Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
Overview
Experience the beautiful southeast along the Blue Ridge Parkway! Cruise from the edge of the Great Smokies National Park to Shenandoah on this scenic highway bathed in blue mist. Snap photos from jaw-dropping overlooks, spot incredible wildlife, and uncover fascinating history and legends of the Cherokee as you drive. This self-guided driving tour reveals the parkway’s best sites and the hidden history behind it all!
Begin your tour in Cherokee, Asheville, Roanoke, or Afton and drive in either direction.
Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!
After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.
This is not an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
No expiration — The tour comes with lifetime validity!
Begin your tour in Cherokee, Asheville, Roanoke, or Afton and drive in either direction.
Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!
After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.
This is not an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
No expiration — The tour comes with lifetime validity!
Inclusions
- App on your phone: A link to download the Tour Guide App by Action and Password for your tours.
- Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Travel over multiple days or on next trip. Never expires.
- Good value: Buy just one per car. Don’t pay for each person. Save money compared to a bus tour.
- Easy to use: Stories play automatically by GPS. Hands-free. Get HELP all day: Call, Chat, or Email.
- Private tour in your/rental car: No group. Take breaks for photos/ snacks/hikes. Go at your own pace
- Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
- Don’t miss a thing: Full itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated, videos, text, hidden gems.
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Blue Ridge Parkway, NC
As we drive along the parkway, you'll notice spots on the road where you can pull your vehicle to the side. These overlooks are designed to spotlight the mountains' most scenic vistas. There are over 200 of them along the whole Blue Ridge Parkway!
Each one features a large wooden sign that lists the name of the mountain or ridge you're looking at, and your current elevation. It's nice to give a little personal touch to the otherwise anonymous and similar-looking mountains that you drive through.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Oconaluftee Visitor Center Parking C, 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, North Carolina 28719, USA
Welcome to the Blue Ridge Parkway! The scenic drive follows the iconic Blue Ridge–– that's what we call the eastern side of the Appalachian mountains. As you drive through scenic vistas of majestic mountains, we'll learn about the native Cherokee, the pioneer settlers, and Appalachian culture today. When you’re ready, exit the Visitor Center parking lot and turn left onto the main road.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Ballhoot Scar Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA
If you look out at the ridge beyond, you'll notice a blemish on the landscape, where it looks like the surface of the mountain was scraped off. The scar resembles the aftermath of a landslide. And it kind of was a landslide…. a man-made one.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Blue Ridge Parkway, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Cherokee, NC, USA
This land was once home to the Cherokee. No one knows exactly how long they lived here, but archaeologists have found artifacts dating back 11, 000 years!
The Cherokee refer to themselves as "Aniyunwiya, " or "the principled people." But when Spanish explorers arrived, they recorded the name as "Chalakee" instead
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Thomas Divide Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA
Folks have reported seeing ghost lights–– dancing white orbs that have no known explanation. These reports aren’t new either. Some locals recall family stories of the lights that date back to the 1700s! At night, you may find dozens of cars parked along the side of the road, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious mountain lights.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Big Witch Overlook, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA
Big Witch was the name of a Cherokee medicine man. But Big Witch didn’t just mix poultices and perform rituals. He was also an eagle hunter! You might be thinking, what kind of doctor kills birds in his line of work? You see, eagle feathers were considered sacred, and they were necessary for healing ceremonies
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Bunches Bald Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Maggie Valley, NC 28751, USA
The Appalachian mountains are generally covered in trees from base to peak, but a few mountaintops look more like a grassy prairie than a dense forest. These patches are known as Appalachian Balds, and Bunches Bald is one of them.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Plott Balsam Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Maggie Valley, NC 28751, USA
The Plott name is still famous in the Appalachian region, but you’ll never guess why!
