The state of North Carolina is home to over half of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s 469 total miles, and the mountain overlooks in NC are by far the most high-flying along the route.
In our experience, many of the best views on the Blue Ridge Parkway are found along the ridges of the Craggy Mountains, Great Balsams, and Black Mountains, which are the tallest in the eastern US.
That being said, many of North Carolina’s best Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks involve mountain lakes, the famous Linn Cove Viaduct (the last BRP section completed in 1983), and the Oconaluftee River.
There are plenty of other attractions on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC, but these Blue Ridge Parkway lookouts are really what driving the USA’s most popular scenic byway is all about.
As someone who has lived just a short hike away from the BRP for years, these are my favorite Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in NC for first-time visitors to put on their must-see list!
READ MORE: The 15 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hotels & Cabin Rentals in NC & VA
Looking for BRP accommodations in NC? Check out these hotels, resorts & cabins!
- Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Luxe hotel w/7 restaurants & lots of special events)
- Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds (25 cabins in 40-acre woodland next to the BRP)
- GLo Hotel Asheville-Blue Ridge Parkway (hip hotel w/breakfast & pool 2 mi from the BRP)
- Skyline Village Inn (between Asheville & Boone, mountain views, next to BRP)
- Linville Falls Lodge & 5 Cottages (next to Linville Gorge Wilderness area, no pets/ltd wifi)
- Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock (upscale resort w/spa, lake, restaurant & fly fishing)
- Meadowbrook Inn (boutique hotel in Blowing Rock w/pool, breakfast & garden)
Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in North Carolina
- Stone Mountain Overlook (Milepost 232.5)
- Thunder Hill Overlook (MP 290.4)
- Price Lake Overlook (MP 296.7)
- Rough Ridge Overlook (MP 302.8)
- Linn Cove Viaduct Overlook (MP 304.4)
- Beacon Heights Overlook (MP 305.2)
- Grandfather Mountain Overlook (MP 306.6)
- Chestoa View Overlook (MP 320.7)
- Black Mountains Overlook (MP 342.2)
- View Mt Mitchell (MP 349.9)
- Craggy Dome Overlook (MP 364.1)
- Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7)
- Mount Pisgah Overlook (MP 408.6)
- Looking Glass Rock Overlook (MP 417)
- Graveyard Fields (MP 418.8)
- Devil’s Courthouse Overlook (MP 422)
- Richland Balsam Overlook (MP 431.4)
- Cowee Mountains Overlook (MP 430)
- Waterrock Knob Visitor Center (MP 451.2)
- View Oconaluftee River (MP 468.4)
READ MORE: How to Plan an Amazing Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
1. Stone Mountain Overlook (Milepost 232.5)
Not to be confused with Stone Mountain Park in Georgia, the Stone Mountain Overlook is located near the VA/NC border, providing a distant view of the impressive 600-foot-tall Granite Dome.
Stone Mountain State Park is just 4 miles from my driveway, so I definitely have a bias for all things concerning the place. It’s like an extended backyard for me!
The view at the overlook is hardly a showcase of Stone Mountain in all its glory, but instead offers a panoramic vista of the Blue Ridge Mountains and NC Piedmont.
The NC state park is only about an 11-mile drive from the overlook, and I highly recommend a visit.
READ MORE: Stone Mountain NC: State Park Camping, Hiking & History
2. Thunder Hill Overlook (MP 290.4)
Located near the towns of Blowing Rock and Boone NC, the Thunder Hill Overlook has a 180º panorama that is simply awesome for taking in sunrises. It’s also great for viewing expansive night skies.
The parking area at Thunder Hill is large and accommodating enough for the crowds driving through.
This is one of the more popular Blue Ridge Parkway scenic overlooks in the NC High Country.
Features at the overlook include the possibility of seeing Charlotte quite a ways to the south, hiking a section of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail, and plenty of picturesque views.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Fall
3. Price Lake Overlook (MP 296.7)
Julian Price Memorial Park, the Julian Price Campground, and the Price Lake Overlook are some of our favorite places on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway.
It has great hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls, and loads of recreation opportunities on the lake.
The overlook is right next to the Price Lake Dam and beautifully showcases the 47-acre mountain lake. Just across the street is a beautiful picnic area, and the trailhead to Hebron Falls.
Price Lake is only a few miles from Downtown Blowing Rock, an amazing tourist town with plenty to do, restaurants to try, and places to stay.
READ MORE: Exploring Julian Price Memorial Park in Blowing Rock NC
4. Rough Ridge Overlook (MP 302.8)
In my experience, the Rough Ridge Trail (which is accessed via the Rough Ridge Overlook) is one of the best short hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
It’s 1.2 miles round-trip and connects to the Tanawha Trail, which is one of the longest on the BRP (13.5 miles).
This overlook has a spectacular forest with plenty of rhododendrons and ferns, as well as rock formations. The hike leads through the woodland to an open space with far-reaching views across the surrounding landscape.
