Blue Ridge Parkway Announces Spring Opening Dates for Facilities and Services

NC/VA - Blue Ridge Parkway managers are pleased to announce the spring 2016 opening dates for facilities and visitor services along the scenic, 469-mile route. As the National Park Service celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2016, Parkway staff, volunteers, concession operators, and other partners are making plans for a robust season.  

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the largest designed landscapes in the country, providing visitors with a wide variety of opportunities to make meaningful connections to the nature, history, and culture of the southern Appalachian mountain region.  “During the NPS Centennial, we want to encourage Parkway visitors to explore this special park in new and different ways,” said Mark Woods, Superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway. “We want visitors to celebrate their own personal connections with this park and consider how this place will be available for future generations of visitors.”

Parkway visitors are also reminded to take time to carefully plan their visit. Considering its unique design, the Parkway drive is different than most and this can mean taking extra care to ensure a safe visit. Information is available to help plan a memorable and safe Parkway experience on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/blri, the real time road map site at www.nps.gov/maps/blri/road-closures/, in any Parkway visitor center, and by following Parkway social media sites with the handle @BlueRidgeNPS.

2016 Blue Ridge Parkway Spring Season Opening Schedule  Milepost Facility Open Date Notes: CAMPGROUNDS (Open first come, first served with self-registration through May 14; Reservations available on recreation.gov starting May 15) 60.8 Otter Creek Campground 6-May Full services available. 85.6 Peaks of Otter Campground 6-May Full services available. 167.1 Rocky Knob Campground 6-May Full services available. 239.2 Doughton Park Campground 6-May RV loop and one tent camping loop open for season. 296.9 Price Park Campground 1-Apr Self registration and Loop A only open April 1 - May. 5. After May 5, full services available. 316.4 Linville Falls Campground 1-Apr Self registration until May 14. Full services available. Trout waters open 7:00 a.m. April 2. 339.5 Crabtree Falls Campground 6-May RV loop and one tent camping loop open for season. 408.8 Mt. Pisgah Campground 6-May Full services available. CONCESSION FACILITIES 85.6 Peaks of Otter Lodge   Full services available; Sharp Top bus service begins May 7; and Peaks Country Store open April 9; visit peaksofotter.com for more information. 176.2 Mabry Mill Restaurant & Gift Shop 29-Apr Visit mabrymillrestaurant.com for more information. 258.7 Northwest Trading Post 16-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 1-Apr Open Fri.-Sun. only through May 27; Open daily beginningMay 27. 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 (Open Daily until sunset; Restrooms available at picnic areas) 8.5 Humpback Rocks Picnic Area 15-Apr Portable toilets available prior to May 5 63.6 James River Picnic Area 15-Apr Portable toilets available prior to May 5 85.6 Peaks of Otter Picnic Area 15-Apr Portable toilets available prior to May 5 154.5 Smart View Picnic Area 15-Apr Portable toilets available prior to May 5 120.4 Roanoke Mtn Picnic Area 15-Apr Sunday Mtn. Music programs begin May 29, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. 169 Rocky Knob Picnic Area 15-Apr Portable toilets available prior to May 5 188.8 Groundhog Picnic Area  15-Apr Portable toilets available prior to May 5 217.5 Cumberland Knob Picnic Area 15-Apr Portable toilets available prior to May 5 241.1 Doughton Park Picnic Area 15-Apr Portable toilets available prior to May 5 271.9 Jeffress Park Picnic Area 15-Apr Portable toilets available prior to May 5 296.4 Price Park Picnic Area Open Year Round Portable toilets available prior to May 5 316.4 Linville Falls Picnic Area 3-Apr April 2 (12noon) - May 5, 2016 one loop open with comfort station; Full services for entire area available beginning May 5 340.2 Crabtree Falls Picnic Area 15-Apr Portable toilets available prior to May 5 367.6 Craggy Gardens Picnic Area 15-Apr Portable toilets available prior to May 5 407.8 Mt. Pisgah Picnic Area 15-Apr Portable toilets available prior to May 5 VISITOR CONTACT STATIONS & AREAS OF INTEREST 6 Humpback Rocks Visitor Center 29-Apr Open Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 6 Humpback Rocks Farm 13-May Cabins open daily 10:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.; Weekend farmlife demonstrations 63.6 James River Visitor Center 6-May Open Wed. - Sun. 10:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m. weekdays; 9:00-5:00pm on weekends 85.6 Peaks of Otter Visitor Center 6-May Open daily 10:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m. 85.6 Nature Center 13-May Open Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ( with 1 hour closure at 12:00 p.m.) 85.6 Johnson Farm 13-May Open Thu. - Mon., 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 169 Rocky Knob Visitor Center 7-May Open Sat.-Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 176.2 Mabry Mill Cultural Site 7-May Open 10am-4pm Sat.-Sun. only through May 22; Open daily beginning May 28; Weekly music begins May 29 213 Blue Ridge Music Center 7-May Open 10am-5pm Thurs. - Mon. through May 23, with Mid-day Mountain Music available daily from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Open daily beginning May 26; Concert Season begins May 21, visit blueridgemusiccenter.org for more information. 238.5 Brinegar Cabin  7-May Open Sat. & Sun. only, 10:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m. (including holidays); Special request programs may be available during the week by  calling 540-745-9680 294 Moses Cone Manor House 15-Apr Open Fri-Sun 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; open daily beginning 4/29/2016. 304.4 Linn Cove Visitor Center 29-Apr Open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 316.4 Linville Falls Visitor Center 29-Apr 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 15-Apr Open 10am-4pm Fri. - Sun. through May 1; open daily beginning May 2; beginning May 22 open until 5:00pm 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 29-Apr Open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.