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Blue Ridge Parkway: Waterrock Knob, Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina
Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0

Drives North Carolina The Smokies

Blue Ridge Parkway: Waterrock Knob

Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherokee → Waterrock Knob

Twisty17.5 mi30 min5,500 ft climbHigh point ≈ 5,700 ftOne way
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The drive

This is the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The drive starts at Cherokee at US 441, milepost 469, and climbs north through Soco Gap at milepost 455.7 to just short of the Waterrock Knob spur at milepost 451. It is 17.5 miles and takes about 30 minutes, with a twisty climb.

Waterrock Knob's visitor center sits at 5,820 feet, the highest visitor center on the Parkway, with long views of several Appalachian mountain chains. The visitor center is open seasonally, and the Waterrock Knob Trail starts there. The Park Service notes that the weather up here often differs from lower elevations.

Along the way

  1. Cherokee (US-441, MP 469)
  2. Big Witch Overlook
  3. Waterrock Knob (MP 451)
Elevation
5,500 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 5,700 ft
CherokeeWaterrock Knob
Curves
Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches
CherokeeWaterrock Knob
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Waterrock Knob has no lodging or food. The nearest campground and inn are at Mount Pisgah.
  • Nights at Waterrock Knob can be chilly.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check National Park Service: Blue Ridge Parkway road closures.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Blue Ridge Parkway from Cherokee to Waterrock Knob take?

The Blue Ridge Parkway from Cherokee (milepost 469) to Waterrock Knob (milepost 451) is 17.5 miles and takes about 30 minutes.

How high is Waterrock Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

The Waterrock Knob visitor center is at 5,820 feet, the highest visitor center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Blue Ridge Parkway: Waterrock Knob, from Cherokee to Waterrock Knob