There’s a wealth of beautiful things to see while driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. But the 200+ scenic mountain overlooks found along the way are the main attractions for most road trippers.
That being said, stopping at all (or even most) of these overlooks while driving the 469-mile scenic route can be overwhelming. We know, because we’ve done it multiple times!
In order to simplify things, we’ve divided the world-renowned route into two states, Virginia and North Carolina, and compiled lists of the must-see Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks in each one.
Read on for our can’t-miss Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in Virginia, which meanders some 200 miles from the northern terminus at Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive south to the North Carolina border.
Each listing includes a photo, the BRP Milepost, a description of the view there, and details on any hiking trails or other attractions worth exploring.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hotels & Cabin Rentals in NC & VA
Blue Ridge Parkway Accommodations in Virginia
- Afton Mountain Inn (historic farmhouse turned boutique hotel w/pool)
- Restored 1800s Buchanan Log Cabin (charming 2 bd cabin getaway- no service in the area)
- Shirley’s Bed & Breakfast (top rated Roanoke B&B w/delicious breakfast)
- Bent Mountain Lodge (pet-friendly B&B south of Roanoke w/views)
- Hotel Floyd (Sustainable DT hotel close to BRP & Crooked Road Music Trail)
- Moonlight Manor Bed & Breakfast (Floyd B&B w/picturesque views, good breakfast)
Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in Virginia Guide
- Afton Overlook (MP 0.2)
- Rockfish Valley Parking Overlook (Milepost 1.5)
- Rock Point Overlook (Milepost 10.4)
- Ravens Roost Overlook (Milepost 10.7)
- 20-Minute Cliff (Milepost 19)
- Chimney Rock Mountain Overlook (Milepost 44.9)
- Otter Lake Overlook (Milepost 63.1)
- Thunder Ridge Overlook (Milepost 74.7)
- Apple Orchard Mountain Overview (MP 76.5)
- Peaks of Otter (Milepost 86.0)
- Pine Tree Overlook (Milepost 95.2)
- The Great Valley Overlook (Milepost 99.6)
- Quarry Overlook (Milepost 100.9)
- N&W Railroad Overlook (Milepost 106.9)
- Mill Mountain Overlook (Milepost 120.3)
- Devil’s Backbone Overlook (Milepost 143.9)
- Rakes Mill Pond (Milepost 162.4)
- Saddle Overlook (Milepost 168)
- Mabry Mill (Milepost 176.1)
- Groundhog Meadow Overlook (Milepost 189)
READ MORE: How to Plan an Amazing Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
1. Afton Overlook (MP 0.2)
Located near the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway, just 9 miles from Wintergreen Resort, the Afton Overlook provides a tasty appetizer for what’s in store.
Standing at an elevation of 1,895 feet, it offers a view of the valley more than 1,000 feet below.
This BRP overlook is named for the Virginia mountain town of Afton. It’s also near the trailhead for the Claudius Crozet-designed Blue Ridge Tunnel, which makes for unique hiking.
The Afton Overlook is regarded as a fantastic place to enjoy sunrises and early morning light. In our experience, it’s a perfect place to start a day of traveling the Parkway!
READ MORE: Hiking the Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail Near Waynesboro VA
2. Rockfish Valley Parking Overlook (MP 1.5)
Not even two miles into your BRP drive, the Rockfish Valley Parking Overlook provides a highly regarded panoramic vista of the Rockfish Valley.
This valley was once settled by the Tuscarora, a Native American tribe that lived along the river for hundreds of years.
The tribe’s name translates to “hemp gatherers.” Decimated by colonial diseases, the remaining members of the tribe moved north to join the Iroquois Confederation.
Standing at 2,148 feet of elevation, this overlook provides an amazing view of Fall foliage every Autumn.
READ MORE: A Detailed History of the Blue Ridge Parkway
3. Rock Point Overlook (MP 10.4)
The colorful rock formation of Catoctin Greenstone is what gives this unique BRP overlook its name.
This geological formation, which has a green-ish hue, stretches through the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.
Sitting at an elevation of 3,115 feet, Rock Point Overlook has huge vistas of Back Creek Valley and Torrey Ridge, with wildflowers adding pops of color in Spring and early Summer.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Restaurants in VA & NC
4. Ravens Roost Overlook (MP 10.7)
Offering one of the best views on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Ravens Roost Overlook provides a magnificent, elevated (3,200 ft) panorama of the valley some 1,800 feet below.
This Blue Ridge Parkway lookout is beloved for its interesting rock formations and photogenic sunsets.
There’s a single evergreen tree at the edge of the rock ledge that provides an iconic character for photos.
Ravens Roost is also a popular rock-climbing destination, with a short walk to a nearby rock ledge that is actually ideal for roosting ravens!
