The Blue Ridge runs from northern Virginia through the Carolinas into north Georgia. Pick a region below to see what is there, then find a rental close by.
Shenandoah National Park, VA · Shenandoah and Central Virginia
Skyline Drive is a slow road along the ridge of Shenandoah National Park, with overlooks every few miles and trailheads along the way. It is especially popular in October when the leaves turn. An entrance fee applies, and the road can close in winter weather.
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Luray, VA · Shenandoah and Central Virginia
A large cave system near Luray with tall formations that visitors see on a guided walk. It is a good rainy-day stop and is close to Shenandoah National Park.
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Etlan, VA · Shenandoah and Central Virginia
A strenuous loop hike over granite boulders to a bare summit, one of the best-known hikes in Shenandoah National Park. Between March and November you need a day-use ticket in addition to the park entrance fee. Contact details here are for the park, not a trailhead office.
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Shenandoah National Park, VA · Shenandoah and Central Virginia
A short, steep trail near Big Meadows leads down to a cascading waterfall. The walk back up takes more effort than the walk down. The trailhead is on Skyline Drive near milepost 50.7, and contact details here are for the park.
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McGaheysville, VA · Shenandoah and Central Virginia
A mountain resort in the Shenandoah Valley with ski slopes and snow tubing in winter. In warmer months it is also a base for a water park and other resort activities.
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Wintergreen, VA · Shenandoah and Central Virginia
A mountain community and resort on the Blue Ridge in Nelson County with skiing in winter and views across the valley. Trails and other outdoor options are open in warmer months.
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Charlottesville, VA · Shenandoah and Central Virginia
A group of wineries around Charlottesville and Albemarle County, many with tasting rooms and views of the Blue Ridge. Hours differ by winery, and some close early in the week.
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Catawba, VA · Roanoke and Southwest Virginia
A rock ledge on the Appalachian Trail above the Catawba Valley, among the most photographed spots on the trail. The hike is long enough that you should plan most of a day. Parking has been changing, so check with the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club before you drive out.
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Bedford, VA · Roanoke and Southwest Virginia
A recreation area on the Blue Ridge Parkway with a small lake at the base of Sharp Top and trails to summit views. There is a lodge and a visitor center, with seasonal hours. Phone shown is the Parkway's main number.
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Meadows of Dan, VA · Roanoke and Southwest Virginia
An old water-powered gristmill beside the Blue Ridge Parkway near Meadows of Dan, with a mill pond and a trail past other historic buildings. A restaurant serves meals in season. Phone shown is the Parkway's main number.
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Roanoke, VA · Roanoke and Southwest Virginia
A large lighted star on Mill Mountain above Roanoke that can be seen from much of the valley. The park around it has an overlook with views of the city. The star is lit every night.
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Natural Bridge, VA · Roanoke and Southwest Virginia
A stone arch more than 200 feet high carved by a creek, with a trail beneath it and walks to a small waterfall. Thomas Jefferson once owned the land. It is now a Virginia state park.
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Mouth of Wilson, VA · Roanoke and Southwest Virginia
High open balds near Mount Rogers where wild ponies graze, with trails that cross the Appalachian Trail. The ponies are wild, so keep your distance and do not feed them.
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Abingdon, VA · Roanoke and Southwest Virginia
A converted railroad grade that runs from Abingdon toward the North Carolina line, popular for biking, especially downhill from Whitetop. The trail crosses old trestles and runs beside a creek. Phone shown is for Abingdon's visitor center.
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Floyd, VA · Roanoke and Southwest Virginia
A small-town store in Floyd that hosts old-time and bluegrass music, with dancing at the Friday Night Jamboree. Part of Virginia's Crooked Road heritage music trail.
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Abingdon, VA · Roanoke and Southwest Virginia
A historic town with a walkable Main Street, shops and restaurants, and the Barter Theatre. It is also where the Virginia Creeper Trail begins. Contact details here are for the visitor center.
No rentals here yet.
Linville, NC · NC High Country
A nonprofit nature park with the Mile High Swinging Bridge, hiking trails and wildlife habitats. The summit area is often windy and cooler than the valleys. Admission is charged at the entrance.
Linville, NC · NC High Country
A curving concrete bridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway that winds around the side of Grandfather Mountain. A short paved path from the visitor center gets you underneath for views of the bridge. Phone shown is the Parkway's main number.
Blowing Rock, NC · NC High Country
A rock outcrop high above the Johns River gorge, known for a local legend and wide valley views. It sits just outside the town of Blowing Rock, which has shops and restaurants on its main street.
Boone, NC · NC High Country
A college town with a walkable downtown of shops, restaurants and breweries. It is a handy base for the rest of the High Country. Contact details here are for the visitor center.
Blowing Rock, NC · NC High Country
A family theme park built around a coal-fired steam train ride through the woods. It also has rides, shows and seasonal events. Hours and operating seasons change, so check the website.
