Scenic pullout · Blue Ridge Parkway
Small pullout with a clean view toward Mount Mitchell
Overview
A simple, scenic pullout at milepost 347.9, Hewat Overlook—also known as Big Laurel Gap Overlook—sits around 4,100 feet above sea level. It’s the kind of classic Parkway stop that rewards a quick pull-in with broad, layered ridgelines and, on clear days, a direct look toward Mount Mitchell.
It’s a low-effort, high-reward breather between bigger destinations like Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell State Park. Compared to marquee viewpoints, this one tends to feel calmer, making it a nice photo stop or a few quiet minutes to soak in the landscape.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy Stop HereMap
Local know-how
Aim for clear, low-humidity days to see Mount Mitchell well.
There are no restrooms or trash cans—pack out everything.
Parking is tiny; keep stops short during busy leaf‑season weekends.
It runs cooler and breezier at this elevation—bring a layer.
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Blue Ridge Parkway. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Blue Ridge Parkway audio tourRecorded for this place
Hewat Overlook: A Simple View of Mount Mitchell“Ahead is Hewat Overlook, a small pullout that's all about the view. This is a fantastic, straightforward spot to see Mount Mitchell, the tallest mountain in the eastern U.S.”
Plays as you drive up to Hewat Overlook (MP 347.9) in the Parkwolf Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“…We knew we wanted to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. The narration was impeccably timed. The facts and info provided were meaningful. Without it, the trip would not have been near as awesome.”
Guide
Expect sweeping mountain vistas with forested Blue Ridge ridges rolling away in tiers. The signature highlight is the perspective toward Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the East. On hazy or wet days, those distant features can fade, so the overlook shines brightest in crisp weather.
You’re in classic Blue Ridge habitat. Keep an ear out for songbirds and watch for passing raptors riding thermals. Deer and small mammals are around, and in summer you’ll often see butterflies working the roadside blooms.
Wildlife
1,208 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
1,020 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
2,257 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
200 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
1,126 sightingsWild TurkeyMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
255 sightingsRed-tailed HawkMost seen around 11 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Blue Ridge Parkway. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ChallengingDeep Gap Trail (Mount Mitchell)7.2 mi · 5.5 hr · 4.3 mi awayRugged high-elevation crest hike from Mount Mitchell to Deep Gap
EasyBalsam Nature Trail (Mount Mitchell)0.8 mi · 30 min · 4.3 mi awayShort, moderate summit loop through rare Fraser fir and red spruce forest
ModerateOld Mitchell Trail4 mi · 2.5 hr · 4.5 mi awayA rocky climb to Mount Mitchell’s high-elevation summit
Scenic pullout · 1.1 mi awayLaurel Knob Overlook (MP 349.2)Quiet, wide-open mountain views with a sneaky-good sunrise
Scenic pullout · 1.6 mi awayView Mount Mitchell Overlook (MP 349.9)Quick roadside peek at the East’s highest peak
Scenic pullout · 1.7 mi awaySingecat Ridge Overlook (MP 345.3)Small pullout with MST access and decent, not dramatic, views
Sight · 2 mi awayGreen Knob Observation TowerShort hike to a historic fire tower on the Eastern Divide
Scenic pullout · 2 mi awayGreen Knob Overlook (MP 350.4)Valley views and a short, steep hike to a historic fire tower
Scenic pullout · 2.9 mi awayBuck Creek Gap Parking Overlook (MP 344.1)Quiet overlook with MST access and Pisgah ridge views
Scenic pullout · 3.7 mi awayBlack Mountains Overlook (MP 342.2)Quick stop with big views of the highest peaks in the East
Sight · 4.2 mi awayMount MitchellShort walk to the East’s highest peak and sweeping 360-degree viewsParkwolf’s Blue Ridge Parkway ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