Henry Plott's family immigrated here from Germany in the late 1700s. They decided to settle in the Blue Ridge Mountains with their children… and five German hunting hounds.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Soco Gap, North Carolina 28751, USA
In the early 1700s, the Cherokee were at war. Not with the encroaching settlers, but with another tribe, the Shawnee. The two tribes were naturally separated by the Blue Ridge Mountain range, which kept them apart… most of the time
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Thunder Struck Ridge Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Maggie Valley, NC 28751, USA
As this overlook faces directly to the west, it's a great place to watch the sunset. If you manage to get the timing just right, you're certain to be "thunderstruck" by the brilliant orange sky above the foggy blue mountains.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Waterrock Knob, MP 451 Blue Ridge Parkway, Maggie Valley, NC
This is Blue Ridge Parkway's tallest visitor's center! Located at 5, 820 feet in elevation, this location is known for its stunning long-range views of several major Appalachian mountain chains.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Yellow Face Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Sylva, NC 28779, USA
This overlook perhaps gives you the best view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Yellow Face Mountain is clearly visible. Beyond it, you can see rows and rows of subsequent ridges, each one fading into the characteristic mist of the Blue Ridge.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Cherokee Rose, 720 stalk Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719
From the Trail of Tears emerged the legend of the Cherokee Rose. The flower, in full bloom, features a cluster of snow-white petals surrounding a yellow center. In the story, each petal represents a band of the Cherokee nation, and in the center lies the gold for which their nation was torn apart. In order to access that gold, the white settlers had torn off all the petals.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Roy Taylor Forest Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Waynesville, NC 28786, USA
This scenic turnout features a little wooden observation deck so you can get a more immersive view of Blue Ridge.
It might seem hard to believe now, but this robust forest was once in serious danger!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Cowee Mountain Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, USA
This is where you'll find 180-degree views from one of the highest spots on the parkway. Definitely have your camera ready for this panoramic vista!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Rough Butt Bald Overlook, North Carolina 28783, USA
It's not just a joke, it's a topographical term! Check out the view. You can see how the mountain ridge seems to suddenly break. In geology, a butt is a ridge that comes to an abrupt end and appears broken off, like the butt of a cigarette.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Cathedral Falls And French Broad Falls, 902-912, State Rd 1374, Balsam Grove, NC 28708, USA
A half-mile walking trail leads over three wooden bridges toward an abandoned historical mill. The wooden mill sits right at the bottom of Mill Shoals. Across the river, there's yet another waterfall: French Broad Falls. This marks the intersection between the French Broad River and Shoal Creek, and it's pretty as a picture.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Black Balsam Knob, North Carolina 28716, USA
Black Balsam Knob is one of Blue Ridge's most popular hikes for a reason. It's got a little of everything that makes the Appalachians special, from dense forests to the wide-open meadows and mountaintop vistas.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Skinny Dip Falls Trailhead, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, USA
Skinny Dip Falls, swimming is not only tolerated–– it's encouraged! This destination features both a waterfall and a swimming hole. You can climb right up the boulders to the top of the waterfall, making this a favorite spot for energetic kids and athletic adults.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Cherry Cove Overlook, North Carolina 28716, USA
Tons and tons of black cherry trees! In the early fall, thousands of birds are attracted by the ripe fruit on these trees.
