The Blue Ridge Parkway is pleased to announce its 2015 opening schedule for seasonal facilities and services. From preparing campgrounds for visitors, to planning engaging family programs, Parkway staff, volunteers, and partners are getting ready for a strong visitor season.
In 2015, the Parkway will reopen Crabtree Falls Campground and Picnic Area, near Milepost 339. Parkway Superintendent Mark Woods states, “On the eve of the National Park Service Centennial, we are excited to welcome visitors this year to experience the park and make connections with the region’s natural and cultural treasures.” Woods adds, “In particular, we are very happy to restore services at Crabtree Falls and open earlier in other areas. We recognize how important the Parkway is to local communities and the traveling public, and we want everyone to enjoy it as much as possible.”
The historic 469-mile motor route offers visitors a wide variety of opportunities for scenic beauty, outdoor recreation and experiences with the natural and cultural heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region. Information is available to help plan a fun and safe Parkway experience on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/blri, the Parkway’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BlueRidgeNPS , or in any of the Parkway visitor centers.
| 2015 Blue Ridge Parkway Spring Season Opening Schedule | |||
| Milepost | Facility | Open Date | NOTES: |
| CAMPGROUNDS (Open first come, first served through May 15; Reservations available on recreation.gov after May 15) | |||
| 60.8 | Otter Creek Campground | 1-May | Full services available. |
| 85.6 | Peaks of Otter Campground | 1-May | Full services available. |
| 167.1 | Rocky Knob Campground | 1-May | Full services available. Loops B & C available after June 1 |
| 239.2 | Doughton Park Campground | 1-May | RV loop and two tent camping loops open for season. |
| 296.9 | Price Park Campground | 1-May | Full services available. |
| 316.4 | Linville Falls Campground | 3-Apr | Self registration until May 1st. Full services available. |
| 339.5 | Crabtree Falls Campground | 1-May | RV loop and one tent camping loop open for season. |
| 408.8 | Mt. Pisgah Campground | 1-May | Full services available. |
| CONCESSION FACILITIES | |||
| 85.6 | Peaks of Otter Lodge | 27-Mar | Full services available; Sharp Top bus service and Peaks Country Store open May 22; 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 | 18-Apr | Visit facebook.com/profile.php?id= |
| 294 | Parkway Craft Center at the Moses Cone Manor | 15-Mar | Visit craftguild.org for more information. |
| 296.9 | Price Park Boat Rental | 3-Apr | Open Fri.-Sun. only through May 24; Open daily beginningMay 25. Visit wix.com/pricelakeboatrentals/ |
| 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 (Open Daily until sunset; Restrooms available at picnic areas) | |||
| 8.5 | Humpback Rocks Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| 63.6 | James River Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| 85.6 | Peaks of Otter Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| 154.5 | Smart View Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| 120.4 | Roanoke Mtn Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Sunday Mtn. Music programs begin May 24, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. |
| 169 | Rocky Knob Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| 188.8 | Groundhog Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| 217.5 | Cumberland Knob Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| 241.1 | Doughton Park Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| 271.9 | Jeffress Park Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| 296.4 | Price Park Picnic Area | Open Year Round | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| 316.4 | Linville Falls Picnic Area | 3-Apr | April 3 (12noon) – April 30, 2015 one loop open with comfort station; Full services for entire area available beginning May 1 |
| 340.2 | Crabtree Falls Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| 367.6 | Craggy Gardens Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| 407.8 | Mt. Pisgah Picnic Area | 17-Apr | Portable toilets available prior to May 1 |
| VISITOR CONTACT STATIONS & AREAS OF INTEREST | |||
| 6 | Humpback Rocks Visitor Center | 1-May | Open Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| 6 | Humpback Rocks Farm | 9-May | Open Sat.-Sun. only through May 24; Open daily beginningMay 25, 10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.; Weekend farmlife demonstrations |
| 63.6 | James River Visitor Center | 2-May | Open Sat.-Sun. only through May 24, 10:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.; Open Wed. – Sun. beginning May 27, 10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. |
| 85.6 | Peaks of Otter Visitor Center | 1-May | Open Wed.-Sun. only through May 17; Open daily beginning May 20, 10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. |
| 85.6 | Nature Center | 23-May | Open Sat. – Sun., Hours TBD |
| 85.6 | Johnson Farm | 14-May | Open Th. – Mon., 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| 169 | Rocky Knob Visitor Center | 2-May | Open Sat.-Sun. only through May 25, Open Th. – Mon. beginning May 28; 10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. |
| 176.2 | Mabry Mill Cultural Site | 2-May | Open Sat.-Sun. only through May 24; Open daily beginningMay 25, 10:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m. |
| 213 | Blue Ridge Music Center | 2-May | Open Th. – Mon. through May 20, 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 21; Concert Season begins May 23, visit blueridgemusiccenter.org for more information. |
| 238.5 | Brinegar Cabin | 2-May | Open Sat. & Sun. only, 10:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m. (including holidays) |
| 294 | Moses Cone Manor House | 2-May | Open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| 304.4 | Linn Cove Visitor Center | 1-May | Open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| 316.4 | Linville Falls Visitor Center | 1-May | Open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| 330.9 | North Carolina Museum of Minerals | Open Year Round | Open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| 364.5 | Craggy Gardens Visitor Center | 17-Apr | Open Fri. – Sun. through April 30, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Open daily beginning May 1, 10:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m.; open until 5:00 p.m. beginning May 22 |
| 382.2 | Folk Art Center, Visitor Information & Bookstore | Open Year Round | Open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m./6:00 p.m. |
| 384.5 | Asheville Visitor Center | Open Year Round | Open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| 451.2 | Waterrock Knob Visitor Center | 1-May | Open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| * Please note, schedule subject to change. Check nps.gov/blri for updates and other park information. | |||
Share
Contributors
