The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway
and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It
runs for 469 miles, mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain
chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains. Its southern terminus is on
the boundary between Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee
Indian Reservation in North Carolina, from which it travels north to
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and becomes Shenandoah's Skyline Drive.
Land on either side of the road is maintained by the National Park Service.
The Parkway is not a National Park, but is a National Scenic Byway and
All-American Road, and is the most visited unit in the United States
National Park System. In many places, the park is bordered by land protected
by the United States Forest Service.
History
Begun during the administration of U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt, the
project was originally called the "Appalachian Scenic Highway." Most
construction was carried out by private contractors under federal contracts
under an authorization by Harold L. Ickes in his role as federal public works
administrator. Work began on September 11, 1935 near Cumberland Knob in North
Carolina; construction in Virginia began the following February. On June 30,
1936, Congress formally authorized the project as the "Blue Ridge Parkway" and
placed it under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. Some work was
carried out by various New Deal public works agencies. The Works Progress
Administration did some roadway construction. Crews from the Emergency Relief
Administration carried out landscape work and development of parkway recreation
areas. Personnel from four Civilian Conservation Corps camps worked on roadside
cleanup, roadside plantings, grading slopes, and improving adjacent fields and
forest lands. During World War II, the CCC crews were replaced by conscientious
objectors in the Civilian Public Service program. Construction of the parkway
took over 52 years to complete, the last stretch being laid around Grandfather
Mountain in 1987.
Other Blue Ridge and National Park Links
Blue Ridge
Parkway Foundation
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is a protector of the Parkway, providing
support beyond federal budgets assuring the traditions and beauty of the
Parkway can be realized and shared.
Blue Ridge
Parkway Guide
Free source for information, photos and maps of the Blue Ridge Parkway and
surrounding areas. Visit this trusted source before planning your next trip
to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Blue
Ridge Parkway Store
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation web store is the answer to the demand for
Blue Ridge Parkway related products, crafts, services and information.
High
Country Photos
Photo galleries of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Mountain Photography
Competition finalists, user-submitted photos and more. You can rate and
comment on your favorite photos!
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The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited park in the US National Park Service. Over 18 million visitor drive on the parkway each year. So, if you want us to feature one of your favorite parks, please email us and let us know!