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I am planning a ride on the BRP the first week in Sept. Has anyone ever used these maps? maps
I plan on doing a 3 to 4 day trip. Are maps really needed to find gas or a place to sleep (I may not camp this time). Any other advice would help.

No and no. Anytime i've ridden the brp i've used regular road maps and google/gps for details. It's not really a map-intensive experience.

Search back for moe and others posting on times and experiences along the parkway earlier this year.

You can order via the web a Blue Ridge Parkway Info Pak for free or can most likely pick one up being as how you live in VA. You taking 64 or 250 West? Most of the parkway North of Boone is real easy to get on and off. Lot's of unofficial egresses/ingresses. In VA most of the on and offs are major roller coaster rides too! As well as lodging. 60 into Buena Vista is a screamer and has gas/hotels/food. 501 into Lynchburg is sweet too. The Peaks of Otter Lodge at the BRP/43 has a nice pub. Take 43 north to Buchanan for the Watstull Inn. Ride WAY south and some decent food in Little Switzerland. The Skyline Village Inn is a cool place as well. Watch out for speed traps 20 miles North of Fancy Gap to Fancy Gap. The Meadows of Dan is a major weekend rec area...

When rolling the BRP stay topped off and carry your own spirits. The posted speed is 45mph but you can run much faster. Get south of Boone and 45 is fast enough. Too bad you can't roll in October. Fall colors and such. Pull off at overlooks and take in the sights. Real nice country. carry state maps as detours are not uncommon due to washouts and the official detours usually blow. living in VA you know about critters and dawn/dusk. Lot's of tunnels south of Boone. Bring a cable to lock up your leathers and helmet if you want to hike.

Just past the Meadows of Dan speed traps. Had to pull over to clear the slow speed noddings.


Watstull Inn

Don't know exactly what part of the BRP you are planning to ride. I just got back from NC Sunday. I rode all of the BRP from Linville, NC to VA. The part between Blowing Rock (neat town) and Linville is beautiful and includes the Linn Viaduct you see in all the pictures.

I jumped to Robbinsville, NC to ride the Tail of the Dragon and The Cherohala Skyway. I love the BRP but the Cherohala Skyway is about the best bike road I've been on to date. I stayed in a neat little (fairly new) motel called the Two Wheel Inn which has a bike garage next to each room. You can find info on these areas at Tailof theDragon.com and Cherohala.com,

Pick up a NC map to see all the roads from VA south. You can find ride maps near any of the popular areas at gas stations or information centers. Last year I rode 421 from Boone to Shady Valley, TN on the "Snake" which is an 11 mile run similar to the Dragon with more turns. I also rode north from Shady Valley to Damascus, VA which was a nice ride. On that trip I rode east back along south VA to the BRP then south to Linville.

Not far south of Grandfather Mountain (definitely worth a ride up and look around - walk the swinging bridge) the BRP goes by an interesting little community called Little Switzerland. Great place to stop, eat, and have a beer.

The BRP is not crowded with beautiful view and a fun easy ride. If you stop in Blowing Rock, check out the Six Pence Pub. Another neat place to eat and have a beer. Just south of VA on the BRP you can turn off at Laurel Springs where right by the Parkway there's a bike bar, motel and restaurant called the Station's Inn. Another good place to stop for a beer and food.

I already want to go back. I'm sure you'll enjoy the ride.

Moe and Bob sum it up pretty well. Getcha one of them free maps just for security and a getting an idea where you want to stop and have a look-see. Fill up whenever there's a station, don't neglect to wander from the road itself when there's something or somewhere of interest, don't neglect a ride to the top of Mt. Mitchell - It's a great view even on a foggy day. Oh, did I say fog. You will be in fog at some point - be very careful there's wildlife everywhere. Evenings, nights, mornings the road is a deer playground. Ride near the speed limit and keep alert and you'll be ok. If you get past Mabrey Mills there's a nice little vinyard/winery with a decent resturant if ya wanna impress a lady. But if you want to get some man-food, get off mid-way and venture toward the Piedmont and have some really good NC BBQ Just google NC BBQ and you'll see clusters of them - None too far off the path . As said, a lot of the connecting roads are as nice as the BRP - and many twistier, too. Camera - don't forget it and bring lots of batteries and an extra memory or two or three. Geeze, just thinkin' about it is driving me crazy. Enjoy it. I'm headed that way Friday morning,but, as usual, in a cage. Got a wedding in Asheville on Saturday. Plan on playin' and eatin' my way though the high country and the low country.

There are a number of good online maps as well
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=blue+ridge+parkway+maps&aq=f&aqi=&fp=82e34627c46f57f4

The brochures at the entry points may have maps too. I don't recall.

In that the parkway runs parallel to I 81 for a very long stretch, motels and gas stations are at nearly every exit off 81.

A strap that can hang a camera around ones neck is handy to capture the plentiful scenery without having to dig for the camera each time you see a breathtaking vista, which is every other mile or so. A length of rawhide boot lace and maybe a wire tie or two can do the trick for a camera strap very well.

I had excellent food all along the parkway, even the Aramark stuff (at the bigger lodges) was very good.

As you're likely aware, it is slow going, and can be heavily patrolled by park rangers shooting moving radar, but the trip is worth every minute of it. I was lucky enough to do the whole 500 plus miles from Front Royal to Cherokee, and would do it again in a heartbeat, on 5 minutes notice ( if I thought my marriage and finances could survive that is )

My wife and I went this past weekend. Had no particular place we were headed. Picked up a bunch of maps and literature at our first stop in the area. Then picked up a bunch more along the way.

Unless you like to collect maps(like me) don't bother buying anything. You'll find all you need along the way.

Thanks everone. I grew up in Lynchburg and have some great memories of the Peaks Of Otter area. Something about a 69 Mustang and out of gas drifting down the mountain to find gas. Of course that been a long time ago but thats why I am a little worry about finding gas. Oh yes 501, KZ750 and the orginal 900 Ninja. I have a great friend who had these bikes back then, free for me to ride anytime. I guess I dated myself.