Pack a picnic and take a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Craggy Gardens! Experience the refreshing mountain air, vibrant summer rhododendrons, and great hiking trails. Craggy Gardens is just a small part of the Great Craggy Mountains, a sub-range of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The name “Craggy” comes from the twisted, jagged rock faces found throughout, and the area’s highest peak is Craggy Dome at 6,105 feet.
Blue Ridge Parkway Info
- Craggy Gardens has three sections to visit. Look for mileposts along the Parkway as they don’t have GPS addresses.
- Milepost 367.6, Craggy Gardens Picnic Grounds & Craggy Gardens Trail to Craggy Flats (elevation 5,680 ft.)
- Milepost 364.1, Hike to panoramic views from Craggy Pinnacle (5,892 ft.)
- Milepost 364.4, Craggy Gardens Visitor Center at the Gap (5,497 ft.)
- While the Visitor Center is only open from late spring to fall, the parking area remains open. Due to extreme winter weather, the Parkway is closed much of the winter in this area.
Hiking Trails
- Craggy Pinnacle Trail is a short 0.6 mile but steep trail that takes most visitors about 20 minutes to reach the summit. The viewing area at the top is surrounded by a low stone wall. Looking south, you’ll see the Parkway below and to the west, rows of mountains that reach all the way to Tennessee.
- Craggy Gardens Trail can be accessed from the south end of the visitor center parking area or from the north end of the picnic area. The total trail is just under 2 miles of moderate terrain.
- Douglas Falls Trail aka Carter Creek Falls is an 8 mile out and back trail that follows the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. This strenous hike leads you to a 70 foot waterfall and is recommended for experienced hikers only.
- Snowball Mountain Trail is another 8 mile trail round trip accessed from the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The moderate to strenous hike will take you through a mixed-hardwood forest and follows the ridges with views on both sides.
