General Matthew Parkway Park
Rate this placeNearby: Y H Thomas Park Gosnold's Hope Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
General Matthew Parkway Park is a popular destination in Virginia for its scenic beauty, numerous recreational activities, and historical significance.
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Summary
The parkway stretches over 400 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, connecting Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors can enjoy driving, hiking, biking, and camping along the parkway, which offers breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, historic sites, and wildlife.
Some of the notable points of interest in General Matthew Parkway Park include the Peaks of Otter, Mabry Mill, and the Blue Ridge Music Center. The Peaks of Otter is a popular spot for hiking and fishing, while Mabry Mill is a historic gristmill and blacksmith shop that showcases traditional Appalachian crafts. The Blue Ridge Music Center celebrates the region's rich musical heritage with live performances, exhibits, and workshops.
Interesting facts about General Matthew Parkway Park include that it is the longest linear park in the National Park System and was named after General Matthew E. Butler, a Confederate general during the Civil War. The parkway also features numerous tunnels, viaducts, and overlooks that offer stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape.
The best time to visit General Matthew Parkway Park is in the fall when the leaves change color, creating a vibrant display of red, orange, and gold. However, the parkway is open year-round and offers different seasonal attractions, such as wildflower blooms in the spring and snowshoeing in the winter.
Overall, General Matthew Parkway Park is a must-visit destination in Virginia for its natural beauty, cultural significance, and diverse recreational opportunities.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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Gosnolds Hope Park
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The Colonies Military
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Bethel Military
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