Sugar Mountain, NC · NC High Country
The tallest ski mountain in North Carolina, with a wide range of slopes and a tubing park in winter. Many of the rentals in the area are close to its slopes.
Beech Mountain, NC · NC High Country
A ski resort on the highest town in the eastern United States, with slopes and snow tubing in winter. The area also has mountain biking and views in warmer months.
Blowing Rock, NC · NC High Country
A small, family-friendly ski area near Blowing Rock with night skiing and a ski school. It has beginner terrain and is often a good choice for people learning.
Linville Falls, NC · NC High Country
A multi-tiered waterfall at the head of Linville Gorge, with short trails to several overlooks. The visitor center and trailhead are off a spur road from the Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost 316. Phone shown is the Parkway's main number.
Linville Falls, NC · NC High Country
A deep, rugged gorge in Pisgah National Forest, often called the Grand Canyon of the East. Wiseman's View is a short walk from a road and gives a broad look into the gorge. Trails inside the gorge are steep and demanding. Contact details are for the Forest Service's Grandfather Ranger District.
Valle Crucis, NC · NC High Country
A quiet valley community known for the original Mast General Store, which has operated for more than a century. Nearby are farms, galleries and a creek-side setting.
Banner Elk, NC · NC High Country
A small mountain town with restaurants, shops and a college, close to several ski areas. It hosts the Woolly Worm Festival every October, where racing caterpillars supposedly predict winter weather.
Todd, NC · NC High Country
A state park with a trail to a high summit and open views across the High Country and into Tennessee. The summit trail is steady but not technical. Check the park's website for trail closures.
Laurel Springs, NC · NC High Country
A long stretch of one of the oldest rivers in North America, with canoe and tube access and camping. The park has several access points along the river. Navigation apps often misplace the main address, so use the park's directions.
Asheville, NC · Asheville and Southern NC Mountains
A large historic mansion in Asheville set on landscaped grounds, with gardens, a winery and a village of shops. Admission is charged and tickets are usually bought in advance.
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Burnsville, NC · Asheville and Southern NC Mountains
The park around the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, with an observation platform near the summit. The road reaches close to the top, and the weather is often cold and cloudy. Check the park's website for current status.
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Asheville, NC · Asheville and Southern NC Mountains
A high, open area on the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Asheville with short trails, a visitor center and views. Rhododendrons bloom here in June. Phone shown is the Parkway's main number.
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Chimney Rock, NC · Asheville and Southern NC Mountains
A tall granite spire above Lake Lure with a walk and stairs to the top and a trail to a waterfall. Entry may require a timed ticket in busy periods, so check the park's website.
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Pisgah Forest, NC · Asheville and Southern NC Mountains
A granite dome in Pisgah National Forest that shines when water runs down its face in cold weather. The trail to the top is a steady climb of several miles round trip. The parking area fills quickly on weekends.
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Cedar Mountain, NC · Asheville and Southern NC Mountains
A state forest with several waterfalls, lakes and miles of trails for walking, biking and horseback riding. Hooker Falls, Triple Falls and High Falls are the best known. The forest is managed by the N.C. Forest Service, and a mailing address is listed rather than a street address.
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Waynesville, NC · Asheville and Southern NC Mountains
A high-elevation valley off the Blue Ridge Parkway with waterfalls, open meadows and blueberry bushes. It is popular in all seasons, so expect a full parking lot on nice days. Phone shown is the Parkway's main number.
No rentals here yet.
Asheville, NC · Asheville and Southern NC Mountains
A walkable downtown of galleries, shops, breweries and restaurants, with live music most nights. The River Arts District has working artist studios. Contact details here are for the Asheville Visitor Center.
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Hendersonville, NC · Asheville and Southern NC Mountains
Henderson County grows most of North Carolina's apples. Orchards sell fruit, cider and baked goods in the fall, and the area hosts the N.C. Apple Festival each year. Contact details here are for the Henderson County visitor center, which has a self-guided orchard map.
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Highlands, NC · Asheville and Southern NC Mountains
Two plateau towns in the southern mountains known for waterfalls, upscale shops and cool summers. Whitewater Falls, one of the taller waterfalls in the East, is reached by a short paved path from a parking area.
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Brevard, NC · Asheville and Southern NC Mountains
Brevard is a small town at the edge of Pisgah National Forest, known for its many waterfalls, including Looking Glass Falls beside the road. The downtown has shops and restaurants, and the visitor center can point you to the falls.
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Townsend, TN · Great Smoky Mountains
A broad valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with an 11-mile one-way loop road past old cabins, churches and farms. Deer and other wildlife are often seen. The loop can be crowded, and the road is closed to cars on some mornings in season. Phone shown is the park's main number.
No rentals here yet.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Great Smoky Mountains
The highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with a paved, uphill walk to an observation tower. The access road is closed in winter, usually from December through March. Phone shown is the park's main number.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Great Smoky Mountains
A mountain pass on the main road across Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the state line between Tennessee and North Carolina. The overlook has long views and the Appalachian Trail crosses here. Phone shown is the park's main number.
