Top 7 'Sky-High-Scenery' Blue Ridge Parkway Alternatives to drive for escaping the crowds this year - Goh Ling Yong
We've all seen the photos. A ribbon of asphalt gracefully winding through a sea of fiery autumn foliage, with hazy blue mountains rolling into the horizon. The Blue Ridge Parkway is, without a doubt, one of America's most iconic drives. It's a 469-mile-long masterpiece of engineering and natural beauty, connecting Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains. And for that reason, it's on nearly every road-tripper's bucket list.
There's just one problem: everyone knows about it. During peak season, especially in the fall, "America's Favorite Drive" can feel more like "America's Favorite Traffic Jam." Overlooks are packed, parking lots are full, and that serene escape you were dreaming of can be shattered by the reality of bumper-to-bumper traffic. The romance of the open road quickly fades when you're crawling along at 15 mph behind a line of a dozen minivans.
But what if I told you that the spirit of the Parkway—the soaring elevations, the jaw-dropping vistas, and the pure joy of a mountain drive—isn't exclusive to that one famous road? Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe the best adventures are often found on the road less traveled. So, we've curated a list of seven incredible Blue Ridge Parkway alternatives. These scenic drives offer all the "sky-high-scenery" with a fraction of the crowds, allowing you to truly connect with your car, the road, and the breathtaking landscapes around you.
1. The Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina & Tennessee
If the Blue Ridge Parkway is a gentle, meandering river, the Cherohala Skyway is a powerful, soaring eagle. This 43-mile National Scenic Byway connects Robbinsville, North Carolina, to Tellico Plains, Tennessee, climbing to elevations over 5,400 feet. Its name is a portmanteau of the two national forests it traverses: the Cherokee and the Nantahala. Unlike the BRP, which often dips into valleys, the Cherohala spends most of its time on the ridgeline, offering near-constant, expansive views.
The driving experience is sublime. The road surface is immaculate, and the curves are a masterful blend of wide, sweeping arcs and tighter, more technical turns that will delight any driving enthusiast. What you won't find here are towns, gas stations, or restaurants. This is 43 miles of pure, uninterrupted mountain wilderness. The overlooks are numerous and well-placed, each providing a different perspective of the Unicoi Mountains. You’ll feel a sense of isolation and grandeur here that can be hard to find on more popular routes.
Pro Tip: Pack a lunch and have a picnic at the Santeetlah Overlook. The panoramic view of the shimmering Santeetlah Lake and the surrounding mountains is one of the best in the entire Appalachian range. Be sure to fill up your gas tank in either Robbinsville or Tellico Plains before you start, as there are zero services along the Skyway itself.
2. Talimena National Scenic Byway, Arkansas & Oklahoma
Head a bit further west, and you'll discover a true hidden gem that rivals the BRP for ridgeline cruising. The Talimena National Scenic Byway stretches for 54 miles along the crest of the Winding Stair and Rich Mountains in the Ouachita National Forest. Running from Talihina, Oklahoma, to Mena, Arkansas, this drive is famous for its incredible fall foliage and breathtaking east-west vistas—a unique perspective compared to the north-south orientation of most Appalachian drives.
The road itself is a cruiser's dream. It's smooth, well-maintained, and features gentle curves that allow you to soak in the scenery without demanding intense concentration. There are over 20 designated overlooks and historic sites along the way, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to pull over, stretch your legs, and capture some stunning photos. Because it’s less known on a national scale, you can often find yourself completely alone at these vistas, with nothing but the wind and the endless mountain ranges for company.
Pro Tip: Plan your drive for early November. The Ouachita Mountains peak a bit later than the Blue Ridge, offering a fantastic opportunity to catch spectacular fall color after the crowds have dissipated elsewhere. The Queen Wilhelmina State Park, located near the midway point, offers a beautiful lodge and restaurant if you're looking for an overnight stay with an unbeatable view.
3. West Virginia's Highland Scenic Highway
West Virginia's motto is "Almost Heaven," and a drive along the Highland Scenic Highway will show you why. This 43-mile route is one of the most beautiful and remote drives in the eastern United States. It follows State Route 150 for 23 miles along a high-altitude plateau before connecting with Route 39, winding its way through the Monongahela National Forest. This is a road designed purely for scenic enjoyment, with a parkway-like feel and a top speed of 45 mph.
The journey takes you through dense spruce forests, open meadows, and past unique ecosystems. The road climbs to an elevation of over 4,500 feet, offering four main overlooks that provide stunning, layered views of the Allegheny Mountains. The sense of wildness here is profound. It's not uncommon to see deer, wild turkey, or even a black bear. The road is completely undeveloped, preserving its natural, untouched character.
Pro Tip: Don't miss the short boardwalk trail at the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, located near the southern end of the highway. This unique ecosystem is home to bogs and plants typically found much further north in Canada. It's a fascinating and otherworldly stop that sets this drive apart from any other on this list.
