Tunnels Along the Parkway
Tunnels are an iconic feature of the parkway. In fact, 36% of all road tunnels found in national parks across the United States are found here on the parkway. There are 25 tunnels in North Carolina and one in Virginia. These tunnels are listed below by milepost, length, maximum height (over the center of the road), and minimum height (over the edge of the road). When entering parkway tunnels, do so slowly and cautiously. Be aware of the following safety precautions when entering and traveling through parkway tunnels.
Low Clearance
Many, but not all, of the parkway tunnels have a minimum vertical clearance of 14 feet 0 inches at the edgeline striping. If you are driving a large vehicle, know the height of it to be certain your vehicle will have enough clearance to travel through the tunnel safely while staying in your lane. Please note that it is illegal—and extremely dangerous—to cross the center dividing line of the highway. Please detour around parkway sections if the minimum tunnel height listed does not provide enough clearance for your vehicle. Download a parkway map for alternate routes.
Tunnel Lighting
Be advised parkway tunnels do not have lights inside them. Given the length and curved alignment of many of the tunnels, natural light may not be sufficient to see obstacles inside the tunnels. When entering the tunnels and traveling from light (outside the tunnel) to dark (inside the tunnel) there will be a delay in the drivers’ eyes to adjust to the reduced lighting. It is important to enter the tunnels cautiously to allow for this lighting adjustment in case there are obstacles in the roadway. Ensure your low beam headlights are on to assist oncoming traffic in seeing you.
Bicyclists
The parkway is open to bicyclists. While bicyclists are required to be visible with lights, reflectors, and high visibility clothing, vehicles still need to be aware of them, especially when traveling through parkway tunnels. Treat bicyclists as if they were vehicles. Please be aware that you may encounter bicyclists inside tunnels but they may be very difficult to see. Do not pass bicyclists inside of tunnels!
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|
Milepost
|
Name
|
Length
|
Tunnel Height at Edgeline
|
Tunnel Height at Centerline
|
|
53.1
|
Bluff Mountain
|
630 feet
|
13 feet 1 in
|
18 feet 6 inches
|
|
333.1
|
Little Switzerland
|
575 feet
|
14 feet 3 in
|
19 feet 2 inches
|
|
336.8
|
Wildacres
|
350 feet
|
13 feet 5 in
|
19 feet 1 inch
|
|
344.5
|
Twin Tunnel (North)
|
350 feet
|
13 feet 10 inches
|
19 feet 0 inches
|
|
344.7
|
Twin Tunnel (South)
|
407 feet
|
14 feet 6 in
|
18 feet 11 inches
|
|
349.0
|
Rough Ridge
|
182 feet
|
13 feet 8 inches
|
18 feet 11 inches
|
|
364.4
|
Craggy Pinnacle
|
246 feet
|
13 feet 0 inches
|
18 feet 10 inches
|
|
365.5
|
Craggy Flats
|
403 feet
|
14 feet 4 inches
|
18 feet 7 inches
|
|
374.4
|
Tanbark Ridge
|
843 feet
|
14 feet 3 inches
|
19 feet 1 inches
|
|
397.1
|
Grassy Knob
|
802 feet
|
14 feet 3 inches
|
18 feet 6 inches
|
|
399.1
|
Pine Mountain
|
1462 feet
|
14 feet 3 inches
|
18 feet 8 inches
|
|
400.9
|
Ferrin Knob #1
|
605 feet
|
13 feet 6 inches
|
18 feet 8 inches
|
|
401.3
|
Ferrin Knob #2
|
457 feet
|
13 feet 9 inches
|
18 feet 8 inches
|
|
401.5
|
Ferrin Knob #3
|
402 feet
|
13 feet 10 inches
|
18 feet 10 inches
|
|
403.0
|
Young Pisgah Ridge
|
418 feet
|
14 feet 2 inches
|
18 feet 10 inches
|
|
404.0
|
Fork Mountain
|
392 feet
|
14 feet 2 inchs
|
18 feet 7 inches
|
|
406.9
|
Little Pisgah Ridge
|
583 feet
|
13 feet 4 inches
|
18 feet 9 inches
|
|
407.3
|
Buck Spring
|
468 feet
|
13 feet 2 inches
|
18 feet 5 inches
|
|
410.1
|
Frying Pan
|
582 feet
|
13 feet 6 inches
|
19 feet 0 inches
|
|
422.1
|
Devil's Courthouse
|
721 feet
|
14 feet 2 inches
|
18 feet 8 inches
|
|
439.7
|
Pinnacle Ridge
|
859 feet
|
13 feet 7 inches
|
18 feet 7 inches
|
|
458.8
|
Lickstone Ridge
|
406 feet
|
11 feet 8 inches
|
17 feet 7 inches
|
|
459.3
|
Bunches Bald
|
290 feet
|
12 feet 3 inches
|
18 feet 0 inches
|
|
461.2
|
Big Witch
|
353 feet
|
11 feet 7 inches
|
18 feet 0 inches
|
|
465.6
|
Rattlesnake Mountain
|
415 feet
|
14 feet 8 inches
|
19 feet 3 inches
|
|
466.2
|
Sherrill Cove
|
590 feet
|
13 feet 11 inches
|
19 feet 1 inches
|