Laurel Knob Overlook
Laurel Knob Overlook sits at 4,602 feet along the Blue Ridge Parkway, with the land dropping 977 feet within 600 meters of the edge. The view faces 120 degrees, taking in a run of peaks to the south and east: Buckeye Knob 1.9 miles southeast at 3,202 feet, Sams Knob 2.1 miles east at 3,295 feet, Narrows Knob 2.5 miles east-southeast at 3,402 feet, Chestnutwood Mountain 3.5 miles south-southeast at 3,631 feet, Mackey Mountain 3.7 miles east-southeast at 3,963 feet, Jerdon Mountain 4.9 miles south at 2,727 feet, and Long Ridge 5.1 miles east-southeast at 3,134 feet. The overlook faces toward sunrise, about 30 degrees off square with that direction, so morning light comes in close to straight ahead; sunrise runs from 06:14 at the June solstice to 07:36 at the December solstice, with sunset ranging from 20:49 in June to 17:20 in December. Asheville lies 21.3 miles west-southwest, Morganton 29.2 miles east, and Boone 44.9 miles northeast. Along the parkway, this stop follows View Mount Mitchell Overlook and precedes Curtis Creek Overlook.
What you’re looking at
Named terrain inside the view from this overlook, nearest first.
- Buckeye Knob3,202 ftsoutheast · 1.9 mi
- Sams Knob3,295 fteast · 2.1 mi
- Narrows Knob3,402 fteast-southeast · 2.5 mi
- Chestnutwood Mountain3,631 ftsouth-southeast · 3.5 mi
- Mackey Mountain3,963 fteast-southeast · 3.7 mi
- Jerdon Mountain2,727 ftsouth · 4.9 mi
- Long Ridge3,134 fteast-southeast · 5.1 mi
Light
This overlook faces sunrise — 30° off square to it.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Golden hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 07:33 | 19:41 | 19:07 |
| June solstice | 06:14 | 20:49 | 20:11 |
| September equinox | 07:17 | 19:27 | 18:54 |
| December solstice | 07:36 | 17:20 | 16:40 |
Local time (America/New_York). Computed for this exact position.
Where it is
- Asheville21.3 mi west-southwest
- Morganton29.2 mi east
- Boone44.9 mi northeast
Take the scenic way to Laurel Knob Overlook.
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How high is Laurel Knob Overlook?
Laurel Knob Overlook sits at about 4,602 feet (1,403 m).
What can you see from Laurel Knob Overlook?
From Laurel Knob Overlook: Buckeye Knob (SE, 1.9 mi); Sams Knob (E, 2.1 mi); Narrows Knob (ESE, 2.5 mi); Chestnutwood Mountain (SSE, 3.5 mi).
Is Laurel Knob Overlook better at sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise. The land falls away from Laurel Knob Overlook toward the sunrise, so at sunset the light is behind you. Exact times shift through the year; the page shows the current window.
What is the nearest town to Laurel Knob Overlook?
Asheville, 21 miles WSW of Laurel Knob Overlook.
What is the next lookout after Laurel Knob Overlook?
Curtis Creek Overlook (348.8) is the next surfaced lookout along the same route after Laurel Knob Overlook.
Drive to Laurel Knob Overlook with Byway
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Byways with this lookout
Day trips start here
- Asheville · 22 mi
Locals make it Verified.
Laurel Knob Overlook — confirmed, rated, and photographed by people who actually pulled over. A local confirmation is what upgrades a lookout from Discovered to Verified. Zero hallucinations.
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