View of the Bluffs Restaurant and facilities on the Parkway

There are numerous places to stop as you cruise along the Blue Ridge Parkway from overlooks to attractions and places which offer concessions and lodging. I usually blow right past them preferring to find places off the Blue Ridge Parkway when I’m in need of something. On a recent pass through, Jackie’s lunch alarm was in the red zone so it was convenient to stop and check out Doughton Park. So what does it offer the motorcycle traveler?

Simple and homestyle, the accommodations at the restaurant match the fare.

Doughton Park is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway between mileposts 238.5 and 244.7 as the scenic roadway gets ready to enter Virgina. It’s a 6000 acre tract of parkland featuring open meadows good for seeing critters in the early and late hours. Doughton Park also offers a lodge, a restaurant, picnic areas, a campground, trailer sites, and comfort stations. There are 30 miles or so of hiking trails here and some nice views of the surroundings, a couple historic cabins (pioneer cabins include the Brinegar Cabin (ca. 1885) and the one-room Caudill Cabin (ca. 1895)), and a few overlooks. Views are nice, but not as dramatic as found elsewhere. The facilities are located and milepost 241.1.

Sandwiches reminded me of a visit to Grandma's. They were both good and ample.

We stopped for lunch so the Bluffs Restaurant was the focus of our visit. Food is served “family style” and reported to be “home style cooking”. With just one meal here, I can’t provide a review of the main meals. We ordered a couple sandwiches which were reminiscent of a visit to grandmas.  Nothing exotic, plain American yellow cheese, maybe it was our white haired server, but it sure dug up memories of what I remember from those childhood visits. I suppose it lands squarely in the “comfort food” category, and  honestly, I enjoyed the experience and it filled the hole quite well.

A quick look at the Lodge then back on the road.

We rode over to look at the Lodge but I have not stayed there. From my experiences with stays at Parkway facilities, they are vintage, but well maintained. For the price, I prefer to look off the Parkway as I can usually stay some place nicer (like the Switzerland Inn at milepost 334). For a more rustic experience, Rocky Knob Cabins are located a milepost 174.

Mid afternoon, we missed the lunch crowds. It's a good pit stop if you're trying to make time.

For your motorcycle vacation I’d categorize Doughton Park as a good pit stop. Use the facilities, get a quick meal, take a break. To really enjoy and get the full experience, the Lodge fits the bill though I’m not impressed enough at this point to label this a “must see” location on your motorcycle tour.

Blue Ridge Parkway
Doughton Park

Bluffs Lodge & Restaurant
Milepost 241
(336) 372-4499

Doughton Park is located on America Rides Maps “North Carolina / Virginia Border Rides”

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Wayne Busch - Cartographer