Nearby attractions include Julian Price Memorial Park a few miles north, the Linn Cove Viaduct a couple of miles south, and Grandfather Mountain looming directly above.
READ MORE: Hiking Rough Ridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC
5. Linn Cove Viaduct Overlook (MP 304.4)
Construction of the Linn Cove Viaduct is one of the more amazing Blue Ridge Parkway stories, and remains a marvel of engineering ingenuity.
It was the last section completed, nearly 50 years after BRP construction began in 1935. Only half of the route was open in the 1950s, and the Linn Cove Viaduct didn’t open until 1987!
The Viaduct was constructed carefully from top to bottom in order to protect the fragile Grandfather Mountain terrain. It’s 1,243 feet long, has 153 segments that weigh 50 tons each, and cost around $10 million to make.
This BRP overlook is actually underneath the Viaduct, and provides a fascinating look up at it.
READ MORE: The Linn Cove Viaduct Trail, Visitor Center & History (BRP MP 304.4)
6. Beacon Heights Overlook (MP 305.2)
The official Beacon Heights Overlook on the BRP functions more as a parking area for the Beacon Heights Trail.
It’s a short, but notably steep (1,400 feet) trek to reach two sections of bare quartzite rock.
One bare patch has eastern views for sunrises, while the other is good for sunsets. The view includes several famous mountains, including Table Rock, Hawksbill, Grandmother Mountain, and Grandfather Mountain.
The Beacon Heights Overlook is also the southern terminus of the 13.5-mile Tanawha Trail, which leads from it to Julian Price Memorial Park.
READ MORE: A Detailed History of the Blue Ridge Parkway
7. Grandfather Mountain Overlook (MP 306.6)
Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak (5,939 feet) on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. This overlook offers a clear view of the mammoth mountain.
This mountain was originally named Tanawha (“fabulous hawk/eagle”) by the Cherokee people, but it was named Grandfather by early explorers, who saw an old man’s face in it.
Grandfather Mountain State Park is relatively new and still rugged, but it offers fantastic hiking all the way up to the summit of the mountain.
The Grandfather Mountain Nature Park & Swinging Bridge is another attraction (with an entrance fee required) that celebrates the 300-million-year-old mountain.
READ MORE: Why You Need to Visit the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (MP 384)
8. Chestoa View Overlook (MP 320.7)
More than just the average BRP overlook, Chestoa View Overlook has picnic tables, a short hiking trail, and a beautiful stone viewing platform.
This overlook is located about 4 miles south of Linville Falls, and looks out over the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area (“The Grand Canyon of North Carolina”).
It also provides nice vistas of Table Rock and Grandfather Mountain.
The hiking trail at the Chestoa View Overlook is a 0.6-mile loop with mild inclines and plenty of shade from the hardwood forest, including thickets of mountain laurel and large oak trees.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Restaurants in VA & NC
9. Black Mountains Overlook (MP 342.2)
The Black Mountains are the tallest mountain range east of the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Six of the 10 highest peaks in the Eastern US are here, and the Black Mountains Overlook offers a view of the entire range.
Mount Mitchell (the tallest) looms large at 6,684 feet. There are 18 other peaks topping 6,300 feet, towering over the valley created by WNC’s South Toe River.
This BRP overlook faces westward, so it’s a great one to earmark for sunset viewing. Some suspect that the shadows cast by the mountains are the reason behind their name.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Western North Carolina Mountains For Hiking
10. View Mt Mitchell (MP 349.9)
The highest peak in the Eastern US rises nearly 2,000 feet above this overlook, which is located at an elevation of 4,821 feet.
Our favorite spot to see Mount Mitchell is around the lookout identification sign.
Mount Mitchell State Park is just under 5 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and it has a nature museum, trails, a campground, and a restaurant.
It is possible to drive nearly to the summit of the mountain, and there’s a fantastic picnic area by the parking lot!
READ MORE: Camping & Hiking in Mt Mitchell State Park in Burnsville NC
11. Craggy Dome Overlook (MP 364.1)
Craggy Dome Overlook is one in a series of “Craggy” attractions, and all of them are spectacular. This overlook offers a view of a round mountain peak that rises from the parking area.
The overlook is also where the Craggy Pinnacle Trail begins, offering a 1-mile loop to scenic views at the summit.
This is a real show-stopper, with a 360º panorama of the surrounding landscape. In my opinion, it’s arguably the best view on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway.
Craggy Gardens Recreation Area is also nearby, and is home to an amazing collection of gnarly trees and hiking trails through them.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes for NC Day Trips
12. Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7)
Located just north of Asheville, the Tanbark Ridge Overlook has a wide-angle view that makes for absolutely spectacular sunrises. It’s also very highly regarded for nighttime stargazing.
The name “Tanbark” comes from the tannery that was once located along the ridge.
Tanneries were known to be foul-smelling, so the remote location was ideal. Plus, there were resources like oak bark and breezes to blow the smell of putrid carcasses away.