4. Foothills Parkway, Tennessee
Often called the "forgotten parkway," the Foothills Parkway is a stunning National Parkway that offers some of the most spectacular views of the Great Smoky Mountains. It runs in two separate, completed sections along the northern edge of the National Park. The key difference? While the BRP takes you through the mountains, the Foothills Parkway gives you a panoramic view of the mountains. You get to see the entire majestic range, including its highest peaks, laid out before you like a painting.
The recently completed "missing link" section is an engineering marvel, featuring a series of nine bridges that carry the road along a steep, unstable ridgeline. The drive is smooth and leisurely, with massive overlooks that can accommodate plenty of vehicles without feeling crowded. Because it sits just outside the main tourist thoroughfares of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, it sees significantly less traffic, especially on weekdays. It's the perfect way to experience the grandeur of the Smokies without getting stuck in the park's infamous traffic.
Pro Tip: For the absolute best photo opportunities, drive the western section from Walland to Wears Valley in the late afternoon. The setting sun illuminates the entire face of the Great Smoky Mountains, creating a magical golden-hour light that you won't soon forget.
5. The Back of the Dragon, Virginia (Route 16)
If you're an automotive enthusiast who finds the BRP's 45 mph speed limit a bit too tame, allow me to introduce you to your new favorite road. The "Back of the Dragon" is a 32-mile stretch of Virginia Route 16 between Marion and Tazewell. With over 438 curves, this is a technical, exhilarating drive that demands your full attention. It’s a true driver's road, climbing and descending three different mountains.
While the focus is on the thrilling driving dynamics, the scenery is far from an afterthought. You’ll carve through lush, dense forests and be treated to stunning valley views from the mountain crests. Unlike the other parkways on this list, this is a working state highway, so you'll pass through small communities and get a feel for the local culture. It offers a perfect blend of high-performance driving and authentic Appalachian beauty.
Pro Tip: Start your drive in Marion. At the base of the mountain, you'll find the official Back of the Dragon Welcome Center. You can grab maps, merchandise, and get the latest information on road conditions. Drive it once northbound, grab lunch in Tazewell, and then drive it southbound for a completely different experience.
6. Mount Mitchell Scenic Byway, North Carolina
While technically very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, this drive offers a completely different objective: a vertical ascent to the highest point east of the Mississippi River. The journey begins in the charming town of Burnsville, NC, and follows NC 128 directly off the BRP up to the summit of Mount Mitchell, which stands at a breathtaking 6,684 feet.
The drive itself is a dramatic climb. The air grows cooler, and the deciduous trees of the lower elevations give way to a fragrant, evergreen forest of Fraser firs and red spruce—a landscape more akin to southeastern Canada than North Carolina. From the summit's observation deck, on a clear day, you are rewarded with a true 360-degree, sky-high view that can stretch for over 80 miles. It’s a powerful feeling to stand on the "roof of the East" and look down upon the surrounding Black Mountains.
Pro Tip: The weather on Mount Mitchell can be drastically different from the weather on the Parkway below. It can be sunny and 70°F at the base and foggy, windy, and 50°F at the summit. Always bring a jacket, even in the summer, and check the live summit webcam on the NC State Parks website before you make the drive up.
7. Skyline Drive, Virginia
Okay, this might seem like a cheat, as Skyline Drive is arguably as famous as its southern counterpart. However, it's a distinct and separate experience that many people overlook. As the 105-mile road that runs the entire length of Shenandoah National Park, it's the official precursor to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The key difference is that it's entirely contained within a National Park, which means there's an entry fee, but it also means the facilities, trails, and overlooks are exceptionally well-maintained.
Skyline Drive has 75 designated overlooks, each offering a unique view of the Shenandoah Valley to the west or the rolling Virginia Piedmont to the east. The road is a bit narrower and twistier than the BRP in some sections, making for an engaging drive. Because it's a shorter, more contained experience, you can drive its entire length in a single day, stopping for a hike to a waterfall like Dark Hollow Falls or for lunch at the historic Skyland Resort. It offers a more structured but equally beautiful alternative to the BRP.
Pro Tip: Enter the park through the northernmost entrance at Front Royal and drive south. This is the opposite direction of most tourist traffic coming up from Virginia's major cities, which can lead to less-crowded overlooks. For a truly magical experience, plan your drive to coincide with sunset and find a west-facing overlook.
Your Next Great Drive Awaits
The Blue Ridge Parkway is and always will be a national treasure. But the joy of a great road trip isn't about following the crowd; it's about discovery, freedom, and the thrill of the open road. These seven alternatives offer all the sky-high scenery, incredible driving dynamics, and peaceful escape that you're looking for.
So this year, instead of sitting in traffic, why not point your wheels toward a new horizon? Whether you're carving the curves of the Cherohala Skyway or gazing out from the highest peak at Mount Mitchell, an unforgettable adventure is waiting for you.
Now it's your turn. Which of these drives are you adding to your list? Do you have another favorite Blue Ridge Parkway alternative we missed? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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