Blue Ridge Parkway facilities open on a staggered basis beginning in April. It should be noted that Spring is a transitional time weather-wise in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Warm days can be followed quickly by a cold front that brings the return of winter conditions. It’s important to check weather forecasts prior to your drive.
Some Parkway facilities are open year round. These include the Museum of North Carolina Minerals (MP 331), Folk Art Center (MP 382) and the Asheville Visitor Center (MP 384).
The Park Service releases the current year’s schedule in mid-March. You may download the current year’s schedule here:
2015 Blue Ridge Parkway Season Opening Schedule
In the tables below you will find the typical opening dates for all Parkway Facilities.
Campgrounds
MILEPOST | CAMPGROUND | OPEN | CLOSE |
---|---|---|---|
60.8 | Otter Creek Campground | Early May | Early November |
85.6 | Peaks of Otter Campground | Early May | Early November |
120.4 | Roanoke Mountain Campground | Early May | Early November |
167.1 | Rocky Knob Campground | Early May | Early November |
239.2 | Doughton Park Campground | Early May | Early November |
296.9 | Price Park Campground | Early May | Early November |
316.4 | Linville Falls Campground | Early May | Early November |
408.8 | Mt. Pisgah Campground | Early May | Early November |
All Other Parkway Campgrounds | Early May | Early November |
Concession Facilities
MILEPOST | CONCESSION FACILITY | OPEN | CLOSE |
---|---|---|---|
85.6 | Peaks of Otter Lodge | Mid April | Late November |
176.2 | Mabry Mill Restaurant and Gift Shop | Early May | Early November |
258.7 | Northwest Trading Post | Mid April | Late October |
294 | Parkway Craft Center at the Moses Cone Manor | Mid March | Late November |
296.9 | Price Park Boat Rentals | Mid May | Late September |
382.2 | Folk Art Center | Open Year Round | |
408.8 | Pisgah Inn & Restaurant | Early April | Early November |
Picnic Areas
MILEPOST | PICNIC AREA | OPEN | CLOSE |
---|---|---|---|
8.5 | Humpback Rocks Picnic Area | Mid May | Early November |
63.6 | James River Picnic Area | Mid May | Early November |
85.6 | Peaks of Otter Picnic Area | Mid May | Early November |
154.5 | Smart View Picnic Area | Mid June | Early November |
169 | Rocky Knob Picnic Area | Mid May | Early November |
188.8 | Groundhog Picnic Area | Mid May | Early November |
217.5 | Cumberland Knob Picnic Area | Mid May | Early November |
241.1 | Doughton Park Picnic Area | Mid May | Early November |
271.9 | Jeffress Park Picnic Areas | Mid May | Early November |
296.4 | Price Park Picnic Area | Mid May | Early November |
316.4 | Linville Falls Picnic Area | Mid May | Early November |
367.6 | Craggy Gardens Picnic Area | Late May | Early November |
407.8 | Mt. Pisgah Picnic Area | Mid May | Early November |
Visitor Centers & Areas of Interest
MILEPOST | AREA OF INTEREST | OPEN | CLOSE |
---|---|---|---|
6 | Humpback Rocks Visitor Center | Early May | Early November |
6 | Humpback Rocks Farm | Mid May | Late October |
63.6 | James River Visitor Center | Mid May | Early November |
85.6 | Peaks of Otter Visitor Center | Mid May | Early November |
85.6 | Johnson Farm | Late May | Early October |
169 | Rocky Knob Visitor Center | Late May | Late October |
176.2 | Mabry Mill Developed Area | Mid May | Late October |
213 | Blue Ridge Music Center | Mid May | Early November |
238.5 | Brinegar Cabin | Late May | Late October |
294 | Moses Cone Manor House | Late April | Early November |
304.4 | Linn Cove Visitor Center | Early May | Early November |
316.4 | Linville Falls Visitor Center | Early May | Mid November |
330.9 | North Carolina Museum of Minerals | Open Year Round | |
364.5 | Craggy Gardens Visitor Center | Late May | Mid November |
382.2 | Folk Art Center | Open Year Round | |
384.5 | Asheville Visitor Center | Open Year Round | |
451.2 | Waterrock Knob Visitor Center | Late April | Early November |