A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Blue Ridge Parkway Lodging in North Carolina and Virginia
When we first drove up the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, we didn’t have much time to plan our trip because a plumbing issue forced us to vacate our home for 4 days. Starting at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Milepost 469.1), we gradually made our way north on the world-renowned scenic route, stopping at every single overlook along the way. By the time we reached our turn-around point at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park in Blowing Rock (Milepost 294.1), we were blown away by the number of majestic mountains, wondrous waterfalls, and jaw-dropping vistas we’d seen.
We knew we’d need a lot more time to explore popular spots such as Craggy Gardens, Graveyard Fields, Mt. Mitchell, and Rough Ridge. We added hiking trails such as Crabtree Falls and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and tiny towns like Little Switzerland and Spruce Pine to our list of things to do on future visits. But perhaps the biggest surprise of that first Blue Ridge Parkway road trip was how few hotels, B&Bs, and cabin rental options there were along the 469-mile route. And also how beautiful the roads were that led from the BRP down to the Blue Ridge mountain towns that feed into it.
After driving the Parkway for the sixth time in 2023, we assembled a list of our favorite NC and VA lodging options, including numerous pet-friendly places. Read on for our guide to the best Blue Ridge Parkway hotels, cabin rentals, and B&Bs in North Carolina and Virginia, including options in mountain towns spanning almost the entire length of the route.
Top Lodging Options Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
1. Iris Inn & Cabins (Waynesboro VA)
Located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, just 4 miles west of Skyline Drive and the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway, this highly-rated 19-acre property offers 6 well-appointed suites in the Main Inn, 2 Private Cottages, and 6 cabins. All accommodations include floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Valley. Guests can enjoy community decks, a hot tub, cookies, nightly wine tastings, and a tower offering 360º views of the property.
2. Wintergreen Resort (Nellysford VA)
This is the largest ski resort in Virginia, located about 18 miles south of Waynesboro VA, less than 4 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The resort offers a range of accommodations, from the Mountain Inn and condominium rentals to private homes and exclusive properties. Amenities include a luxury spa, fitness center, indoor pool, and tennis courts. There are 26 slopes and cross-country trails ranging from beginner to expert levels, with a high-tech snowmaking system and the largest snow tubing course in the state of Virginia.
3. Steeles Tavern Manor (Steeles Tavern VA)
Located about 17 miles north of Lexington VA and less than 6 miles west of the Blue Ridge Parkway, this 106-year-old manor house boasts 50 pastoral acres that includes a spring-fed pond, small creek, in-ground pool, and beautiful views. Owners Dana and Trey Tumminello serve up the best breakfast in Rockbridge County, with ingredients sourced directly from Shenandoah Valley farms and markets.
4. Peaks of Otter Lodge (Bedford VA)
Located at Milepost 85.6, about 11 miles north of Bedford VA, the Peaks of Otter Lodge is one of just a few hotels and lodges that are situated right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The historic lodge has 63 rooms, most of which offer breathtaking views of Sharp Top Mountain. The lodge has a really nice restaurant, full bar, and walking trails around the beautiful lake.
5. Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (Roanoke VA)
Part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, this historic hotel is located in Downtown Roanoke near the Virginia Museum of Transportation, just a few miles west of the BRP. Designed in the Tudor Revival style and opened on Christmas in 1882, the upscale hotel has been rebuilt/expanded many times. Its refined rooms and suites feature traditional decor, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs.
6. Primland Resort (Meadows of Dan VA)
Ranked the #1 resort in the Southeast by Condé Nast Traveler, Primland is a 12,000-acre estate in Meadows of Dan VA that offers a full fleet of entertainment and accommodation options. Among the more unique amenities here include an observatory for stargazing, ATV trails, mountain biking on the Old Appalachian Trail, and diverse sporting options, plus a top-notch golf course and the luxurious Auberge Spa.
7. Mena’s Place (Banner Elk NC)
Located about 10 miles from the Parkway and Grandfather Mountain State Park, and walking distance from the heart of Banner Elk, Mena’s Place makes an excellent base for exploring the best the NC High Country has to offer. Built on Main St in 1939, the historic 2-bedroom home has been lovingly restored while also preserving charming original features.
8. The Perry House Bed & Breakfast (Banner Elk NC)
Located in the heart of Banner Elk about 10 miles from the Parkway, the Perry House B&B is situated on a hill that affords incredible views of Sugar Mountain and Grandfather Mountain. The Banner Elk bed and breakfast was built in 1901, then restored in the style of a charming country inn. The Perry House offers five rooms, each of which features a Queen-sized bed, en suite bathroom, flat screen TV, and WiFi.
