Ranging in elevation from 600 to 6000 feet, the Parkway encompasses a variety of weather conditions, regardless of season. We encourage you to become familiar with Parkway resources and services before beginning your cycling trip.
To ensure safe and enjoyable bicycling on day or overnight trips, planning is important. We suggest you carry: (1) plenty of water and high energy foods; (2) clothing for safety and protection from adverse weather conditions; and (3) some form of identification.
For Safe Bicycling
Wear a bicycle helmet.
Be sure your bicycle is in good operating condition. Carry a spare tube and tools for minor repairs.
Wear high visibility clothing. It sets you apart from the scenery and makes you more visible to motorists.
Avoid the Parkway during periods of low visibility. Fog and rain may occur unpredictably. Reschedule your trip for better weather or follow lower elevation routes until weather conditions improve.
Exercise caution when riding through tunnels. Please be sure your bicycle is equipped with the proper lights or reflectors. There are 26 tunnels in North Carolina and one tunnel in Virginia.
Temperatures vary greatly along the Parkway due to different elevations. Wear your clothing in layers if possible.
Safe drinking water is available at all picnic areas, campgrounds, concession operations and visitor centers. Water from streams and springs is unsafe for drinking unless you purify it.
Make an honest evaluation of your abilities before beginning a bicycle trip on the Parkway. In some sections, you will climb as much as 1100 feet in 3.4 miles.
When cycling in a group, adjust your spacing to allow motor vehicles to pass safely.
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Mountain Biking Resources
Mountain biking on trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway is prohibited. However, adjacent National Forests provide unlimited resources to mountain bikers. We recommend that you use the resources below to
plan your next mountain biking adventure. If you are unsure about the designated use of a specific trail, you should contact the local Park Ranger's Office.
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Extended Trips
Some Parkway campgrounds and services are located too far apart for convenient cycling.
Camping is permitted only at established campgrounds. In some areas US Forest Service, State Park and private campgrounds are within easy distance of the Parkway. However, many operate on a seasonal basis.
Food and lodging services are also available along and adjacent to the Parkway. Most operate seasonally.
To assist in planning your trip, consult the Parkway Map and Blue Ridge Parkway Directory.
Carry a simple first aid kit when possible.
Please contact a ranger before leaving a motor vehicle parked overnight on the Parkway.
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Road Biking Resources
- Bicycling the Blue Ridge: A Guide to the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway
There is no ribbon of highway more ideal for cycling than the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway – they both entice the senses and physically challenge the body. The new edition of Bicycling the Blue Ridge continues as the definitive guide to this cyclist’s dream road, offering completely updated information on lodging, bike shops, campgrounds, road crossings, points of interest, bed and breakfasts, panoramic views, groceries, and more.
- Road Cycling: The Blue Ridge High Country
Four years ago, discouraged and depleted from his illness, Lance Armstrong traveled to Boone, North Carolina, in a last-ditch effort to get his cycling career back on track. Through fog and chilly rains, Armstrong attacked the rugged hills of the High Country. After a grueling climb to the top of Beech Mountain, Armstrong knew he was back.
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