Motorcycle Touring on the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway attracts hundreds of thousands of motorcycle riders annually. Many riders consider the Parkway to be among the very best venues in the United States - if not the best. The reasons are clear - beautiful scenery, numerous overlooks and many travel destinations including the Biltmore Estate, Grandfather Mountain, etc.

To keep the Parkway at the top of motorcycle riders' "dream rides" the National Park Service is very concerned about the safety of the riders. A great resource for motorcycle safety tips in the mountains can be found on BlueRidgeMotorcycling.com.

Of course, the basic laws must be adhered to such as wearing a helmet, burning headlights and observing the maximum, 45 mph Parkway speed limit. In addition, riders should be aware of sometimes slow moving traffic, and loose gravel after rain and slippery, wet leaves in the fall. Wildlife can also sometimes startle riders.

Have a safe, enjoyable ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Motorcycle Adventure Maps - Blue Ridge Parkway Series

Created by a motorcyclist, these maps are designed to take your ride to a whole new level. Other maps may show you where the roads are, but none of them show you which ones are worth riding! Featuring the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains, and North Georgia. Price $5.99

Motorcycle Touring Books:

Motorcycle Adventures in the Southern Appalachians: North Georgia, Western North Carolina, East Tennessee	Motorcycle Adventures in the Southern Appalachians: Asheville NC, The Blue Ridge Parkway, NC High Country	Motorcycle Adventures in the Central Appalachians: Virginia's Blue Ridge, Shenandoah Valley, West Virginia Highlands
Motorcycle Journeys Through the Appalachians	The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Travel: Tips, Technology, Advanced Techniques	Blue Ridge Parkway Motorcycle Products

VBR News Resources:

Hampton Inn, West Jefferson, NC Motorcycle Friendly Lodging just off the Parkway. Brand new hotel opened in March 2010! Signature Cloud 9 bedding in all rooms. Amenities include heated indoor swimming pool and spa, complimentary wired and wireless high speed internet access, Hampton on the House breakfast, business center, meeting room, fitness center, on-site guest laundry services, jacuzzi suites, elevator. Gorgeous long range views in beautiful West Jefferson, NC. More Info Milepost 261 ~ 336-846-4000 203 Hampton Place ~ West Jefferson, NC 24 Hours a Day 7 Days a Week

Linville Falls Lodge and Spear's BBQ & Grill We are less than a mile off the Parkway, so we see a lot of bikers here. We are the perfect stop along your amazing riding experience. We invite you to stay with us, rest your bones (and bike), and enjoy our "Great Food", quench your thirst with our "Fine Spirits", and have "Good Times" sharing your stories of the open road. More Info | hannah@ridgetopassociates.com Milepost 317 ~ 828-765-2658 8730 NC 183 ~ Linville Falls, NC ~ Lodge Open Year Round~ Please Visit Our Website for Spear's Hours of Operation

Skyline Village Inn PLAY HARD. RELAX HERE! 16 affordable rooms, continental breakfast included,great views, restaurant with full bar, Gem mining on site. Rock mineral & Jewelry shop on site. Wine & beer shop on site. Motorcycle friendly with covered parking. Pet friendly. Historic Inn located at MP 331 on Parkway. Built in 1940's with moonshine money it has an interesting history with character to match. Purchased by Mike & Lynn Thrift in 2004 it has undergone major renovations to make it a premiere Parkway venue. More Info | thriftymike@yahoo.com Milepost 331 ~ 828-765-9394 12255 NC 226A ~ Spruce Pine, NC Online Brochure Sunday - Thursday 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday - Saturday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Switzerland Inn & Diamondback Motorcycle Lodge Cruise in to the Switzerland Inn and Diamondback Motorcycle Lodge on the Parkway at MP 334. Our full-service Chalet Restaurant and two patio bars welcome you to your home-away-from-home with ice-cold beer, wine, mixed beverages and chef-inspired specialties. Relax in our mountaintop swimming pool or soak in our hot tubs before retiring to the wide front porch of the Diamondback Motorcycle Lodge, our multi-bedroom cottage with covered parking. 72 mountain view rooms, suites and pet-friendly cabins. More Info | info@switzerlandinn.com Milepost 334 ~ 800-654-4026 86 High Ridge Road ~ Little Switzerland, NC April - November

Oak Park Inn Step back in time, where old-fashioned and friendly service welcomes you. Located in beautiful downtown Waynesville, enjoy our convenient location to shops, restaurants, pubs, and churches, all within walking distance. Wireless internet access, rockers at every room, bike parking outside every door. All rooms are non-smoking. More Info | oakparkinn@aol.com Milepost 443 ~ 828-456-5328 196 S. Main St. ~ Waynesville, NC Open Year Round 24 hours a day

Mountaineer Restaurant and Fireside Cottages Located just 1.5 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Mountaineer Restaurant and Fireside Cottages are home to "The Million Dollar View"! Serving Breakfast, lunch and dinner, we offer GOOD FOOD, FRIENDLY SERVICE, AND AN AWESOME VIEW! We offer mapped routes of the best riding in the mountains. The Wheels Through Time Museum is only 3 miles. It is a "must see" in motorcycling. Fireside Cottages offers a great night's sleep, with cabins for 1 to 18 persons. So mark your map, and LET'S RIDE! More Info | firesidecottages@charter.net Milepost 455 ~ 828-926-1730 6490 Soco Rd ~ Maggie Valley, NC Open Daily 8:00 am - 9:00 pm

Ironhorse Motorcycle Lodge Ironhorse Motorcycle Lodge is a unique “Motorcycle Only” resort offering secluded and relaxing full cabins and rooms on a creek side setting, RV sites, camping and on-premise restaurant, multimedia projection system, and fire pit. Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, just 1.7 miles off Hwy 28 (Moonshiner 28), and just minutes from the Dragon (129), Cherohalla Sky (NC143/TN165), and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Join us for an unforgettable motorcycling vacation that will exceed your expectations. More Info | info@ironhorsenc.com Milepost 461.9 ~ 828-479-3864 1755 Lower Stecoah Rd ~ Robbinsville, NC Open 7:00 am to 9:00 pm Daily April 1st - Nov 1st

GSMmotoRent GSMmotoRent provides dual sport motorcycle rentals to the adventure-seeking rider. Our fleet of bikes include Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW and Triumph ranging in size from 200cc to 1200cc, providing something for everyone. Based in Townsend, TN just outside of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, this location offers easy access to several forest service and fire roads, while also being close to The Dragon , Cherohala Skyway and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Owners are both avid riders! More Info | info@gsmmotorent.com Milepost 469 ~ 865-448-6090 Townsend, TN Open Mid-March to Mid-November