The Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville: easy stops for families

Oct 4th, 2026 · Asheville area guide

Top photo: Alex Smith on Unsplash

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, and some of its most beautiful stretches are right outside Asheville. For a big group, it's one of the easiest outings in the area: no tickets, no reservations, and plenty of short walks that work for grandparents and kids alike. This guide covers the best stops near Asheville and how to plan the day.

Before you go: check the Parkway status

Sections of the Parkway close from time to time for weather, especially snow and ice in winter, and for roadwork. Check the National Park Service's Blue Ridge Parkway road status page the morning you go.

Heading north: Craggy Gardens

Craggy Gardens is about 35 minutes north of downtown Asheville, near Milepost 364, and it's the classic family stop.

• Craggy Pinnacle Trail is a short, popular climb to 360-degree views. Plan about an hour round trip with kids.
• Craggy Gardens Trail is an easy walk through rhododendron tunnels to a picnic area. In June, the rhododendrons bloom pink and purple.
• The visitor center has restrooms and rangers who can tell you what's open.

Pack layers. The elevation here is much higher than Asheville, and it's often 10 or more degrees cooler and windy.

Near town: the Folk Art Center and the Arboretum

If your group includes people who'd rather not do switchbacks, stay close to town.

• The Folk Art Center sits right on the Parkway in east Asheville, with galleries of regional crafts and frequent demonstrations.
• The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center nearby has exhibits and a short film about the Parkway.
• The North Carolina Arboretum, just off the Parkway south of town, has gardens, easy trails and play space for kids.

Heading south: Mount Pisgah and Graveyard Fields

South of Asheville, the Parkway climbs toward Mount Pisgah and Graveyard Fields.

• Mount Pisgah has a steeper trail to the summit for the hikers in your group, and the overlooks along the way are worth the drive on their own.
• Graveyard Fields, near Milepost 418, is a popular area with waterfalls. Families with younger kids usually stick to the shorter walk to the lower falls.

These areas fill up on fall weekends, so go early.

Fall color on the Parkway

Fall is the Parkway's busiest season. Color starts at the highest elevations in early October and works its way down into the valleys through late October. That means you can often find peak color somewhere near Asheville for several weeks: high on the Parkway early in the season, and closer to town later.

What a beautiful home! It had everything you could ask for. We will definitely stay here again the next time we visit Asheville.

Airbnb guest, stayed at The Donovan

How to plan a Parkway day with a big group

• Take fewer cars. Overlook parking is limited. Two or three cars are much easier than six.
• Pick one main stop. Craggy Gardens or Mount Pisgah, plus a few overlooks on the way. Trying to do both is a long day.
• Pack a picnic. Food options on the Parkway are very limited.
• Fill up on gas first. There are no gas stations on the Parkway itself.
• Head back for dinner. The Donovan is about 15 minutes from the Parkway, with a big kitchen, an outdoor grill and a long table for the whole group.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Blue Ridge Parkway open year-round?

Most of it is, but sections close for snow and ice in winter and occasionally for roadwork. Check the National Park Service road status page before you go.

Does the Blue Ridge Parkway cost anything?

No. There's no entrance fee for the Parkway.

When is fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville?

Color usually starts at the highest elevations in early October and moves down into the valleys through late October.

What's the best Blue Ridge Parkway stop near Asheville for kids?

Craggy Gardens is a favorite, with short trails, big views and a visitor center. The Folk Art Center and North Carolina Arboretum are easier options close to town.

Plan your trip

See our guides to things to do in Asheville with kids and Biltmore with a big group, or our full Asheville area guide. Book The Donovan directly with us to skip the booking-site service fees.

Written by Megan and VladWe own and manage Remington Retreats's five homes ourselves, and we've been visiting these areas with our two girls for years.