From here, you might also be able to see Looking Glass Rock. You can easily recognize it by the flat rock face that stands out against all the green trees. It's even more obvious after a rainfall: when the sheer cliff face is wet, it reflects the sun like a gigantic mirror
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower, Canton, NC 28716, USA
The background behind the name is lost to time, but a couple of legends remain. Some say it's because of a pan-shaped freshwater spring; others say the spot was marked by a frying pan hanging from a tree.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Pisgah Inn, 408 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, USA
Pisgah Inn is a great place to stop for a moment. The inn features a public cafe, a gift shop of local artisan crafts, and a country store for all your Parkway travel necessities. But the REAL reason to visit Pisgah Inn is the view.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Mount Pisgah, Mt Pisgah, North Carolina 28716, USA
For a great hike and overlook, take a right just ahead and find a spot to park. This leads to the Mount Pisgah Trailhead.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Mills River Valley Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Candler, NC 28715, USA
At Mills River, you can actually get a good view of the mountains from BOTH sides of the Parkway. Chestnut Ridge is to the west, and Big Ridge is to the east. This 360-degree panoramic scope fully immerses you in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Bad Fork Valley Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Arden, NC 28704, USA
Down in the valley below, you'll see the meandering creek of Bad Fork. It's covered by laurel blossoms and surrounded by hardwood forests.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: French Broad Overlook, 3938 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Arden, NC 28704, USA
French Broad River is unique for a few reasons. First, it's believed to be one of the oldest rivers in the entire world, at 250 million years old. Second, it's one of the ONLY rivers in the country that flows to the north rather than south.
Duration: 5 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Blue Ridge Parkway, NC
As we drive along the parkway, you'll notice spots on the road where you can pull your vehicle to the side. These overlooks are designed to spotlight the mountains' most scenic vistas. There are over 200 of them along the whole Blue Ridge Parkway!
Each one features a large wooden sign that lists the name of the mountain or ridge you're looking at, and your current elevation. It's nice to give a little personal touch to the otherwise anonymous and similar-looking mountains that you drive through.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Oconaluftee Visitor Center Parking C, 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, North Carolina 28719, USA
Welcome to the Blue Ridge Parkway! The scenic drive follows the iconic Blue Ridge–– that's what we call the eastern side of the Appalachian mountains. As you drive through scenic vistas of majestic mountains, we'll learn about the native Cherokee, the pioneer settlers, and Appalachian culture today. When you’re ready, exit the Visitor Center parking lot and turn left onto the main road.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Ballhoot Scar Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA
If you look out at the ridge beyond, you'll notice a blemish on the landscape, where it looks like the surface of the mountain was scraped off. The scar resembles the aftermath of a landslide. And it kind of was a landslide…. a man-made one.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Blue Ridge Parkway, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Cherokee, NC, USA
This land was once home to the Cherokee. No one knows exactly how long they lived here, but archaeologists have found artifacts dating back 11, 000 years!
The Cherokee refer to themselves as "Aniyunwiya, " or "the principled people." But when Spanish explorers arrived, they recorded the name as "Chalakee" instead
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Thomas Divide Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA
Folks have reported seeing ghost lights–– dancing white orbs that have no known explanation. These reports aren’t new either. Some locals recall family stories of the lights that date back to the 1700s! At night, you may find dozens of cars parked along the side of the road, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious mountain lights.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Big Witch Overlook, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA
Big Witch was the name of a Cherokee medicine man. But Big Witch didn’t just mix poultices and perform rituals. He was also an eagle hunter! You might be thinking, what kind of doctor kills birds in his line of work? You see, eagle feathers were considered sacred, and they were necessary for healing ceremonies
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Bunches Bald Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Maggie Valley, NC 28751, USA
The Appalachian mountains are generally covered in trees from base to peak, but a few mountaintops look more like a grassy prairie than a dense forest. These patches are known as Appalachian Balds, and Bunches Bald is one of them.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Plott Balsam Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Maggie Valley, NC 28751, USA
The Plott name is still famous in the Appalachian region, but you’ll never guess why!
