The Blue Ridge Parkway is right at our doorstep! Access by car is just 2.5 miles from Hemlock Hill Cabin.
The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, this National Park Service road is known as “America’s Favorite Drive.” But for guests staying with us, it’s more than a designation. It’s your daily backyard, available from the moment you wake up to the moment you settle back in for the evening.
The Parkway has something for every pace and every person in your group.
The Parkway was built for a slower kind of travel. Pull off at any of the scattered overlooks and you’ll find panoramic views that stretch for miles. On clear days, you can see as far as Charlotte from certain vantage points near Grandfather Mountain.
One of the most photographed landmarks along this stretch is the Linn Cove Viaduct, an engineering marvel that curves gracefully around the side of Grandfather Mountain. It’s beautiful any time of year. Dozens of picnic areas and interpretive pull-offs throughout this section let you learn about the region’s geology, wildlife, and Appalachian culture at your own pace.
Don’t miss: Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and Price Lake are both accessed directly off the Parkway and make ideal stops to stretch your legs or enjoy a picnic.
📖 Planning a spring or weekend visit? Our blog post A Spring Weekend Guide to Blowing Rock NCcovers how to build a perfect itinerary around the Parkway, waterfalls, and downtown Blowing Rock.
The trails on and around the Blue Ridge Parkway are some of the best in the High Country. The trails are well-maintained, varied in difficulty, and reliably uncrowded compared to busier national park destinations.
📖 Heading out this spring? Our blog post 5 Must-Do Outdoor Adventures in Blowing Rock NC This Spring features Price Lake and the Tanawha Trail alongside other can’t-miss outdoor experiences.
Access: Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 294
Moses Cone surprises first-time visitors. The park features a network of old carriage roads winding around Bass Lake and Trout Lake, through apple orchards and open meadows, and past the historic Flat Top Manor.
📖 We have a full post dedicated to Bass Lake: Bass Lake in Blowing Rock NC: Easy Family-Friendly Walk Near the Blue Ridge Parkway
Access: Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain, Milepost 302.8
Rough Ridge is short but the payoff is enormous — a wide-open rocky summit with 360-degree views across the Blue Ridge ridgeline. There’s some light scrambling near the top, so younger kids may need a hand, but it’s very manageable for most hikers. Sunrise here is something you won’t forget.
Access: Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 297 — also reachable via trail from Hemlock Hill Cabin (~1 mile)
Price Lake is one of the most scenic and accessible spots along the entire Parkway. The loop around the lake is flat, partially paved, and suitable for strollers and leashed dogs. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent from the boathouse seasonally, and spring brings migrating birds to the shoreline that make a visit worth the binoculars.
Access: Multiple trailheads along the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Tanawha Trail runs parallel to the Parkway along the slopes of Grandfather Mountain. You don’t have to hike the whole thing — most guests pick a section. The stretch near Price Lake is flat and family-friendly. Middle sections include creek crossings and rock scrambles. Farther toward Beacon Heights Overlook, the views become some of the most dramatic in the High Country.
Not every great hike in the High Country is on the Parkway. Here are three of our favorites that are worth the extra drive:
Located about 20 minutes north of Boone, Elk Knob is one of the best kept secrets in the High Country. The Summit Trail climbs 1,000 feet through switchbacks and rocky terrain to the top of a 5,520-foot peak — one of the highest in the region. From the summit you can see Grandfather Mountain to the south, all three High Country ski resorts, and on a clear day the pastoral valleys of Watauga County stretching in every direction. The trail is well-graded and artfully built, with stone benches set into trailside rocks along the way. For younger or less experienced hikers, the easy 1-mile Beech Tree Trail loop offers a gentler alternative from the same trailhead. Parking is free and the park is admission-free. Note that the backcountry trail remains closed due to Hurricane Helene damage — check the NC State Parks website before visiting.
Hawksbill Mountain sits on the eastern rim of Linville Gorge and offers some of the most spectacular views in all of western North Carolina. The trail gains 700 feet in elevation over just over a mile, ending at a craggy 4,009-foot summit with 360-degree panoramas of the gorge below — the Linville River runs 2,000 feet beneath you. On a clear day you can see as far as Charlotte on the distant horizon. This is a trail that rewards the effort in a big way. One important note: the last 2.5 miles of the access road are unpaved and bumpy — a vehicle with decent clearance is recommended. Dogs are welcome on a leash. No admission fee but a camping permit is required for overnight stays between May 1 and October 31.
Hunt Fish Falls is one of the High Country’s best summer secrets for an amazing swim hole – a short, steep descent through rhododendron-filled forest to a two-tiered waterfall on Lost Cove Creek with a deep, clear swimming hole at its base. The hike down is easy enough but remember you have to climb back out, so pace yourself. The waterside rocks and sand spits around the pool make for a perfect picnic spot, and the surrounding forest has primitive camping for those who want to spend the night. This is a prime summer destination and gets busy on weekends – arrive early. Dogs are welcome on a leash. The trail is part of Pisgah National Forest’s Grandfather Ranger District. Note: access roads are gravel and may have areas of wash out from Hurricane Helene.
Your hosts at Hemlock Hill Cabin love sharing their favorite hiking recommendations with guests. They can guide you to the best trails suited to your family’s interests and skill levels. If you’re looking for a short, family-friendly hike or a more challenging adventure, your hosts can provide valuable insights to ensure you make the most of your hiking experience.
If you’re not sure which trail to choose, just ask when you check in. We’re happy to point you in the right direction based on your group’s ages, energy levels, and how much time you have.
Price Lake Trail is the most family friendly — flat, partially paved, and stroller accessible right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Moses Cone carriage trails are another great option for young kids. For families ready for a bit more adventure, Rough Ridge is a short but rewarding hike with spectacular views. Hemlock Hill Cabin keeps a child hiking carrier pack and all-terrain stroller on site for guests with little ones who need a lift on the trail.
No. The Blue Ridge Parkway is free to access. There are no entrance fees for the road, overlooks, or most trailheads. Moses Cone Memorial Park and Julian Price Memorial Park are both free. Grandfather Mountain is a separate private attraction with its own admission fee.
Spring brings wildflowers and waterfalls at peak flow. Fall is spectacular for foliage — typically peaking mid to late October. Summer mornings are cool and clear. Winter hiking is possible but check for Parkway closures due to ice or snow before heading out — conditions change quickly at elevation.
Some sections close during winter due to ice and snow. Check the Blue Ridge Parkway website or call the Parkway information line before heading out. Moses Cone carriage trails are generally accessible in winter when conditions allow. Rough Ridge and higher elevation trails may be icy — microspikes are recommended for winter hiking.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is just 2.5 miles from Hemlock Hill Cabin by car – about a 5 minute drive. Price Lake is also reachable on foot via trail from the cabin, making it one of the most convenient bases for Parkway hiking in the entire High Country.
After a morning on the trails or an afternoon on the Parkway, Hemlock Hill Cabin is the perfect place to land. Kick off your boots on the porch, warm up by the fireplace, and cook a real meal in the fully equipped kitchen. The cabin is designed for exactly this kind of day — adventurous out there, comfortable in here.
