Exploring Blue Ridge Parkway: Mount Mitchell & Green Knob Fire Tower (2021)

The Blue Ridge Parkway

As it turns out, the journey to any of the destinations along the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, full of winding road and scenic overlooks, is half the fun...and maybe even more. 

Mount Mitchell

At 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the tallest point east of the Mississippi River. The 1630AM informational radio station provided helpful guidance and was surprisingly funny and entertaining to listen to while entering the park and driving to the summit.

The paved walk from the summit parking lot to the summit is only 300 meters but the uphill climb is more of a challenge than I expected. However, once there, the views are worth it.

For me, the highlight of Mount Mitchell State Park was the ~1 mile Balsam Trail, located near the summit, where you can get a picturesque view of the dense spruce-fir forest, which is a rare alpine ecosystem of trees and animals that can only be found at certain high altitudes.

Green Knob Overlook and Fire Tower

I've only had the chance to explore maybe 40 miles worth of the Blue Ridge Parkway, but so far, Green Knob may be my favorite stop. The hike to the Fire Tower isn't very long (1/3 to 1/2 mile?) but still a deceivingly strenuous climb. An amazing and calm vantage of the mountains awaits at the top of the Lookout Tower stairs.

To find the trail to the Fire Tower, you have to park at the Green Knob Overlook and walk along the side of the road a few hundred feet (north/east). I initially made the mistake of walking down the trail in the corner of the parking lot.

Craggy Mountain Visitor Center

I would also be remiss to not mention the Craggy Mountain Visitor Center. It's the perfect little visitor center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There was even some bluegrass music playing over the sound system inside. The natural, rustic vibe is perfect. I want to invite some friends, throw a log in the wood stove, and hang out in the rocking chairs indefinitely. I also love that the bathrooms are tucked downstairs beneath the structure.