Parkway Loop Tours

Explore Blue Ridge Parkway in Haywood County Via Loop Tours

With four convinient access points throughout Haywood County, getting to and from the Blue Ridge Parkway is easy. The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority wants to make your exploration of "America's Favorite Drive," celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2010, even easier. With 46 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway located here, there is lots to see, from picturesque mountain vistas and waterfalls to Cold Mountain and the Parkway's highest point. There's also lots to do, including great hiking and biking. To make navigating the county and Blue Ridge Parkway a breeze, here are some suggested loop tours.

WAYNESVILLE 276 LOOP
Directions: U.S. 23/74 to Exit 102A. Follow Russ Avenue to Main Street. Make a right onto Main Street into downtown Waynesville. Left onto Pigeon Street, which becomes U.S. 276 South. Follow through traffic light at N.C. 110 intersection. Continue for several miles through Cruso to Blue Ridge Parkway entrance. Make left onto Blue Ridge Parkway. Exit Parkway at Balsam Gap. Return to Balsam Visitors Center.

Points of Interest: Downtown Waynesville features unique shopping, art galleries, cafés, and fine dining ina a quaint, relaxing atmosphere. Historic Frog Level is a revitalized arts district full of more galleries and antique shops. The North Carolina Museum of Handicrafts at the Shelton House and the Haywood Arts Regional Theater are located on Pigeon Street. Cold Mountain is located to the right of U.S. 276 in Bethel. The Cruso Community Center is located on U.S. 276.

CANTON/CLYDE 215 LOOP
Directions: U.S. 23/74 to Exit 106. Follow U.S. 19/23/74 through Clyde. Enter Canton. Stay straight onto Main Street. Make hard left onto Park Street. Make left onto N.C. 215. Stay on N.C. 215 to Blue Ridge Parkway. Take right onto Parkway. Exit Parkway at Balsam Gap. Return to Balsam Visitors Center.

Points of Interest: Shook House Museum in Clyde; downtown Canton shops and restaurants; Canton Historical Museum; Evergreen Packaging (formerly Blue Ridge Paper); Colonial Theater; Sunburst Trout Farm on N.C. 215; farm-fresh produce markets; Lake Logan.

MAGGIE VALLEY 19 LOOP
Directions: U.S. 23/74 to Exit 102B. Left at U.S. 19 (Dellwood Road). Stay straight through Maggie Valley (Dellwood turns into Soco Road). At top of Soco Gap, take a right at half-loop to stop sign, then turn right onto Blue Ridge Parkway. Exit Parkway at Balsam Gap. Return to Balsam Visitors Center.

Points of Interest: Shopping, restaurants, mountain arts & crafts; Ghost Town in the Sky; Maggie Valley Festival Grounds; Maggie Valley Opry House; Carolina Nights Dinner Theater; Eaglenest Entertainment. DETOUR OPTION: Turn onto U.S. 276 North (Jonathan Creek Road), left on Cove Creek Road, follow into Cataloochee Valley.

MAGGIE VALLEY/WAYNESVILLE LOOP
Directions: U.S. 23/74 to 102A. Follow Russ Avenue to Main Street. Make a right onto Main Street into downtown Waynesville. Left onto Pigeon Street, which becomes U.S. 276 South. Follow through light at N.C. 110 intersection. Continue for several miles through Cruso to Blue Ridge Parkway entrance. Make left onto Blue Ridge Parkway. Follow Parkway to Soco Gap, exit onto U.S. 19 (Soco Road). Stay on U.S. 19 through Maggie Valley. Right Russ Avenue. Right onto U.S. 23/74. Return to Balsam Visitors Center.


To print or load onto your mobile device, download the Blue Ridge Parkway Loop Tours brochure. A full Blue Ridge Parkway map is available for download as well. The print versions of both are available at the HCTDA office in Waynesville and at its visitors centers in Balsam and Canton.