You are here

Blue Ridge Parkway About Ready For Spring Opening

Share

Barring a spring storm, facilities along the 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway will begin opening for the high season on April 1, with most facilities open by June 1.

The current schedule for open facilities calls for most areas to be fully operational by May 9, although the Smart View Picnic Area might not open before June 14.

“We are very happy to restore services at a number of facilities this season. We recognize how important these areas are to local communities and the traveling public," said Parkway Superintendent Mark Woods. "The Parkway is an important resource for many reasons for many people. Restoring services at these facilities is an honor for us.”

Preparations are underway now to bring water systems back on line, plan a schedule of engaging interpretive programs, clear debris from overlooks and campgrounds, hire seasonal staff in a number of operational areas, and much more across the 469-mile region.

From backcountry trails and camping, to favorite picnic areas and full-service concession operations, the Parkway offers visitors a wealth of opportunities to experience the scenic beauty and natural and cultural heritage of the southern Appalachian region.

  

 

2014 Blue Ridge Parkway Season Opening Schedule 

Milepost

Facility

Open Date

Notes:

 

CAMPGROUNDS (For reservation information visit recreation.gov)

 

60.8

Otter Creek Campground

9-May

Full services available.

 

85.6

Peaks of Otter Campground

9-May

Full services available.

 

120.4

Roanoke Mtn Campground

9-May

Available for day use only in Loop A; Sunday Mtn. Music programs begin May 25, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

 

167.1

Rocky Knob Campground

9-May

Two loops open for season.

 

239.2

Doughton Park Campground

9-May

RV loop and one tent camping loop open for season.

 

296.9

Price Park Campground

9-May

Full services available.

 

316.4

Linville Falls Campground

9-May

Full services available.

 

408.8

Mt. Pisgah Campground

9-May

Full services available.

 

CONCESSION FACILITIES

 

85.6

Peaks of Otter Lodge

11-Apr

Full services available; visit peaksofotter.com for more information.

 

176.2

Mabry Mill Restaurant & Gift Shop

1-May

Visit mabrymillrestaurant.com for more information.

 

258.7

Northwest Trading Post

19-Apr

Visit facebook.com/profile.php?id=531619223549658 for more information

 

294

Parkway Craft Center at the Moses Cone Manor

15-Mar

Visit craftguild.org for more information. 

 

296.9

Price Park Boat Rental

9-May

Visit wix.com/pricelakeboatrentals/blueridgeparkway for more information.

 

382.2

Folk Art Center

Open Year Round

Visit craftguild.org for more information. 

 

408.8

Pisgah Inn & Restaurant

1-Apr

Visit pisgahinn.com for more information.

 

PICNIC AREAS (Restrooms available at  picnic areas)

 

8.5

Humpback Rocks Picnic Area

9-May

 

 

63.6

James River Picnic Area

9-May

 

 

85.6

Peaks of Otter Picnic Area

9-May

 

 

154.5

Smart View Picnic Area

14-June

 

 

169

Rocky Knob Picnic Area

9-May

 

 

188.8

Groundhog Picnic Area 

9-May

 

 

217.5

Cumberland Knob Picnic Area

9-May

 

 

241.1

Doughton Park Picnic Area

9-May

 

 

271.9

Jeffress Park Picnic Area

9-May

 

 

296.4

Price Park Picnic Area

9-May

 

 

316.4

Linville Falls Picnic Area

9-May

Portable toilets available first week of fishing season, April 2 - 9; Full services available May 9

 

367.6

Craggy Gardens Picnic Area

Late May

Pending road construction project completion

 

407.8

Mt. Pisgah Picnic Area

9-May

 

 

VISITOR CONTACT STATIONS & AREAS OF INTEREST

 

6

Humpback Rocks Visitor Center

3-May

Open Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

6

Humpback Rocks Farm

18-May

Historic cabins and farmlife demonstrations Th. – Tues., 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

63.6

James River Visitor Center

16-May

Open Wed. - Sun., 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

85.6

Peaks of Otter Visitor Center

18-May

Open Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

85.6

Johnson Farm

31-May

Open Wed. - Sun.,  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 

169

Rocky Knob Visitor Center

24-May

Weekends only, Sat. - Sun., 10:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.

 

176.2

Mabry Mill Developed Area

10-May

Weekends only, May 10 - 24. Open daily beginning May 25 , 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 

213

Blue Ridge Music Center

Staggered beginning May 10

Thurs. -Mon., 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with Mid-day Mountain Music available daily from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Open Daily beginning May 23; Concert Season begins May 24, visit blueridgemusiccenter.com for more information.

 

238.5

Brinegar Cabin 

24-May

Open Sat. & Sun. only, 10:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m. (including holidays)

 

294

Moses Cone Manor House

25-Apr

Open daily, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. Manor House Tours available by reservation after June 7

 

304.4

Linn Cove Visitor Center

3-May

Open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

316.4

Linville Falls Visitor Center

9-May

Open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with portable toilets from April 2 to May 9

 

330.9

North Carolina Museum of Minerals 

Open Year Round

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

364.5

Craggy Gardens Visitor Center

Late May

Pending road construction project completion; once open daily hours, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

382.2

Folk Art Center

Open Year Round

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m./6:00 p.m.; Visit southernhighlandguild.org for more information. 

 

384.5

Asheville Visitor Center

Open Year Round

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

451.2

Waterrock Knob Visitor Center

25-Apr

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

* Please note, schedule subject to change. Check nps.gov/blri or facebook.com/BlueRidgeNPS for updates and other park information.

 

 

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.