Henry Plott's family immigrated here from Germany in the late 1700s. They decided to settle in the Blue Ridge Mountains with their children… and five German hunting hounds.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Soco Gap, North Carolina 28751, USA
In the early 1700s, the Cherokee were at war. Not with the encroaching settlers, but with another tribe, the Shawnee. The two tribes were naturally separated by the Blue Ridge Mountain range, which kept them apart… most of the time
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Thunder Struck Ridge Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Maggie Valley, NC 28751, USA
As this overlook faces directly to the west, it's a great place to watch the sunset. If you manage to get the timing just right, you're certain to be "thunderstruck" by the brilliant orange sky above the foggy blue mountains.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Waterrock Knob, MP 451 Blue Ridge Parkway, Maggie Valley, NC
This is Blue Ridge Parkway's tallest visitor's center! Located at 5, 820 feet in elevation, this location is known for its stunning long-range views of several major Appalachian mountain chains.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Yellow Face Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Sylva, NC 28779, USA
This overlook perhaps gives you the best view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Yellow Face Mountain is clearly visible. Beyond it, you can see rows and rows of subsequent ridges, each one fading into the characteristic mist of the Blue Ridge.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Cherokee Rose, 720 stalk Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719
From the Trail of Tears emerged the legend of the Cherokee Rose. The flower, in full bloom, features a cluster of snow-white petals surrounding a yellow center. In the story, each petal represents a band of the Cherokee nation, and in the center lies the gold for which their nation was torn apart. In order to access that gold, the white settlers had torn off all the petals.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Roy Taylor Forest Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Waynesville, NC 28786, USA
This scenic turnout features a little wooden observation deck so you can get a more immersive view of Blue Ridge.
It might seem hard to believe now, but this robust forest was once in serious danger!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Cowee Mountain Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, USA
This is where you'll find 180-degree views from one of the highest spots on the parkway. Definitely have your camera ready for this panoramic vista!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Rough Butt Bald Overlook, North Carolina 28783, USA
It's not just a joke, it's a topographical term! Check out the view. You can see how the mountain ridge seems to suddenly break. In geology, a butt is a ridge that comes to an abrupt end and appears broken off, like the butt of a cigarette.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Cathedral Falls And French Broad Falls, 902-912, State Rd 1374, Balsam Grove, NC 28708, USA
A half-mile walking trail leads over three wooden bridges toward an abandoned historical mill. The wooden mill sits right at the bottom of Mill Shoals. Across the river, there's yet another waterfall: French Broad Falls. This marks the intersection between the French Broad River and Shoal Creek, and it's pretty as a picture.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Black Balsam Knob, North Carolina 28716, USA
Black Balsam Knob is one of Blue Ridge's most popular hikes for a reason. It's got a little of everything that makes the Appalachians special, from dense forests to the wide-open meadows and mountaintop vistas.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Skinny Dip Falls Trailhead, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, USA
Skinny Dip Falls, swimming is not only tolerated–– it's encouraged! This destination features both a waterfall and a swimming hole. You can climb right up the boulders to the top of the waterfall, making this a favorite spot for energetic kids and athletic adults.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Cherry Cove Overlook, North Carolina 28716, USA
Tons and tons of black cherry trees! In the early fall, thousands of birds are attracted by the ripe fruit on these trees.
From here, you might also be able to see Looking Glass Rock. You can easily recognize it by the flat rock face that stands out against all the green trees. It's even more obvious after a rainfall: when the sheer cliff face is wet, it reflects the sun like a gigantic mirror
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower, Canton, NC 28716, USA
The background behind the name is lost to time, but a couple of legends remain. Some say it's because of a pan-shaped freshwater spring; others say the spot was marked by a frying pan hanging from a tree.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Pisgah Inn, 408 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, USA
Pisgah Inn is a great place to stop for a moment. The inn features a public cafe, a gift shop of local artisan crafts, and a country store for all your Parkway travel necessities. But the REAL reason to visit Pisgah Inn is the view.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Mount Pisgah, Mt Pisgah, North Carolina 28716, USA
For a great hike and overlook, take a right just ahead and find a spot to park. This leads to the Mount Pisgah Trailhead.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Mills River Valley Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Candler, NC 28715, USA
At Mills River, you can actually get a good view of the mountains from BOTH sides of the Parkway. Chestnut Ridge is to the west, and Big Ridge is to the east. This 360-degree panoramic scope fully immerses you in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Bad Fork Valley Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Arden, NC 28704, USA
Down in the valley below, you'll see the meandering creek of Bad Fork. It's covered by laurel blossoms and surrounded by hardwood forests.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: French Broad Overlook, 3938 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Arden, NC 28704, USA
French Broad River is unique for a few reasons. First, it's believed to be one of the oldest rivers in the entire world, at 250 million years old. Second, it's one of the ONLY rivers in the country that flows to the north rather than south.
