Waterrock Knob: Finding the Best Sunset on the Parkway
Waterrock Knob is one of the most popular overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and for good reason. Sitting high above the surrounding ridges, it offers one of the best places to catch a sunset in Western North Carolina. Most people experience it from the parking lot, where cars line up in the evening and families gather to watch the sky change colors. But if you’re willing to hike a little farther and look for a different angle, you can find a view that’s even better—and much quieter.
Views from an overlook halfway up Waterrock Knob trail.
The trail from the parking area climbs steadily toward the summit, gaining elevation quickly and winding through patches of spruce and fir. Most hikers push on to the top, but the secret is to stop just short of the summit. Along the way, if you take time to look west, you’ll find a wide-open vantage point away from the crowds. It’s there that the layers of mountains stack endlessly toward the horizon, and when the sun drops, the ridges glow gold and purple in a way you just don’t see from the main overlook.
The hike up to the summit of Waterrock Knob is paved for the first half of the trip. The rock on the right side half way up the trail made for a great climb for a 2.5 year old.
Sunset views from just below the summit of Waterrock Knob.
Shot of me and Waylon after hiking up to watch the sunset below the summit of Waterrock Knob.
When Madi and I went back in 2021, we brought the dogs with us, and that stop along the trail turned into one of our favorite memories. The summit itself is nice, but there was something special about having that view to ourselves—no chatter, no line of cars, just the sound of wind moving through the trees and the mountains catching the last light of the day.
Waterrock Knob Summit and the plane crash before it was removed in 2023.
For years, Waterrock Knob was also known for something unusual: the remains of a small plane that had crashed just below the trail. It became almost a landmark of its own, with hikers climbing down to see it. But in 2023, the wreckage was finally removed. The trail feels a little different without it now, but the views are still just as dramatic.
Sunset views from the parking area at the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center.
That’s the thing about Waterrock Knob—it’s always been about the view. The parking lot will always draw a crowd, but the best way to experience it is to lace up your boots and hike a little farther. Find that quieter spot facing west, watch the ridges fade into the night, and you’ll see why it remains one of the Parkway’s best sunset hikes.
