How to Get to Linville Caverns
The physical address for Linville Caverns is 19929 US 221 North in Marion, NC, 28752. Some GPS systems will not recognize a mountain as a physical address. We discourage the use of mapping programs to find Linville Caverns, as they may contain inaccurate or out-of-the-way directions. Please use a mapping program to get to one of the locations listed below and then follow our directions to reach the caverns. Thank you for your understanding, and have a safe, pleasant journey!
Accessing Linville Caverns
From Asheville, NC & points west: Take Interstate 40 East to exit 72 (Old Fort), staying straight off the exit ramp on US 70 East for 10-12 miles. Turn left at the intersection with US 221 (Wal-Mart & McDonald's on left), travelling north for 18 miles. The cave entrance is on the left. Approx. Travel Time: 75 mins.
From Banner Elk & ski resorts: Take NC 184 to intersection with NC 105, turning right and traveling south to Linville. In Linville, turn right onto NC 181 (Large Grandfather Mtn. sign in directly in front of you at light) and travel to the first traffic light to turn left onto US 221 South toward Marion. The cave entrance is on the right in 15 mi. Approx. Travel Time: 30 mins.
From Blowing Rock: Take the Blue Ridge Parkway South to the exit just beyond Milepost 317. Exit to the right and turn left onto US 221 South. The cave entrance is on the right in 4 mi. Approx. Travel Time: 50-60 mins.
From Blue Ridge Parkway: The Parkway enters NC at Cumberland Gap, Milepost 220, and travels south to the end in Cherokee, Milepost 460. Linville Caverns exit will be at Milepost 317. Turn left onto US 221 South for 4 miles. At times, sections of the Parkway are closed due to weather or road repairs. Call BRP Information to find out closures between your nearest milepost and mp 317 @ 828-298-0398 and follow the prompts. Information is updated daily.
From Boone & West Jefferson area: Take NC 105 South to Linville. Turn right onto NC 181 at the intersection in Linville (Grandfather Mtn. sign directly in front of you) and travel to the first traffic light, turning left onto US 221 South. The cave entrance is on the right in 15 mi. Approx. Travel Time: 40-50 mins. From W. Jefferson, take US 221 and turn right onto US 421 to Boone.
From Charlotte: Take Interstate 85 to Gastonia and exit onto US 321 toward Hickory. Then turn onto Interstate 40 and travel West to Marion. Travel to exit 85 at Marion and turn right off the exit ramp onto US 221 North. At the first traffic light, turn left onto US 221/226 North Bypass and travel straight ahead for 23 mi. The cave entrance is on the left. Approx. Travel Time: 2 hours.
From Hickory: Take Interstate 40 West toward Asheville. Leave I-40 in Marion at exit 85 and turn right off the ramp. Travel to the first traffic light and turn left onto US 221 North Bypass. Travel straight ahead for 23 mi. The cave entrance is on the left. Approx. Travel Time: 75 mins.
From Linville: Take NC 181 to the first traffic light and turn left onto US 221 South toward Marion. The cave entrance is on the right in 15 mi. Approx. Travel Time: 20 mins.
From Spartanburg, SC: Take Interstate 85 to the Chesnee Exit (US 221) and travel north on US 221, crossing the NC State Line, heading straight to Marion. When nearing Marion, watch for the intersection with US 221 North Bypass and turn left. Travel straight ahead for 23 mi. The cave entrance is on the left. Approx. Travel Time: 2 hours.
From Spruce Pine & Little Switzerland: Take the Blue Ridge Parkway North toward Blowing Rock and exit to the left at Milepost 317. Turn left off the exit ramp onto US 221 South for 4 mi. Approx. Travel Time: 30-40 mins.
From Winston-Salem & points east: Take Interstate 40 West toward Asheville and exit in Marion at exit 85. Turn right off the exit ramp and travel to the first traffic light, turning left onto US 221 North Bypass and stay straight for 23 mi. The cave entrance is on the left. Approx. Travel Time: 2 hours, 15 mins.