READ MORE: The 20 Best Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Fall
5. 20-Minute Cliff Overlook (MP 19)
This gorgeous overlook gets its name from the cliff’s interaction with the sun.
During June and July in the small town of White Rock VA, the sun hits the rock face approximately 20 minutes before it drops down behind the mountains.
In our opinion, this is one of the best overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway because it faces southwest, making it a sensational spot for sunset photos.
It also has beautiful Virginia wildflowers in Spring, and the light here makes it a great spot for a BRP picnic throughout the year.
READ MORE: 10 Must-Visit Blue Ridge Mountain Resorts
6. Chimney Rock Mountain Overlook (MP 44.9)
Not to be confused with the iconic Chimney Rock in North Carolina, this overlook towers over Buena Vista VA, with a nice view of Apple Orchard Mountain and down into the Shenandoah Valley.
The main westward view from the Chimney Rock Mountain Overlook overlook has long since been overgrown.
But on the very southern end of the viewing area, there’s a great shot of a line of mountain peaks.
Winter sunsets here are spectacular. But in the Summer they’re blocked by the ridge and trees to the west.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Virginia Mountain Resorts
7. Otter Lake Overlook (MP 63.1)
One of the lowest spots along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Otter Lake Overlook is a departure from the high-flying expansive views.
Instead, this spot has Otter Creek, which is held back by a stone dam to create Otter Lake, a small but picturesque Virginia mountain lake lined with trees and full of trout.
The lake has a one-mile hiking trail around it, and is connected to the James River Visitor Center, which offers canal locks and stunning river views.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Small Towns in Virginia to Visit
8. Thunder Ridge Overlook (MP 74.7)
This is one of the most popular Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks in Virginia.
It sits above Arnold Valley, and the view includes Thunder Ridge and the James River Face Wilderness Areas.
The Thunder Ridge Overlook is also a stop along the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. For a shorter stroll, there’s a 0.1-mile loop trail around a rocky outcrop.
There’s a picnic table here for enjoying a meal with a view. But longer vehicles should probably skip stopping here, because the lot is a bit small for turning around.
READ MORE: 15 Great Romantic Getaways in Virginia for Couples
9. Apple Orchard Mountain Overview (MP 76.5)
Apple Orchard Mountain is the highest point on Virginia’s BRP, measuring 4,222 feet at its summit.
Despite what its name may suggest, there aren’t actually any apples here. Due to the elevation, the trees here are all gnarly and twisted, much like apple trees.
Another feature to check out if you hike to the top is the FAA radar dome, which acted as an early warning system during the Cold War!
A few miles down the road, there’s also a 3.5-mile hike to the 200-foot Apple Orchard Mountain Falls.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Bedford VA (BRP MP 85.6–90.9)
10. Peaks of Otter (MP 86.0)
Home to one of just 3 hotels on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Peaks of Otter has been a popular travel destination for well over a century now. Three iconic mountain peaks surround the area.
The stop includes Abbott Lake, the historic Peaks of Otter Lodge and restaurant, as well as top-flight hiking trails ranging from easy paved strolls to challenging mountain summits.
Though strenuous, the Sharp Top Mountain trail is the most popular hike here. There’s also a daily shuttle to the top for those who are unable (or unwilling) to hike it.
There are also several other attractions here, including Johnson’s Orchard/Peaks of Otter Winery, Polly Wood’s Ordinary, a picnic area, campgrounds, and a Visitor Center/Gift Shop.
READ MORE: The 13 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds to Visit
11. Pine Tree Overlook (MP 95.2)
Though it has only a small parking lot and very little media attention, the Pine Tree Overlook is definitely an underrated Blue Ridge Parkway lookout.
The viewpoint is named for the fine specimen of a pine tree located near the viewing space. But, further afield, viewers can also find stunning valleys and mountain peaks.
Upper Goose Creek Valley separates the Pine Tree Overlook from the Peaks of Otter, and both Sharp Top and Flat Top Mountains make for a fantastic horizon.
This spot is especially awesome at sunrise, because the sun comes up from behind those impressive summits!
READ MORE: The 10 Best National Parks in Virginia
12. The Great Valley Overlook (MP 99.6)
Stretching from Alabama north to Quebec, the Great Valley functioned as a passable route from North to South for centuries.
Here, the Blue Ridge Mountains mellow out into rolling hills and provide an amazing lookout (even if it is often a bit overgrown).
But Virginia’s section of the Great Valley also has long, narrow ridges that reach up to 3,000-4,000 feet!
This is a beautiful place to stop and take photos of the valley, which neighbors the Parkway for quite a while.
READ MORE: 30 Fun Facts About Appalachian Scots-Irish History & Culture
13. Quarry Overlook (MP 100.9)
Exciting BRP overlooks don’t have to just center around natural beauty.
