The Parkway extends 469 miles from its terminus in Rockfish Gap, Virginia, to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, North Carolina. Each mile brings new surprises, as the traveler encounters forests, barrens, and breath-taking panoramas. Ranger and naturalist William Lord takes the interested reader through the Blue Ridge, mile by mile, mountain by mountain, as he describes the wonders of wildlife that abound in this National Park. Simple illustrations show the difference between the red oak and scarlet oak, or let the reader see what a wild turkey looks like close up. With the Blue Ridge Parkway Guide, even first-time visitors to this beautiful region will be able to enjoy the wonder of this unit of the National Park System as they learn the folklore and history of each town along the way. From Shenandoah Valley to the spectacular whitewater gorge of the Nantahala, this guide gives both the novice traveler and the experienced explorer another reason to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway once again.