside of Asheville, North Carolina and it has a lot of historical information about the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can find information about the formation of the parkway as well as photography from these mountains dating back to the turn of the century.
When we visited there was a large photo showing loggers working on in the mountains. The photo looks like it was taken somewhere in California or the Pacific Northwest, not in the Blue Ridge.
Most of the forests in the Blue Ridge Mountains have been logged at this point and the American Chestnut that once dominated the forests is mostly extinct.
Seeing some of the pictures and reading through some of the exhibits gives a very different perspective on what people in the Blue Ridge saw in their time and what the mountains could be again in the years to come.
Qualla Indian Reservation (MP 458.9)
The Qualla Indian Reservation sits below Lickstone Ridge Overlook. An interpretive sign at the overlook tells part of the history of the Blue Ridge Mountains that is often overlooked.
The sign captures the historical perspective of the Cherokee people that lived in the Blue Ridge during and after colonization.
It is easy to think of the history of the Blue Ridge beginning with the arrival of Europeans, but that leaves out the mostly unrecorded multi-millennia history of the Indigenous Americans that made their lives in the shadow of these ancient mountains.
Admittedly, this is not a pleasant history, but it is definitely not any less important. Make sure you visit Cherokee, North Carolina so you can learn more about the culture of the Cherokee people.
One of the best places to stop by is the Museum of the Cherokee People. There are tons of artifacts and probably a lot of history you haven’t learned available at the museum.
No matter where you go on the Blue Ridge Parkway there is history. Finding a place to view an old log cabin or learn a bit about the people that walked the mountains before us is a great way to make your trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway just a little better.
While you are thinking about where to visit on your trip on the parkway you’ll probably also want to check out the best overlooks and best hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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