Duration: 5 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- How it works: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions. Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. To begin touring, go to the Starting Point and launch the app. The audio starts automatically. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience. Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
- Good value: Purchase only one tour for the entire vehicle instead of taking the bus and paying for each person. You will see a significant saving. Connect your phone to car speakers by a wire or bluetooth. Enjoy the tour by listening together as you drive.
- Flexible Schedule: Once the app/tour is on your phone, you can use it any day and at any time. You can use it over multiple days. And, also use it on your next trip here. This tour never expires.
- Preview the tour: You can use it before the trip at home (highly recommended), use it during the trip, and use it after you come back.
- Don't miss a thing: You will get everything with the app - a complete itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated audio stories, story script, images, videos, deep dives, hidden gems, exciting locations, recommendations for hikes, adventure, activities, treks, and stop-by-stop direction.
- Private tour: You can use it in your car or rental car. No worries about groups or crowds. Start the tour app on your phone. And it will direct you step by step. You can stop for as many breaks as you like. Take a break for Instagram photos, and take a break for lunch/snacks. Go on a hike. The tour will wait for you and start when you start again. You can even do the tour over multiple days. Go at your own pace.
- Easy to use: The stories play themselves as soon as the GPS is activated. It requires no use of your hands at all. You can get HELP by calling, chatting, or emailing any time of the day.
- Offline: There is no need for a cell signal or Wi-Fi while touring. App’s GPS map works offline.
- Expiration/go again: The tour will last for the rest of your life on your phone. It is available for use on any day of your next trip.
- Use pictures for a photo book: Create a photo book using clean (no crowd) app images of each spot to make a memorable trip. All the photos and the correct sequence is ready in the app for you to use.
- Social media: Share clean (no crowd) images with friends/family.
- Devices supported include iPhones with iOS 13 & above, Android phones with version 9 & above and all cellular-enabled tablets & iPads.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Marie_F
September 2023
I downloaded the app and try to use it and it didn't work. I couldn't contact anyone since there is no signal when you are in mountains.
I downloaded the app and try to use it and it didn't work. I couldn't contact anyone since there is no signal when you are in mountains.FMix1992
October 2022
This tour knows where you are at all times. Points out highlights. Recommends specific (best) overlooks and hikes with detailed descriptions along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We also learned a lot of history and geological facts about the area. Highly recommend!
This tour knows where you are at all times. Points out highlights. Recommends specific (best) overlooks and hikes with detailed descriptions along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We also learned a lot of history and geological facts about the area. Highly recommend!Q7831RBmattm
October 2023
Was very easy to follow along the route and we learned fun facts about the history of the highway which was great
Was very easy to follow along the route and we learned fun facts about the history of the highway which was greatlgo1958
October 2023
The Parkway was beautiful! Enjoyed the narrated guide with points of interest and historical information.
The Parkway was beautiful! Enjoyed the narrated guide with points of interest and historical information.ladysuzie
October 2023
The tour was right on perfect. We enjoyed hearing the historical facts and information . It gave us the time to see what we wanted to see in our own time and skip what we were not interested in.
The tour was right on perfect. We enjoyed hearing the historical facts and information . It gave us the time to see what we wanted to see in our own time and skip what we were not interested in.vickimadrian
October 2023
The audio itself was great. Downside being that we also purchased other audio tours in the area and much of the info was redundant. Each tour should have its own unique narrative with filler stories.
The audio itself was great. Downside being that we also purchased other audio tours in the area and much of the info was redundant. Each tour should have its own unique narrative with filler stories.