Blue Ridge Parkway

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Overview

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway operated, and overseen, by the United States National Park Service.

The central part of it, the actual parkway itself, is approximately 469 miles long beginning near the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and ending in Western North Carolina at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Elevations of the Parkway range from just over 600 feet to more than 6000 feet above sea level.

A visitor could experience such a wide range of trees, bushes, plants, wildlife, birds, and fish as to defy description.

It “IS” a true nature lover’s paradise. Read on to find out more.

Birds

Notable Species

When you’re talking about an area that’s 460+ miles long, running through 2 states and rising and falling through close to 6000 feet of elevation above sea level throughout its length along with the eco-systems that go with something like that, it’s impossible to list the notable species of birds a birder could encounter.

So, let’s do it this way using data from eBird. At the northernmost end of this Parkway at milepost 0, in the area of Shenandoah, the Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle were the two most reported species.

About a fourth of the way down at milepost 115, in Roanoke County, Virginia, the top two reported species were the Common Grackle and European Starling. At around the mid-point, milepost 230, we come to an area called Glade Valley, North Carolina. Birders in, and around Glade Valley, which is in Alleghany County, North Carolina most reported the Broad-winged Hawk and Chimney Swift.

Three-fourths of the way down near milepost 345, you’ll arrive in the area of the Singecat Ridge Overlook near Marion in Yancey County, North Carolina where the 2 most reported species of birds were the Swainson's Thrush and Red-winged Blackbird.

Coming to the end, in the area of milepost 469, you will find yourself in the area of Cherokee, North Carolina, and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Cherokee’s most reported species were the Tree Swallow and American Crow.

These are just the most reported species in 4 roughly equally spaced places along the length of this expansive and wonderfully natural place. Think of all the others you might see. Now that’s notable!

Rarities

Just as it is impossible to pin down notable species in a 469-mile long area, it’s equally so when it comes down to rarities in that same area. So let’s visit the same areas we did for the notable species and see what has been seldom seen there.

Leading off with Shenandoah, Virginia, milepost 0, the Summer Tanager and Yellow-throated Warbler have seldom shown up.

In Roanoke County, Virginia, milepost 115, the Summer Tanager and Wilson’s Warbler fit the bill. Coming to Glade Valley, Alleghany County North Carolina, milepost 230, again is found the Summer Tanager and Wilson’s Warbler.

Looking at the Singecat Ridge Overlook area, milepost 345, in Yancey County, North Carolina the Orange-crowned Warbler and Kirtland's Warbler are way down the list. Finishing up this journey south on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Cherokee, North Carolina area, milepost 469, the Summer Tanager is listed again, as is the Kentucky Warbler.

Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

' ' Again trying to list species for such a wide-ranging area, let’s consider some possibles for sighting to be the Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, European Starling, Broad-winged Hawk, Chimney Swift, Swainson’s Thrush, Tree Swallow, and American Crow to be on the list for sure. Adding to that a wide variety of other thrushes, warblers and others you begin to have an increasing list. And to make this just a tad more interesting, the Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle have both been reported in varying amounts in the areas along the whole length of the Parkway. There is a vast potential for birders here. May you find that one special bird.

Other Wildlife

Of course, birds and birding is the first thought of someone visiting Opus on Bird Forum, but it’s usually a safe bet a great number of folks so doing are, to other extents, noticeably interested in the other forms of wildlife that may be present and/or encountered while pursuing that next species of bird. So, let’s take a look at some other wildlife that’s known to be here.

The first thing people often think of when the Blue Ridge Parkway and associated mountains, and areas of Western North Carolina come to mind is the Black Bear, and rightfully so. They are present, but as a general rule are not hazards to people. They tend to not bother people. Just do not come between a momma bear and her cubs. If you do, all bets are likely to be off. Admire from a distance, take pictures, don’t feed them, and you’ll be fine.

Elk have been reintroduced into the western part of the state and are said to be thriving. You may get to see them, but that’s not assured. A wolf species called the Red Wolf is present, as are wild turkeys, wild boar, deer, and numerous invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals.

Site Information

History and Use

The concept of the Blue Ridge Parkway originated in the early 1930’s, was constructed over time, often as a component of various public works projects. It was then, and is now, a constantly evolving place, even to this day. But one thing has always been constant. The Parkway has always been an exceptional exhibition of nature, its magnitude, its variety, and humankind’s interaction with it. The sheer magnitude of it can leave you with a profound sense of awe. It is well and truly an experience you won’t forget. And you will find yourself wanting more of it over time.

It’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year through all seasons. You can avail yourself of just a small amount, or all of it, or somewhere in between, depending on your personal desire. What you can see will change depending on the season of the year and the weather, which does change, on the day you happen to be there.

Use by commercial vehicles is prohibited. Consult official online resources, such as the National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway website for specifics.