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Favorite Blogs about The Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway in the Spring
Many of my posts come from questions from my clients. I have been receiving
a lot of questions about the Blue Ridge Parkway. Below is some general
information about the Parkway in the Spring. I will be posting again about the
Parkway in late Spring in a series of posts about Day Trips from Nelson County.
For complete information about the Parkway, check out
www.BlueRidgeParkway.org. This is a great website with much information.
If you are planning a summer vacation to the Blue Ridge Mountains, this web site
can help you plan many days of adventure.
The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the Appalachian Mountains and follows through
Nelson County. One personal comment is that I never advise visitors to drive on
the Parkway at night. Since there are no street lights, it is very dark and
some areas do not have cell phone coverage. Population is very sparse. It is
very easy to miss a turn if needing to exit, etc. Along the Parkway, each mile
is marked with a “mile-marker”. The first marker at the zero milepost is at
Rockfish Gap, immediately south of the Shenandoah National Park. So, if you are
joining the Parkway from Nelson County, you are starting near the beginning of
the Parkway in the low mile marker numbers.
The Parkway makes for an interesting drive in Spring as you can watch the
trees, wildflowers and wildlife awake for another season. More than 100 types
of birds can be seen during the Spring migration season. Many trees will have
showy blooms in Virginia, starting in April. One of my favorite areas of the
Parkway in Virginia is the Otter Creek area. (more in my blog in April about
this area) In mid-May in the Otter Creek area, you can see another one of my
favorites, the Mountain Laurel blooms.
Here is a brief guide to seeing Spring wildflowers on the Parkway near Nelson
County:
Buttercups are common along the side of the road and Tulip Poplar are common
in low woods
Golden Groundsel can be found at mile marker 29.1 in April and May
Rhododendron can be found at mile marker 4 in April and May and Phlox in May
Redbud can be found between markers 54-68
False Soloman’s Seal can be found along the roadside
The Virginia Dogwood can be found at marker 6 in May
Check out the web site for a complete guide to Spring wildflowers along the
Blue Ridge Parkway.
Bike Riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway
After last week’s post on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I
received several questions about riding bicycles on the Parkway. Yes, you can
ride bicycles on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Below are two Parkway day rides:
Blue Ridge Parkway Loops
Enjoy views from any of several scenic overlooks along the parkway. The 22-mile
ride begins at Royal Oaks Cabins in Love (Milepost 16) and goes south to Tye
River Gap and back. For the 40-mile ride described in the cue sheet below, begin
at the same point, but head north to Milepost 0 at Afton Mountain. At this
point, take the optional loop through the small hamlet of Afton, home of the
legendary Cookie Lady, a weary cyclist's best friend.
0.0 - R Route 814
0.2 - L Blue Ridge Parkway (scenic overlooks into Shenandoah and Rockfish
Valleys)
16.2 - L on exit to reach Route 250 East
16.3 - R Route 250 East (Rockfish Gap Tourist Information, long downhill,
country store)
19.1 - R Route 750 (Bike Centennial's Route 76)
20.9 - R Route 6 in Afton (home of the legendary Cookie Lady on your right, just
across railroad bridge) Head back up Route 6
22.3 - L Route 250 (watch traffic)
23.5 - R on ramp to Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park
23.6 - L on Blue Ridge Parkway
39.6 - R Route 814
39.8 - Return to Royal Oaks
For Mountain Bikes:
0.0 - From milepost 16 Blue Ridge Parkway - cross the Parkway onto Route 814
Right onto Route 56 to North Fork - follow it back to the Parkway
Right onto the Parkway back to milepost 16
Both of these routes are from the
Nelson County Visitor’s Center, and I will be posting additional routes in
coming months.
Camping in Nelson County & Along Blue Ridge Parkway
Crabtree Falls Campground: This campground is just
off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and is near Crabtree Falls. (Check out my other
blogs for more information about the Blue Ridge Parkway) The campground is also
on the Tye River, which adds to the ambiance. There are options for tent, RV or
cabin camping. There is also a camp store, a heated bath house, washer and
dryers and a rec room. This campground is open year-round. We suggest
reservations by calling 540-377-2066.
Montebello Camping and Fishing Resort: This resort
is very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and offers many amenities for the entire
family. (on RT. 56, just 3.5 miles from the Parkway) They have everything from
tent camping to full hook-up. Cabins are also available for rental year-round.
They have fishing, swimming in a 4 acre lake, paddle boating and hiking on the
nearby Appalachian Trail. Call 540-377-2650 for information and reservations.
Otter Creek Campground: Not in Nelson County but a
quick drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is directly on the Blue Ridge
Parkway at mile post 60.8. I want to mention this campground as I spent many
long weekends in this campground as a kid, and it is still one of my favorite.
It has tent camping as well as RV hookups. (45 tent and 24 RV sites) There is
hiking, lakes, scenic drives and many other family activities. The entire
campground is shaded and along Otter Creek. There is a nice restaurant at this
location that serves some amazing buttermilk pancakes with blueberries. (when
in season) Dogs are allowed, with no additional pet fee. This campground is
open from early May through the Fall. Call for additional information:
434-299 5941
Tomorrow’s blog will be about
some great deals in Wintergreen Resort for Spring visits. For additional
information about Nelson County or Wintergreen Resort, visit
www.ExperienceNelsonCounty.com
Exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through Nelson County. The
Parkway has milepost markers at each mile along the drive. Many of the
activities are described by the milepost markers. Today, we are going to
explore the Parkway from milepost 5.8 to milepost 8.8.
Humpback Rocks at milepost 5.8 includes a replica of
an Appalachian mountain farm. European settlers came to the Blue Ridge
Mountains and settled near Humpback Rocks. Many self-sufficient farms sprang up
in this area. Today, visitors can see a collection of 19th Century
farm buildings that were moved to this park. The park is open year-round with
the buildings open in the Summer months. The area also has a visitor’s center.
The visitor’s center has a small museum that shows life in
the 19th and early 20th centuries in the mountains of
Nelson County. This is a location that the whole family will find interesting.
During the Summer months, park rangers dress in period clothing and demonstrate
period crafts and skills.
There is a picnic area with 91 sites at milepost
8.5. Tables are scattered around nearby overlooks.
Hiking Trails: At milepost 6.0, you have the choice
of an easy trail or a strenuous trail hike up Humpback Mountain. There is also
access to the Appalachian Trail at this milepost. At milepost 8.8, there is a
self-guided nature trail at the Greenstone Parking Overlook.
Make sure that you visit the Blue Ridge Parkway when in
Nelson County. I hope to see you there…
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