NC High Country Fall Road Trip
Fall is in full swing in the NC High Country, and we’re excited to welcome you! Enjoy events, music, and football against the extraordinary colorful backdrop…
Fall is in full swing in the NC High Country, and we’re excited to welcome you! Enjoy events, music, and football against the extraordinary colorful backdrop…
The North Carolina High Country is in full Summer Swing with attractions, events, and live music everywhere you turn. Enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock, Boone, and Banner Elk on this 50 mile scenic loop!
A 20-mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway opened yesterday, October 23, from Milepost 285 to Milepost 305. This includes many people’s favorite spots such as Beacon Heights, Rough Ridge, and Price Lake. Color on this section of Parkway is varied depending on location.
Cross Country Skiing enthusiasts have been coming to the mountains for years to enjoy the snow and hone their skill. The Carriage Trails at Moses Memorial Cone Park in Blowing Rock offer 25 miles of trails that are wide and well maintained year-round.
(Updated March 11, 2026) The Blue Ridge Parkway is getting some much-needed repairs in 2026! We are excited to see these improvements being completed this year, which will ensure enjoyable use and safe access to the Parkway for many years to come. See the project announcement from the Blue Ridge Parkway here. See the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Road Status & Closures page here. Here’s what you need to know when visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock this year! When will construction be taking place? Work on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock begins in mid-March of 2026 and is expected to be complete in the fall of 2026. Will the Blue Ridge Parkway be closed for construction near Blowing Rock? Yes, closures will occur in staggered sections. Detours will be used so you can still access your favorite Blue Ridge Parkway attractions and features throughout the project. Which attractions or trailheads will still be accessible? Cone Memorial Park, Price Lake, Rough Ridge parking, and Linn Cove trailhead parking will have uninterrupted access- from either the north or the south- throughout all phases of the project. Attractions and trailheads are marked by the nodes on the project map (see below). Alternating closures will be set between nodes. Price Lake Boat Rentals will reopen on April 3; see website for hours and details. Price Lake Campground is set to open May 22; reservations available at recreation.gov. The Southern Highland Craft Guild Shop at Moses Cone Manor will reopen on April 15. See hours on the Guild’s website. After an initial 3-4 week closure in March and early April, the Boone Fork Parking Area (Milepost 299.9, used as trailhead for some Grandfather State Park trails) will also be accessible from at least one direction like the others. What sections are currently closed? Beginning the week of March 16 the sections listed below will be closed. For reference, Blowing Rock is located around milepost 294. See these sections marked in red on the maps below. Milepost 291.9 at Highway 321 in Blowing Rock to milepost 294 at Cone Manor. (Step 1A) Milepost 298.6 at Holloway Mountain Road to milepost 302.8 at Rough Ridge Overlook. (Step 1A) Milepost 280.9 at Old 421 in Deep Gap to milepost 285 at Bamboo Road. (Step 1B) Which sections will be open or closed during my visit? Active closure sections will be noted on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Road Status & Closures page. Check the closures page often. Information on upcoming sections or section order has not been shared at this time. A signed detour route, along with a system of signs on secondary roads, will direct visitors from the main detour route to attractions along this corridor. All active detour maps can be found here. For information about specific trail open/closed status along the Parkway, click here. Can I still access closed sections on foot or by bike? No. Within active closures, all activity is prohibited for cars, bicycles and hikers to ensure the safety of Parkway visitors and staff. Heavy equipment and workers will regularly be moving through the project area. Why is this work happening now? This is the final phase of work on a $100M+ project, spanning 75 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The project includes repaving and rehabilitation along the mainline motor road, as well as repairs to road drainage structures, curbs, walks, shoulders, guardrails, overlooks and signage. Funding for this project comes from the Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund. Learn more about this funding and project here. Additional work to repair damage from Helene at Linville Falls and Parkway sections further south is also expected to be completed this year. Learn more about Helene Recovery Projects on the Blue Ridge Parkway here.
