Parking
Use the Bass Lake Parking Area below US 221 at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, near Parkway Milepost 294. A ramp descends from the lot toward the lakeshore trail, and restrooms are available near the access.
Overview
About Bass Lake Loop
Bass Lake Loop is an easy, roughly 0.95-mile gravel loop around Bass Lake in Moses H. Cone Memorial Park near Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 294. The route follows the lakeshore, crosses the dam, and includes short bridges near the inlet and outlet. Expect a mostly level walk with lake views, seasonal foliage, and views toward Cone Manor.
The verified loop measures about 0.95 miles; local trail directions round it to 0.9 miles. The unpaved gravel surface is suitable for many wheelchairs and strollers, although the access ramp and short bridges may feel uneven for some mobility devices. Leashed dogs are welcome on this loop. Bicycles and horses are not permitted on the Bass Lake Loop Trail.
Start at the Bass Lake Parking Area below US 221, where a ramp descends toward the lakeshore trail and restrooms are available near the access. Signed junctions connect to the wider Moses Cone carriage-road network, but those extensions are separate routes and are not included in this loop.
Why go
- Short, mostly level gravel loop around Bass Lake
- Lakeside scenery with seasonal foliage and views toward Cone Manor
- Accessible from the lakeshore parking area, with a ramp and nearby restrooms
Heads up
- The parking area and loop can be busy on weekends and during peak fall color
- The short loop offers little elevation challenge, while nearby carriage-road extensions can add route complexity
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Blue Ridge Parkway map
Full mapElevation3,560–3,648 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
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 Bass Lake Loop, 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 area
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and Flat Top ManorListen
“You're approaching Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, one of the grandest estates along the Parkway.”
Plays on the road 0.6 mi from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Cone’s Enduring Carriage Roads
- Trout Lake: A Quieter Lakeside Loop
- Sims Creek Overlook: A Classic Creekside Loop
- Sims Pond Trail: A Compact Loop with Lots of Variety
- 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.”
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.