Mountains easily visible from this overlook include High Swan, High Knob, and Lane Pinnacle.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in Virginia
13. Mount Pisgah Overlook (MP 408.6)
The attractions around Mount Pisgah are among my favorite along the Blue Ridge Parkway. They include a stellar campground, a historic roadside hotel, and the Mount Pisgah picnic area.
Mount Pisgah Overlook offers wonderful views of the mountain, which is also the most noteworthy feature of the skyline south of Asheville.
It’s possible to hike to the summit of Mount Pisgah on a 3.2-mile round-trip trail, but note that there are some steep sections and loose rocks along the way.
At the top, you’ll find an observation tower from which you can get an impressive overview of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains landscapes.
READ MORE: Exploring the Mt Pisgah Campground in Canton NC
14. Looking Glass Rock Overlook (MP 417)
Looking Glass Rock is a massive exposed rock face that protrudes up and out of the Pisgah National Forest.
This mountain gets its name from the shine that it gets after ice or rain covers its surface.
Its iconic rock face has been used as a landmark by travelers for centuries, and it remains visible from many BRP overlooks in this area.
The official Looking Glass Rock Overlook has lots of parking, and plenty of space for picnicking.
READ MORE: Visiting the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center
15. Graveyard Fields (MP 418.8)
This is one of the most popular places on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but more as a hiking destination than a quick-stop overlook.
Graveyard Fields is a mile-high valley, with some impressive waterfalls and beautiful rolling hills scattered throughout.
The popular hiking trail is accessed at the Graveyard Fields Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but the property it traverses is overseen by Pisgah National Forest.
Note that parking here can be a problem, particularly on weekends. A visit might require an early start, or a lot of patience, as the NPS warns visitors not to attempt parking outside of the designated spaces.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls in North Carolina
16. Devil’s Courthouse Overlook (MP 422)
Jutting up from a high altitude spruce forest, Devil’s Courthouse is an imposing hunk of rock that reaches some 5,720 feet in elevation.
Cherokee legend suggests that a mountain giant once danced and held court in the caverns beneath the rock.
Nowadays, visitors can take a challenging half-mile climb to the top to catch an amazing view that reaches into four states– North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia.
The Devil’s Courthouse is also home to some special species of flora and fauna, including peregrine falcons that nest on the rock face.
READ MORE: 40 Fascinating Facts About The Blue Ridge Parkway
17. Richland Balsam Overlook (MP 431.4)
At 6,053 feet, this is the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and it offers magnificent vistas of the Nantahala National Forest below.
The name Richland Balsam derives from two trees that are prominent at this altitude, the Fraser fir (which are commonly used as Christmas trees) and the red spruce, a.k.a. “she-balsam” and “he-balsam”.
Unfortunately, Fraser fir trees have suffered serious losses in recent years due to the woolly adelgid.
There is a 1.3-mile round-trip trail at this BRP overlook that leads to the actual mountain summit, which is about 400 feet higher!
READ MORE: Camping in Nantahala National Forest (Campgrounds & Backcountry)
18. Cowee Mountains Overlook (MP 430)
Less than half a mile north of the Richland Balsam Overlook, the Cowee Mountains Overlook is 5,950 feet above sea level and opens up to the southeast, making it a great spot for watching the sunrise.
This overlook is also a popular place for picnics and landscape photography.
It offers an unobstructed 180º panorama of the Cowee Mountains, and on a clear day the jaw-dropping view is an endless sea of mountain peaks rippling across the landscape.
In our opinion, this overlook is in the running for one of the most spectacular Blue Ridge Parkway lookouts in North Carolina.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in NC & VA
19. Waterrock Knob Visitor Center (MP 451.2)
The Waterrock Knob Visitor Center is the highest on the BRP, standing at 5,820 feet in altitude. Views from the stop involve several mountain chains in the Appalachian Mountains.
Waterrock Knob has an official park store for souvenirs, and rangers are available to answer any questions you may have about your BRP road trip.
There’s also a 1.2-mile round-trip trail to the 6,273-foot summit of Waterrock Knob, which has a 360º viewing area that makes it great for watching sunrises and sunsets.
We HIGHLY recommend dressing warm, because the temperatures at the summit really drop when it’s dark.
READ MORE: 30 Fascinating Facts About the Appalachian Mountains for Trivia Buffs
20. View Oconaluftee River (MP 468.4)
The official View Oconaluftee River overlook doesn’t offer year-round views of the river, because foliage from trees and shrubs often blocks it.
Those in the know enjoy Oconaluftee River views from the bridge, just before reaching the BRP entrance.
This is also one of the top places in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to spot the reintroduced Elk that are thriving in Cherokee NC. The herd frequents this area, and we’ve seen them on every visit!
Note: Even though the overlook doesn’t have views of the river, it does have an impressive mountain panorama that’s well worth a stop. –by Jonathon Engels; lead image by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett