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Gatlinburg, TN · Great Smoky Mountains
A high Smokies peak reached by several long, steep trails, with a rustic lodge at the top that you can only reach on foot. Even a day hike on one of its trails is strenuous. Website and phone here are for LeConte Lodge.
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Gatlinburg, TN · Great Smoky Mountains
A busy tourist town at the main entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with shops, restaurants and attractions along its main street. It is a short drive from many trailheads. Contact details here are for the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
No rentals here yet.
Pigeon Forge, TN · Great Smoky Mountains
A theme park in Pigeon Forge with roller coasters, live music shows and craft demonstrations. It holds seasonal events through the year. Hours and ticket prices change, so check the website.
No rentals here yet.
Gatlinburg, TN · Great Smoky Mountains
A mountaintop attraction above downtown Gatlinburg, reached by a lift, with a treetop walk, a suspension bridge and shops. It offers broad views of the surrounding mountains.
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Townsend, TN · Great Smoky Mountains
A quiet town on the Tennessee side of the Smokies, near the Little River and an entrance to the national park. It is a good starting point for Cades Cove. Contact details here are for the visitor center.
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Roan Mountain, TN · NC High Country
A high ridge on the Tennessee and North Carolina line known for grassy balds and a large stand of Catawba rhododendron that blooms in mid-to-late June. The Rhododendron Gardens are managed by the Forest Service, and Roan Mountain State Park is nearby in the valley.
Cherokee, NC · Great Smoky Mountains
The town at the heart of the Qualla Boundary, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, at the North Carolina entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park's Oconaluftee Visitor Center and a pioneer farmstead are just north of town. Address shown is the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.
No rentals here yet.
Bryson City, NC · Great Smoky Mountains
Excursion trains leave from the depot in Bryson City for trips along the Tuckasegee River and through the Nantahala Gorge. Bryson City itself has shops and restaurants.
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Bryson City, NC · Great Smoky Mountains
An outfitter on the Nantahala River offering guided whitewater rafting, kayak lessons and other outdoor activities. The river runs through a forested gorge, with rafting in season.
No rentals here yet.
Blue Ridge, GA · North Georgia Mountains
Excursion trains leave the historic depot in downtown Blue Ridge for rides along the Toccoa River toward the Tennessee line. Fall color trips are especially popular, so book ahead.
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Blue Ridge, GA · North Georgia Mountains
A reservoir surrounded by national forest land, used for swimming, boating and fishing. There is a Forest Service recreation area on its shore. Contact details are for the Forest Service's Blue Ridge Ranger District.
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Blue Ridge, GA · North Georgia Mountains
A cold, clear river known for tubing, paddling and trout fishing, with a long swinging footbridge on the Benton MacKaye Trail. Sandy Bottoms is a Forest Service area on its banks. Phone shown is the Forest Service's Blue Ridge Ranger District.
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Blue Ridge, GA · North Georgia Mountains
A large orchard just north of Blue Ridge with a farm market, bakery and pick-your-own fruit in season. Fall brings apples, cider and donuts. Hours vary through the year, so check before you go.
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Ellijay, GA · North Georgia Mountains
A small town in Gilmer County that calls itself the apple capital of Georgia, with orchards and apple houses along the roads outside town. The Georgia Apple Festival is held here each fall. The county chamber runs a welcome center downtown.
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Helen, GA · North Georgia Mountains
A village styled after a Bavarian town, with shops, restaurants and tubing on the Chattahoochee River in summer. It holds an Oktoberfest each fall. Contact details here are for the Helen Welcome Center.
No rentals here yet.
Dawsonville, GA · North Georgia Mountains
A state park centered on a tall waterfall, among the highest in the eastern United States, with an overlook near the top and stairs along the falls. The Appalachian Trail's approach trail starts here.
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Hiawassee, GA · North Georgia Mountains
The highest point in Georgia, with a visitor center, an exhibit hall and an observation deck at the top. A paved trail climbs from the parking area, and a shuttle may run in busy seasons. It is operated by the Forest Service and charges a fee.
No rentals here yet.
Dahlonega, GA · North Georgia Mountains
A town built around a historic square, site of the nation's first major gold rush in the 1820s. Nearby vineyards have tasting rooms, and the town has shops and restaurants. Contact details here are for the visitor center.
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Tallulah Falls, GA · North Georgia Mountains
A deep gorge with a suspension bridge across it, rim trails and overlooks. Permits are needed to hike to the floor, and are limited on many days.
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Blairsville, GA · North Georgia Mountains
One of Georgia's oldest state parks, set in the mountains near Blairsville with a small lake, hiking trails and camping. The lake has been drained for dam repairs at times, so check conditions before planning a swim or a lakeside walk.
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