The Quarry Overlook is such a place, and it’s a humbling thing to see.
This is the largest open-faced granite quarry in the world. It has been in operation for over 100 years now, and has supplied building materials for myriad structures across the USA.
As a stark symbol of how mankind’s “progress” impacts nature, the quarry cuts a bare rock scar through the lush forest surrounding it.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Staunton VA
14. N&W Railroad Overlook (MP 106.9)
Another departure from the pure natural beauty of most Blue Ridge Parkway scenery, the N&W Railroad Overlook is focused on a railway line from the mid-1800s.
The Norfolk & Western Railway was headquartered in Roanoke, and went by nicknames such as “King Coal” and “the British Railway of America.”
This line used to link Bristol VA/TN to Lynchburg VA. But in 1986, it merged with Southern Railway to form the Norfolk Southern Railway.
Today, the lush valley to the west has farmhouses and barns that create a pastoral view of classic Americana.
READ MORE: 20 Things to Do in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
15. Mill Mountain Overlook (MP 120.3)
In our opinion, the best stop for access to Roanoke VA from the Blue Ridge Parkway is a the Mill Mountain Overlook. There are great looks over the city, and tons more to enjoy.
Mill Mountain is home to the famed Roanoke Star, and visitors can stand at the base of the well-know landmark and look at Downtown Roanoke from this spot.
Standing 88.5 feet tall and weighing 60,000 pounds, it’s the largest free-standing, illuminated star on Earth.
Mill Mountain is also home to attractions like the Mill Mountain Discovery Center and Mill Mountain Zoo, which make it a worthy place to linger during your BRP road trip.
READ MORE: The 8 Best Breweries in Roanoke VA, the Heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge
16. Devil’s Backbone Overlook (MP 143.9)
Another contender for the best scenic views on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Devil’s Backbone Overlook provides an expansive panorama across Blackwater Valley to the distant mountains.
The valley below has colorful swaths of forests in Autumn.
It’s spotted and dotted with green pastures that make it an interesting juxtaposition between development and wilderness.
This overlook faces east, so it’s possible to watch the sunrise from it. But the afternoon also offers nice lighting for taking high-quality photos.
READ MORE: Fall in Shenandoah National Park: 10 Places to See Fall Foliage
17. Rakes Mill Pond (MP 162.4)
Like most Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks, the Rakes Mill Pond Overlook has killer views of mountains and valleys afar, as well as opportunities to appreciate natural beauty up close.
The bonus here is that wildlife abounds around the little body of water, which once fed a grist mill.
Virginia birds of prey are frequent stop-ins here, and you may even see resident beavers working on their dams and lodges.
Additionally, there are several nice hiking trails start near this overlook, and picnic areas nearby offer leisurely breaks from the scenic drive.
READ MORE: 30 Facts About Mennonite History, Culture & Amish Connections
18. Saddle Overlook (MP 168)
This BRP overlook is awesome for avid birders to visit, or those who simply appreciate spotting an unidentified avian species (or 12).
There’s a short trail from the lookout to an open field, which is frequented by hawks and other birds of prey. Bald Eagles and American Kestrels are often seen there, too.
The field has impressive stands of wildflowers, including milkweed and asters, which attract a number of notable butterflies.
This overlook is near Floyd VA, a must-stop town for those interested in the traditional music scene.
READ MORE: Exploring the Crooked Road, Virginia’s Appalachian Music Trail
19. Mabry Mill (MP 176.1)
Though this isn’t as much an overlook as a must-see attraction, Mabry Mill is one of the best (and most photographed) stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.
The views here are simply amazing, with rhododendrons in Spring and vivid colors in Fall. And after a long day of driving, it’s a perfect place to get out and stretch the legs for a half-hour or more.
Mabry Mill is a retired grist mill with an attached sawmill/carpentry shop and other old buildings to tour. It’s also got a cool channel system that keeps the mill wheel turning.
Additionally, Mabry Mill is home to a nice gift shop and a rare Blue Ridge Parkway restaurant, so it’s worth marking for a full-on rest stop.
READ MORE: Virginia Fall Foliage: The 15 Best Places to See Fall Colors in VA
20. Groundhog Meadow Overlook (MP 189)
Not far from the Virginia-North Carolina state line, the Groundhog Meadow Overlook has a lovely open area for picnicking.
It also has split rail fencing to give it atmosphere, and long-distance vistas that always wow visitors.
Widely ranked among the most picturesque overlooks on the BRP, Groundhog Meadow has an old wooden tower that was once used by the Virginia Forest Service as a lookout tower.
There are also other structures around that demonstrate early pioneer life in the area. -by Jonathon Engels; featured image by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett
