According to Wikipedia there are ten National Parkways. The Blue Ridge is the longest Parkway at 469 miles, and Check and I have traveled the entire length, although most of our visits over the past 20 years are concentrated in the southern Asheville area. Last week we had the chance to drive the lower half of the Natchez Trace Parkway, a close second in distance at 444 miles. No other Parkway comes close to these two - the next longest is 30.5 miles.
The Blue Ridge and the Natchez Trace have a similar feel to them. Both are narrow two-lane roads that are well-maintained and have numerous pull-overs every few miles, most of the Blue Ridge's being overlooks, while most of the Natchez's are trailheads and picnic areas. Both have reduced speed limits and no commercial vehicles (read semi trucks), and with their limited shoulder area they really give you that I'm-right-in-the-middle-of-nature feel. The scenery is different, but equally beautiful. The Natchez Trace, at least the southern half, is a much easier drive than most of the Blue Ridge, without all the switchbacks, tunnels and steep inclines. Although March is supposed to be a busy time with RVing snowbirds traveling back home, we saw very little traffic on the Natchez. The drive was really relaxing.
Most of the differences between the Parkways we found at the campgrounds. The Blue Ridge has eight campgrounds that are owned and maintained by the Park Service. Last August we stayed at the Pisgah Campground, but I think they are all fairly similar: $20 per night for no hookups, with water, restrooms and showers available at most. There was a gate staffed with Park Rangers, a campground host, and everything was clean and well-maintained. The Natchez Trace has three campgrounds and we stayed at two of them: the Jeff Busby at mm197 and Rocky Springs at mm53. They were both free, with no hookups and a restroom available. With no fees to collect, neither campground had a gate or a host. Jeff Busby was in good shape, although a section with a restroom was closed off and in decay. We re-filled our water bottles without a second thought and the park overall was clean and comfortable. Rocky Springs was a little more run-down. The water was cloudy and we were afraid to drink it, the restrooms were barely functional and again, a section of the campground was closed off and quickly decaying. A homeless person or two had set up camp there, and although the one camped next to us was very nice and I felt bad for his situation, their presence could be upsetting to some RVers. It was pretty clear to see that without some serious maintenance, Rocky Springs would soon be unfit to camp in.
We were surprised that two similar Parkways had such different campgrounds. I'll never complain about free places to camp, but why would one charge $20 to boondock, which I think is pretty high, and the other charge nothing? I'm sure the government has their reasons (or not).
I was pleasantly surprised to see the recent expansion of the National Parks passed, but at the same time, the president has proposed a budget that would reduce funding for the Parks by $481 million. So, I have to ask, what's the point of having the Parks if we can't maintain them?