Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn is on Route 8, Parkway Lane South, right at the Blue Ridge Parkway Mile Post 165 access point, and close to the Crooked Road and Virginia’s Musical Heritage Trail. The area offers cycling, hiking, scenic outlooks, cultural heritage, natural beauty, picnic areas, music, local wines, and more.
4 Miles South of Tuggle’s Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway: Rock Knob
4 Miles South of Tuggle’s Gap you will find Rocky Knob with 4,800 acres and 15 miles of hiking trails. The 3,500-acre Rock Castle with its Rock Castle Gorge National Recreation Trail. Rocky Knob has a picnic area operated by the National Park Service. There are two scenic overlooks on the Parkway at Rocky Knob with breathtaking views of Southwest Virginia into North Carolina. The Appalachian Trail was moved farther west in 1952, but originally ran right in front of Tuggle’s Gap.
6 Miles North of Tuggle’s Gap on Rt 8: Downtown Floyd
4 Miles South of Tuggle’s Gap you will find Rocky Knob with 4,800 acres and 15 miles of hiking trails. The 3,500-acre Rock Castle with its Rock Castle Gorge National Recreation Trail. Rocky Knob has a picnic area operated by the National Park Service. There are two scenic overlooks on the Parkway at Rocky Knob with breathtaking views of Southwest Virginia into North Carolina. The Appalachian Trail was moved farther west in 1952, but originally ran right in front of Tuggle’s Gap.
11 Miles South of Tuggle’s Gap on the BRP: Mabry Mill
11 miles South of Tuggle’s Gap, at Mile Post 176.2 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the historic Mabry Mill offers a trail around the mill showing historical exhibits about life in rural Virginia, where visitors can view the gristmill, sawmill, and blacksmith shop. E.B. Mabry began the construction of the mill in 1903. It was first a blacksmith and wheelwright shop, then became a sawmill, and by 1905 it was in operation as a gristmill. Between 1905 and 1914 E.B. Mabry bought adjacent tracts of land, mostly for the purpose of acquiring more water power. During the summer and fall the tradition of Sunday afternoon music and dancing continue to draw visitors today.
https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/mabry-mill-mp-176.htm
11 Miles North of Tuggle’s Gap on the BRP: Smart View
11 miles North of Tuggle’s Gap, at Smart View Overlook, your gaze is directed to the convergence of two sloping hills creating a gunsight view of the land below, named for the “right smart views” out from the crest of the Blue Ridge into the Pigg River valley below. Originally, much of the land along the parkway was cleared for farming and offered unobstructed views for miles. Today, Smart View Overlook shows a forested area over the lowland hills. The Smart View Trail, an easy to moderate 2.6-mile loop, can be reached from the overlook and passes by the Trail Family Cabin and the Smart View Picnic Area.
13 Miles South of Tuggle’s Gap: Buffalo mountain natural area preserve
13 miles Southwest of Tuggle’s Gap outdoor enthusiasts can hike to the panoramic view atop Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve, kayak and fish along the Little River, and hike or cycle along 40-miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway. One of the most significant natural areas in Virginia, Buffalo Mountain boasts an amazing several rare plant and animal occurrences, and six significant natural communities. The combination of the 3,971 feet elevation, wind-exposure, and magnesium rich soils make Buffalo Mountain unlike any place else in Virginia.
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/buffalo
23 Miles South of Tuggle’s Gap on the BRP: Groundhog Mountain Picnic Area
23 miles South of Tuggle’s Gap the Groundhog Mountain Picnic Area has 28 picnic sites with grills and restroom facilities The large log observation tower, originally erected by the Virginia State Forest Service in 1942 to view mountain ranges and look for hazards or fires offers views of Buffalo Mountain and Rich Hill.
35 Miles North of Tuggle’s Gap on the BRP: Roanoke Mountain Picnic Area
Roanoke Mountain day use area is slightly off the beaten path. Originally opened as a campground in 1966, it is located on the Mill Mountain Parkway, a 2.5-mile road connecting the Blue Ridge Parkway with Roanoke City’s Mill Mountain Park. The campground was repurposed and reopened as a day use area in 2014. One of the nicest things about this site is that most tables have their own parking space and are a short distance from the car. Tables that do not have individual parking have spaces nearby. Additionally, there are three handicap sites with a paved path leading up to the table. These are on the back half of the main picnic loop. Each site has a grilling surface in the fire ring. There are no designated group picnicking sites. Picnic sites are on a first come first serve basis. The area is typically open from late May to late October. Never leave food out in the open or unattended.
50 Miles North of Tuggle’s Gap on The BRP: Explorer Park
Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 115, Explore Park features hundreds of acres of rolling hills, pristine woodlands, hiking trails, river frontage, outdoor adventure and a visitor information center. Soar through the trees on the Treetop Quest aerial adventure course, featuring zip-lines and challenge obstacles for ages four and up. Explore Park is where adventure begins!