Jumpinoff Rock — Attraction in West Jefferson

Traveling along the Blue Ridge Parkway on the southern edge of Ashe County in North Carolina you'll find the overlook known as Jumpinoff Rock. Initially this may look like most of the other overlooks on the parkway with a nice view and a few picnic tables but this spot has a short 1/2 mile kid/pet friendly trail that leads to a nice view that is generally less visited. It is a good location to visit on the Blue Ridge Parkway if you want an easy, pleasant stroll through the woods along with a nice and quiet view.

Jumpinoff Rock overlook is located at milepost 260.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 16 miles North of where the Parkway intersects Highway 421. Like all of the overlooks on the parkway there is always a sign indicating the name of the overlook. The parking area at Jumpinoff Rock is moderately sized and is more than adequate for most days. The Jumpinoff Rock Overlook is about 20 minutes from West Jefferson North Carolina or 30 minutes from Wilkesboro North Carolina. There are no restroom facilities at the overlook.

Jumpinoff Rock Overlook follows the same style and looks like most overlooks but it does have picnic tables on both ends of the overlook. It also serves as a brief host to the Mountains to Sea Trail, like many of the other overlooks.

Follow the few steps up and past the picnic table on the right side of the overlook and pick up the trail, an easy hike which has a mild ascent up the ridge and walk through the woods to the overlook. The trail is also in great shape and has white blazes to mark the way.

At about 3/4’s of the way to the lookout the trail will start a slight descent. Shortly after this the trail will split with a short trail heading left to Jumpinoff Rock. There are also two white blazes to look for on a tree.

Take the trail to the left and in just about 50 feet you will be at Jumpinoff Rock.

It is a small overlook on top of a steep section of the ridge with a 180 degree east facing view. It is a nice peaceful spot in the forest that will likely be very quiet and feel very remote. If you are lucky you might even have the lookout to yourself as most people drive by and don’t even know this place exists.

This is an out and back hike so when you have finished you'll have walked about a mile. It's an easy...

"Laura & Preston", Jumpinoff Rock, April 2004 estimated... I never pass this overlook without remembering when my Laura (Laura Hill King, of High Point, NC... 1957 - 2014) and I rode the "Wolfpack Bike" up from High Point for a near-perfect early spring day of riding the Parkway and "just being together". We snapped photos of each other sitting on the bike, as we were the only ones there at that moment, as I recall. How much I would give to be here again with the love of my life, who I - and all of us - lost in May of 2014, suddenly and without warning. A beautiful spot, here, that I've solemnly, thoughtfully yet sadly visited several times, "just to remember", since then. Thanks for letting me share this little remembrance........... Preston D....

There is no sign in the parking lot at Jumpinoff Rock of where the hike begins but the path on the right was pretty obvious. I give this only 4 stars because of the way it was categorized as an easy hike. This is not an “easy” hike since it is on a slope going up most of the time. Easier coming back that’s for sure. The view at the end was spectacular but it’s the same view as in the parking lot. It was still a...