The High Country’s beautiful streams, lakes, and rivers provide wildlife sanctuaries and many recreational opportunities- like fishing! The best times of year to fish for trout here in in the High Country are the spring, fall, and winter months, when the water temperature is between 45° and 65°. Our waters offer excellent opportunities for catching brown, brook, and rainbow trout.
Come to Blowing Rock and indulge in a mountain getaway! Take in the natural beauty of the High Country, experience local arts, shopping, and decadent dining options. This itinerary outlines 2.5 days of relaxation and recreation for couples or friends alike.
Lots of people ask about when the rhododendrons bloom, and that depends on species, elevation, and local climate. The Rosebay, also known as the white rhododendron, is a prominent rhododendron along the Blowing Rock areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The blooms vary from white to very pale pink/purple and typically begin to bloom in mid- to late-June in this area. Best viewing usually continues into mid July. This is later than the Catawba Rhododendron, the bright pink species found in masses at nearby Roan Mountain. Peak bloom for Roan Mountain is usually around mid-June. The darker, sometimes near-fuschia, blooms of the hybrid rhoddies in downtown Blowing Rock and in nearby parks and gardens peak in May. The Rosebay Rhododendron puts on a pretty show in Blowing Rock. The pale clouds of rhododendron along the local section of the Blue Ridge Parkway will be beckoning you to pull over. “Stop and smell the roses,” right? Where to see blooms: The blooms will be opening up into early July. There are many of these plants all over the Blowing Rock area. Price Park is an excellent location to see large collections of the shrub, and the sheer number of blooms during peak is stunning. Take a hike around the lake on the Lake Trail to get a real immersion into the rhoddie growth, or rent a canoe from the docks and enjoy the blooms from the water. The amphitheater is a nice spot to sit and enjoy, as rhododendron growth surrounds the seating. Also in Price Park, the Green Knob Trail offers a walk through a blooming tunnel when you access the trail by the Sims Creek Bridge. More Rosebay Rhododendron shrubs heavily line the Mountains To Sea Trail near Goshen Creek on the Blue Ridge Parkway (about 5 miles north from Blowing Rock). Many trails on the Parkway wind through thickets of this plant as well, so you can hike almost anywhere to enjoy some blooms. Cone Memorial Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway is also a great spot, along the Cone carriage trails or by Flat Top Manor. Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 285 to milepost 300 for gorgeous displays of the flower during peak bloom. The roadway winds between walls of the shrub in some spots and it’s simply breathtaking to drive alongside the flowers! In late June, mountain laurel is still showing clumps of white and pink blooms, though most spots of laurel are past peak. Though rhoddies are of interest to many visitors, there is always something to see, from flame azaleas in May to asters in September. For a full list of wildflower blooms along the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit the Bloom Schedule page on BlueRidgeParkway.org.
