A 10-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway between milepost 97, just south of the Peaks of Otter recreation area, and milepost 106, near U.S. Route 460, is undergoing a major upgrade. Thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act, the road is receiving repairs and reconstruction work. Drivers can look forward to a much smoother ride in fall of 2026 when work is slated to be complete. The detour paves the way to explore the many offerings—parks, museums, trails, attractions—in nearby Roanoke, Bedford, and Buchanan. Using this Story Map, create your own must-visit list of destinations from the many experiences and hit the road!