Parkers Gap

Total Miles
10.1

Technical Rating

1

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Trail Type

Full-Width Road

Accessible By

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Parkers Gap
10

Trail Overview

Parkers Gap trail is a gravel forest service road, running from Cave Mountain Lake to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The surface is gravel and pot hole strewn. Cell service is spotty throughout the area. Numerous side trails lead to camping spots and hiking trailheads. The scenery is beautiful during the fall and winter throughout the trail. A hiking trail to Apple Orchard Falls is accessed at two points along the road, in addition to a few roadside waterfalls.

Photos of Parkers Gap

Parkers Gap
Parkers Gap

Difficulty

Generally smooth gravel.

Technical Rating

1

Status Reports

Fmc Overland
Oct 25, 2025
2020 Toyota 4Runner
Open
Normal
Just wanted to share an update/opinion on this FSR: traffic is very light, and the views are absolutely stunning — worth the drive on their own. Although this area is listed as allowing dispersed camping, the terrain around Parkers Gap makes suitable spots hard to find. In reality, we only found one location that was suitable for setting up camp.
Morgan Burns
Jul 05, 2025
2022 Hyundai Tucson
Open
Normal
Dusty
Immaculate trail conditions the entire way from BRP to Cave Mountain Lake. Totally dry, only small potholes. FR 316 double track from Hoop Pole Gap to Skillern Mountain was slightly overgrown but smooth.
Steve Jolly
Jul 05, 2025
2019 Jeep Wrangler
Open
Normal
The trail is very easy with a very few ruts and potholes. We did not engage four-wheel-drive once. We did encounter some mountain bikers coming from the opposite direction, they were moving much faster than we were.
Tim Jordan
May 20, 2025
4x4
Open
Dusty

Parkers Gap can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • High-Clearance 4x4
  • SUV

Parkers Gap Map

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