Instead of leaving your dog behind when you go on vacation, bring your four-legged family member to beautiful Blowing Rock! Below, we’ve outlined a great one night adventure of activities and sights that are perfect for you and your pet. Morning -Start your day off by taking a hike on one of our Blue Ridge Parkway trails! Many of our great hikes are located on the Parkway, including Moses Cone Carriage Trails, Price Lake Loop Trail, and more! If you’re looking for something serene and relaxing, you can check out the Price Lake Loop Trail. This easy 2.7-mile loop circles the beautiful 47-acre Price Lake. It is a great short hike for you and your pup to explore. Note that for all trails on the parkway, dogs should remain on a leash. Afternoon -To refuel your system after the hike, head over to one of our fantastic pet friendly restaurants. Many of our restaurants offer great outdoor seating and they love for pets to stop by. If you need ideas for places to eat with you and your pet, visit our pet friendly dining page. -Next, take a stroll around downtown Blowing Rock. Downtown Blowing Rock is very pet friendly and we love seeing dogs on Main Street! Our store owners love dogs and many of our shops have dog bowls sitting outside to make sure you pet stays hydrated while you’re walking around. Evening -Finally head over to one of dog friendly breweries for a beer and some food! We’re lucky here in North Carolina to have some amazing breweries take scene in recent years. Both Blowing Rock Ale House here in town, or Appalachian Mountain Brewery in Boone have great outdoor seating and are very dog friendly! -After a long day, head back to one of our dog friendly lodging locations. We have many hotels that allow pets to stay with you during your vacation up here! Or if you decide to rent a home for a longer stay, there are many rental groups that will accommodate your pup! Click here to visit our pet friendly lodging page. The Next Day -On your next day, wake up and and grab some coffee over at Camp Coffee on Main Street! They have a wonderful selection of locally roasted and organic coffees as well as great pastries to start your morning out right. You can also go to Blowing Rock Market for a quick breakfast with outdoor seating! -Before you make that trip back home, head over to see the Blowing Rock itself with your pup! The Blowing Rock is an immense cliff 4,000 feet above sea level. It promises breathtaking views of our surrounding mountains that will give you something to talk about to all your friends and family. Enjoy the scenic views from the observation tower and their wonderful gardens. Visible from “The Rock” are Hawksbill Mountain, Table Rock, Grandfather Mountain, and Mount Mitchell. The Blowing Rock welcomes you and your pet to explore the magical views, as long as they are on a leash and it is not during a special event. Need more ideas? -Broyhill Park- Just behind downtown Blowing Rock is Broyhill Park. You and your dog can explore the gazebo and a walking trail through beautiful gardens.-Wineries around the area– We have awesome wineries that are very dog friendly around the area! Sip on some wine and enjoy the views with your dog by your side.-Boone’s Greenway– Located in Boone, the Greenway is a great trail that is a very popular spot for dogs.-Grandfather Mountain– Did you know that you can also bring your pooch to see the famous swinging bridge and great views of Grandfather Mountain? Dogs are more than welcome but must be on a leash. Want to see more dog friendly ideas in Blowing Rock? visit https://blowingrock.com/dogs/
Nestled off the Blue Ridge Parkway, only 16 minutes or 10.7 miles from downtown Blowing Rock is the Rough Ridge Lookout. Rough Ridge is just off mile marker 303 on Tanawha Trail and accessible via a wooden walkway. It offers sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is truly a treasure in the area and needs to be protected. Due to visitors leaving the trail for photos, wildlife is being trampled and destroyed at an alarming rate. In response to this the Blue Ridge Parkway is recruiting Rough Ridge Rovers. A Rough Ridge Rover is a volunteer who will educate visitors on how to recreate responsibly for their own safety and the safety of the natural plant species, some of which are in peril of extinction. Healthy Trampled Direction Sign Broken Boardwalk The National Park Service released this on their website: “The National Park Service is actively recruiting interested volunteers for a new program based along the Rough Ridge area of the Tanawha Trail, near milepost 303 in the vicinity of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The goal of this new volunteer role is to educate park visitors about recreating responsibly for their own safety, as well as that of globally rare species found in this area. The rocky outcrops at Rough Ridge are home to critically imperiled plant species that are commonly trampled by park visitors who venture into closed areas for photos and views.Rough Ridge Rover volunteers will be asked to spend a minimum of one, 3–4-hour shift per week on the trail through the busy summer and fall season talking to park visitors, answering questions, and serving as an important on-site presence. Ideal volunteers should enjoy working with people, have a basic knowledge of Appalachian plants, animals, and the park itself, and feel comfortable working independently on-trail, away from their vehicle for several hours at a time. Volunteers will be provided with training, a volunteer uniform, and all equipment needed to complete their roving assignment successfully. Interested volunteers can learn more and apply at volunteer.gov or contact the park’s volunteer office. Support for this program comes from the Parkway’s philanthropic partner, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.”