1353 Woods Gap Rd. SE Cozy and quaint vacation rental.

08/13/2022

The Blue Ridge Parkway, often called "America's Favorite Drive," is beautiful, but requires extra care while driving. Some of the wonderful things to observe along the way include the mountains, trees, wildflowers, the graceful curves... and the speed limit, which is strictly enforced for your safety.

- Steep Grades
In some places, the parkway has steeper grades than normally. Without paying close attention, your speed can increase far more than you expect.

- Unforgiving Road Shoulders
The parkway's road shoulders are narrow in places. This may require some extra attention.

- Built-in Distractions
Wildlife, bicyclists, wildflowers, and extraordinary views… every traveler should be aware of these while enjoying the drive. Take advantage of the more than 250 overlooks to safely enjoy the views.

- Limited Sight Distances
The parkway was designed with gentle curves and not many straight sections. This is part of what makes the road seem to lie gently on the land but it also requires some extra care while driving.

- Speed Limit Changes
The parkway speed limit is typically 45 mph, but occasionally it will drop to 25 mph or 35 mph.

- Decreasing Radius Curves
Most highways have curves with a standard radius that never changes. In other words, you do not have to adjust your steering through the curve. A decreasing radius curve may tighten as you go through it. This is a design feature of the parkway that requires some extra care, especially on motorcycles.

- Driving Large Recreational Vehicles
Large RVs are popular means of travel on the parkway, but be advised that going up or down steep grades can be slow. Pull over often to let faster moving traffic get by. You may want to check the heights of the parkway's twenty-six tunnels (mostly south of Asheville) to ensure that your rig will negotiate all of them. https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/tunnel-heights.htm

Image Harold Blackwood

05/26/2022

Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds, picnic areas, and visitor centers open with full services for the 2022 visitor season this weekend, and National Park Service managers want to take the opportunity to remind visitors that their actions while recreating along the Parkway can help them and other park visitors have a safe and memorable visit.

“We depend on park visitors to plan ahead by checking road status ahead of their trip, learning operating schedules for facilities they hope to visit, and reserving campsites well ahead of time,” said Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout. “Visitors should also be patient and flexible as popular park locations may be full during peak weekends throughout the summer and fall. We encourage you to have alternatives in mind if parking lots or trails are full, or facilities are closed when they arrive at their parkway destinations.”

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the largest designed landscapes in the country, providing visitors with a wide variety of opportunities to experience southern Appalachian nature, history, and culture. The park’s drive-a-while, stop-a-while design enhances the experience; and whether at milepost 0 or 469, driving the scenic route, hiking a trail or taking in a concert or ranger program, Parkway officials remind visitors to have a plan and recreate responsibly.

Information about road projects and other important planning tips can be found in the full news release here: https://www.nps.gov/blri/learn/news/2022-season.htm

NPS Image: P Hamel

05/20/2022

Join us at the Floyd Country Store Tonight at 6:30pm for the Friday Night Jamboree! This week’s guests include:

6:30 The Farleys
7:30 Twin Creeks Stringband
9:00 Twin Creeks Stringband

General admission tickets are available at the door every Friday at 4:45pm before the Jamboree. General admission tickets are not available in advance and seating is not guaranteed. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 7-12. Kids 6 and under are free.

05/18/2022

☀️Heads up☀️ This Friday May 20th is looking to be a BEAUTIFUL day for the river! Bookings must be made at least 12hrs in advance, so get yours set now! Book online 👉🏼OnTheWaterInFloyd.com

📸: Victoria L 💙

05/18/2022

Dan is 68 going on 69 years old and our most active Buffalo Mountain Zipline tour guide (pictured doing a pre-tour safety orientation for guests.) He is having a blast and showing that we older folks still got game. We are looking for folks 16 years of age or older that are in good physical condition, love to zipline and meet new people, and available for part time work. Visit www.BuffaloMountainZiplines.com/employment to find out more.

05/13/2022

Buffalo Mountain Ziplines Is Hiring Buffalo Mountain Zipline Guides Starting pay is $15/hr plus tips which translates to an average of $25/hr; average tips are often higher during peak season. Must be able to participate in mandatory new guide training, May 31st to June 2nd for summer employment. To...

11/22/2021

"How beautifully leaves grow old! How full of light and color are their last days!" – John Burroughs

As fall color gives way to the soft, blue ridges of winter we are grateful to be reminded of the beauty that surrounds us in all of the seasons on the Parkway.

11/13/2021

November reminds us that trees are still beautiful when they lose their leaves. Due to the changing elevation along the Parkway, some areas are still seeing fall colors, while others have already shed their leaves in preparation for winter. In fact, some parts of the Parkway have already had their first snow of the season! If you plan on visiting during the cold weather months, check out our "Winter Recreation" page for helpful information, and as always, be sure to check our Road Closures page before your trip!

https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/winter-recreation.htm

Photo by Seasonal Ranger, Roy McCullough

11/05/2021

11/02/2021

As the Parkway's 2021 visitor season wraps up, we want to send a special thank you to the park's incredible seasonal employees! The Parkway could not operate without the passion and dedication that each and every one of the seasonal staff brings to this park. Seasonal employees support nearly every operation of the park, and expand our capacity to meet the NPS mission by welcoming and educating visitors, protecting our resources, and helping keep the park looking beautiful. Be sure to drop a "thank you" in the comments to show your appreciation too!

This photo of Rockfish Valley Overlook was taken by our very own seasonal ranger, Roy McCullough.