Best time to visit
- Weekdays or early mornings on weekends for a parking spot.
- Spring and after rainy periods showcase the waterfall at its best.
- Sunsets aren’t the draw here—despite the name, the lot itself lacks big views.
Overview
About Sunset Fields
Sunset Field sits at milepost 78.4 and functions more as a hiking hub than a classic Parkway overlook. It’s the primary Blue Ridge Parkway access point for the Apple Orchard Falls Trail and an easy jump to the Appalachian Trail. Don’t come expecting sweeping vistas from the parking area—the trees keep views mostly closed in—but do come ready to hike.
Why stop
- Direct access to Apple Orchard Falls and the Appalachian Trail
- Well-signed paths from the lot make route-finding straightforward
Heads up
- Little to no view from the parking area despite the name
- Parking fills quickly on good-weather weekends
- No restrooms or water on site
This is the most convenient Parkway-side gateway to one of the area’s standout waterfalls, Apple Orchard Falls. Trails are well marked from the lot, and you can stitch together longer outings by linking with the AT. In summer, the forested setting stays pleasantly shady and cool.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy it’s worth a stopMap
Where it is
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Full mapLocal know-how
Tips for visiting Sunset Fields
Arrive early on weekends; the small lot fills fast.
Bring all the water and snacks you need—there are no services here.
From the paved path, go straight at the first junction for Apple Orchard Falls; left or right links to the AT.
Treat any stream water before drinking.
Trekking poles help on the steep, uneven sections.
Plan your stop
Before you go
Best time to visit
2 active Blue Ridge Parkway alerts
- ClosureNorth Carolina Helene-related closuresAvoid the closed Parkway section from MP 344.2–355.3; recreation of any kind is prohibited there.Official details
- ClosureVirginia Parkway closures and detourFollow the signed detour around the closed James River Bridge and avoid the closed Roanoke Mountain Loop. - James River Bridge (MP 63.5–63.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide
Your drive to Sunset Fields, narrated.
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
Sunset Fields: A Trailhead, Not a ViewpointListen
“You're approaching a pullout called Sunset Fields, but don't let the name mislead you. This isn't a spot for big views; it's the main trailhead for the popular Apple Orchard Falls Trail.”
Plays as you drive up to Sunset Fields in the Parkwolf Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- The ‘Giant Golf Ball’ on the Horizon
- Black Rock Hill Overlook: A Geology Stop
- Onion Mountain Overlook and its Quick Loop
- Apple Orchard Mountain Overlook: Virginia's Highest Viewpoint
- 277 audio storiesacross Blue Ridge Parkway’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Elk, White-tailed Deer, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 112 trails, 232 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…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
More about Sunset Fields
What you’ll seeFrom the lot, a paved path leads to clear trail junctions.
From the lot, a paved path leads to clear trail junctions. The Apple Orchard Falls route drops through hardwood forest and mossy boulders to a dramatic waterfall with a wooden viewing platform and boardwalk at the base. If you head to the Appalachian Trail instead, you’ll traverse classic Blue Ridge woodland near the Parkway’s high country by Apple Orchard Mountain.
WildlifeThe surrounding Jefferson National Forest supports white‑tailed deer, black bears, wild…
The surrounding Jefferson National Forest supports white‑tailed deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and plenty of songbirds. Keep an eye out along the trail corridors, especially in the quieter morning and evening hours.
Know before you goThis is a day-use parking/trailhead area with no amenities: no restrooms, no water, no picnic…
This is a day-use parking/trailhead area with no amenities: no restrooms, no water, no picnic tables, no stores. The hike to the falls is moderate to strenuous with notable elevation change—trekking poles pay off on the grades.
Nearby contextApple Orchard Mountain, the Parkway’s high point in Virginia, is just up the road, lending this…
Apple Orchard Mountain, the Parkway’s high point in Virginia, is just up the road, lending this area its rugged, high-elevation feel without the crowds of the marquee overlooks.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Blue Ridge Parkway
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.
