Dear Friends,
More than ever, we are all in this together. For decades, the Blue Ridge Parkway has been our outdoor playground, our link to mountain history and culture, and our place to connect with nature. But this is an unprecedented time.
The National Park Service has made the difficult decision to close many sections of the Parkway that are seeing high visitation. (See the complete list of newly announced closures.) Keeping each other and our communities safe is what matters most right now.
For now, we will miss visiting many of our favorite places, but we are protecting our park for the promise of visits to come. This is what you, as a member of our Community of Stewards, have always done through your unwavering support for the Parkway. We can’t thank you enough for ensuring this national park’s lasting legacy.
Our work at the Foundation continues. We are moving forward, safely, with plans to reopen the treasured Bluffs Restaurant and to restore Flat Top Manor, the historical centerpiece of Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. When the park reopens, there may be new ways we are called upon to help our park, and we will, together.
Along the motor road, there is always another breathtaking vista ahead. The same is true now. There will be days to come filled with re-energizing hikes, picnics with family and friends, camp-outs under the stars, and leisurely drives.
The Parkway will be waiting for you when it is safe to return and experience all the joys it offers.
Be well. Be safe.
-Carolyn Ward, CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
Additional closures announced on April 15, 2020.
As states and counties implement emergency precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19, portions of the parkway that run through those areas may be need to closed. Current closures:
- Milepost 0-13 Road closed
- Milepost 85.9 Peaks of Otter Visitor Center and Sharp Top Parking Areas closed
- Milepost 92.5 Sharp Top Parking Widening closed at Appalachian Trail crossing
- Milepost 292-294.5 Road closed near Blowing Rock, including Moses Cone Parking Area and Hwy 221 Bass Lake Parking Lot.
- Milepost 294.5-296.4 Road closed, including Price Park Picnic Area
- Milepost 298.6-305 Road closed through Grandfather Mountain area, including Rough Ridge and Linn Cove Viaduct
- Milepost 305-308 Road closed
- Milepost 316.4 Linville Falls Spur Road closed, including parking at Linville Falls trailheads
- Milepost 334-342 Road closed, including Crabtree Falls Area, near Little Switzerland, NC
- Milepost 355-375.6 Road closed from Mt. Mitchell to Ox Creek, including Craggy Gardens
- Milepost 377.4 Parking areas closed at Craven Gap (Town Mountain Rd) for MST Trail access
- Milepost 384.7 Roadside parking closed at MST Trailheads at US 74A Parkway access ramps
- Milepost 393-469 Road closed from French Broad River Overlook to Southern Terminus of Parkway
Complete list of closures can be found here.