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Home » Thunder Ridge Overlook: A quick stop with a huge beautiful view

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Thunder Ridge Overlook: A quick stop with a huge beautiful view

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Thunder Ridge Overlook is a one of the best overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia to take in beautiful views. Not only is it one of the best sunset spots, Thunder Ridge is amazing any time of day.

Thunder Ridge is an overlook at milepost 74.7 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The overlook at Thunder Ridge provides a view of the Thunder Ridge Wilderness and James River Face Wilderness in Virginia.

It’s one of the best quick stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.

The View at Thunder Ridge Overlook

The view over the mountainous area reveals one of the larger wilderness areas in Virginia.

James River Face Wilderness is also the oldest in the Commonwealth. When I looked into this, I was surprised to see that it was only set aside as a wilderness area in 1975.

A rocky wall leads to a series of stone stairs looking over a mountainous area at Thunder Ridge Overlook. Above a lightly clouded blue sky stretches to the horizon where the blue mountains meet the sky.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

The daytime view at the overlook is great, but if you can get to the overlook at sunset you’ll get a real treat.

A stone overlook is under pink and gold clouds at sunset and the fading blue sky above Thunder Ridge Overlook.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

We love watching sunset from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Thunder Ridge is one of the best spots to catch the fading lights.

The fading golden sunlight bleeds into the still blue sky over blue gray mountains seen from the stone viewing area at Thunder Ridge Overlook.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits For sunset the view from the viewing platform is better than the trail.

You can find beautiful views from the viewing platform or from the short hike that loops around the parking lot. The walking trail is very short and only takes a couple minutes to walk.

The overlook parking area is fairly narrow and not suitable for large vehicles, sorry RV roadtrippers. If you want a similar view of the mountains you can go to View Arnold Valley Overlook (Milepost 76). It’s the next overlook south on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Hiking at Thunder Ridge Overlook

A sign with the words "Thunder Ridge pedestrian overlook 10 minute loop trail" inscribed on it with an arrow pointing to the right. Behind there is a thin forest.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

A sign in the parking lot promises a 10 minute walk to complete the loop at Thunder Ridge. In reality the short trail at the overlook only takes a couple minutes. You can access the trail from the left side of the parking lot or from the overlook platform.

Two trails split and a sign with "parking" written on it with an arrow pointing left. Thin trails lead left and straight.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

The short section of the trail you walk on is a tiny piece of the Appalachian Trail. You can extend your hike by going further on the Appalachian Trail.

Heading North a four mile section from Thunder Ridge Overlook travels to Petites Gap. This section cuts through the Thunder Ridge Wilderness. That four miles is one way, so unless you are hiking back bring a friend and another car.

A rocky trail with a white blaze painted on it leads toward the Thunder Ridge Overlook viewing area.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits The length of the trail around Thunder Ridge is short enough to be a “leg stretcher” but don’t expect a flat path

Heading South the Appalachian Trail crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway twice and climbs to Apple Orchard Mountain and sits near a radar station that looks like a golf ball sitting on a gold tee. It’s one of the stranger things on the Blue Ridge Parkway and is a relic of the Cold War era. You can find some cool pictures of the structure here. The round trip for this hike is 5.5 miles.

You don’t need to head out into the wilderness to explore at the overlook. There is a series of boulders near the stone viewing platform. We usually climb around on these with our kids.

A curly haired boy is squats placing one hand on a boulder and the other stretches behind him. Barren trees and a blue sky are behind him.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

Best time to visit

Sunset is the best time to stop at Thunder Ridge for the views. Even during winter this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is usually open. Still, you want to check the parkway closure list. When you check, the section you are looking for are 66.3 – 76.4 (VA Route 501 to Apple Orchard Parking Area).

At sunrise the morning light will be at your back. It’s still very pretty but there are better spots to visit if you are looking for the best sunrise spots.

Thunder Ridge Overlook viewing area at sunrise. Purple and orange light meet in the dawn sky. Pink light reflects off the mountain ridge in the distance.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits Sunrise is nice but sunset is best

During fall the hardwood forests that surround the overlook take on bright colors. The overlook sits at around 3500 feet and changes color sooner than much of the surrounding area.

High winds are common on this part of the Blue Ridge Parkway so your window to see the colors is limited before winter claims the high forests.

This is one of the best stops north of Peaks of Otter and one you shouldn’t skip if you are traveling on the parkway. Even if you just need to take a couple minutes and stretch you legs.

Looking for more awesome spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway? Check out our complete guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway or our list of the best overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway.


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