French Broad Overlook — Local services in Fletcher

A nice Stop along the parkway but not a great view of the river. This is one of the many pullouts along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blueridge parkway is a 469-mile road that travels through the Great smoky mountains. It was designed to connect Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park during President Roosevelt’s era in 1935. This particular stop is between the 390 and 400-mile mark on the parkway, about 10 miles south of a Parkway visitors center and about 14 miles north of Mt Pisgah Inn so it offers a nice place to stretch your legs after a few miles. The pullout overlooks the French Broad river (hence the name). There are several trees between the lot and the river so there really is not an unobstructed view. There is a nice informational sign describing where you are on the parkway and the other sites within a few miles drive. There are not many locations or pullouts along the parkway that are this close to the river so this is a good stop with respect to that. If you are looking for a great view of the river, I would not recommend this...

If you get on the Blue Ridge Parkway driving west from the French Broad River, keep driving past this overlook. You do get a view of the French Broad River from here, but that's it. You are not up high at all, so you don't get the panoramas you can get driving another 20 minutes. And the traffic noise from Brevard Road is really noticeable - so don't bring a cup of coffee or a picnic. Truly the best option is to keep driving west and enjoy the many pull-offs farther along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'd recommend getting up to at least Stoney Bald Overlook parking area for a good, peaceful overlook to sit and enjoy a coffee or picnic or just a...

A lot of trees in the way of the view this time of the year. Still very pretty overlook. A bit difficult to navigate and get to. I imagined during the late fall to early spring months and this overlook would be much more brilliant view. The area is clean, not too much litter or trash. I went in the early evening on Saturday and there was...