9. Dog-Friendly Sugar Mountain Condo (Sugar Mountain NC)
After a long day of exploring some of our favorite Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks in NC, we made our way down the side of a mountain, through a forest whose autumn leaves glowed like colorful gems against the evening sky. The back deck of this dog-friendly, 1BR/1BA condo offered exceptional views of the sunset and Grandfather’s iconic peak. The place also offered a fully-equipped kitchen, king-sized bed, sleeper sofa, and Wifi.
10. Chetola Resort (Blowing Rock NC)
Located less than 2 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Chetola Resort, Lodge & Spa’s history dates back to 1846, long before the famous road was built. Recent upgrades to one of our favorite Blue Ridge Parkway hotels include the culinary offerings of Timberlake’s Restaurant, the 67-acre Chetola Sporting Reserve, and the renovation of the Chetola Lodge’s first floor in 2019.
11. Meadowbrook Inn (Blowing Rock NC)
Located 2 miles from the BRP, and just one mile from Moses Cone Park’s Bass Lake, the Meadowbrook Inn is an upscale boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Blowing Rock. This exceptional location is within easy walking distance of great restaurants, Broyhill Park, and loads of great shopping, museums, and other popular Blowing Rock attractions.
12. Papa Bear Log Cabin (Linville Falls NC)
As we explore the entire Blue Ridge region for this site, we’re also searching for a place to call home in the not-too-distant feature. Located just under two miles from the BRP, the Papa Bear Log Cabin was the closest thing we’ve found to our dream mountain home. Tucked away in a quiet stretch of forest, it felt like having a little nature sanctuary all to ourselves.
13. Miner’s Cabin on Reems Creek (Weaverville NC)
Located less than 5 miles from the scenic highway, this pet-friendly cabin in Weaverville NC ultimately proved to be one of our favorite places to stay on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The rustic cabin is literally right on Reems Creek, with a picturesque pasture visible from the back deck and the owners’ duck pond steps away from the front deck.
14. Pinecrest Bed & Breakfast (Asheville NC)
The Pinecrest B&B in Montford is another home designed by Biltmore architect Richard Sharp Smith. Built in 1905, the symmetrical two-story house has polygonal towers framing a central entrance bay. It features many of the Smith’s signatures, which included shingles, pebble dash, rubble masonry, and stucco.
15. Cumberland Falls Bed & Breakfast Inn (Asheville NC)
Another Montford area B&B, Cumberland Falls is located around 6 miles from the BRP and just a 15-minute walk from some of the best Downtown Asheville restaurants. Each of the B&B’s 6 guest rooms has its own unique decor style, from the stately antiques of the Victorian Parlor and the earth tone hues of the Garden Vista to the alcoves and skylights of the top-floor Daydream Room.
16. Black Walnut Inn (Asheville NC)
Located 6 miles from the Parkway in downtown Asheville’s Montford Historic District, the Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn was built in 1899. Like many of the best Asheville B&Bs, it was designed by Richard Sharp-Smith, who was also the supervising architect for the world-renowned Biltmore House.
17. Engadine Inn & Cabins (Candler NC)
Located 18 miles north of the BRP and west of Asheville, Engadine Inn & Cabins offers some of the few pet-friendly Blue Ridge Parkway cabins we were able to find available for our late October road trip to see NC’s Fall colors. Built by Captain John Keais Hoyt in 1885 and named after the Engadine Valley in Switzerland, this Queen Anne-style Victorian house remained a private home until 1994, when it was restored, decorated, and turned into an Inn.
18. Mountain Springs Cabins (Asheville NC)
Located off Pisgah Hwy about 8 miles from the BRP and 10 miles from the Mt Pisgah Trailhead, Mountain Springs Cabins offers cute tiny homes, yurts, and fully equipped cabins on their 50-acre property. Though the address may say “Asheville,” it feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Asheville, with a creek behind the rustic cabins that’s perfect for river tubing, fishing, or just wading on a hot summer’s day.
19. Pisgah Inn (Canton NC)
Located between Brevard and Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Pisgah Inn was established in 1919 (nearly 20 years before Parkway construction began) and rebuilt in the 1960s. Located high atop Mt. Pisgah, the inn is home to some of the BRP’s most iconic views. So it’s a great option for those who can’t (or don’t want to) hike, but still want a bird’s eye view of the glorious Fall colors in NC.
20. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino (Cherokee NC)
Owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and operated by Caesars Entertainment, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Resort was opened in 1997, making it the first casino in North Carolina. The casino’s profits are distributed to members of the tribe via two checks per year. Profits are also used to benefit those seeking financial aid for secondary education, affordable housing, and healthcare supplements.
