blue ridge parkway camping

Update: Due to a slow in donations because of the COVID-19 crisis, the deadline for the Trails & Views match has been extended to September 30, 2020. Just in time for the holiday giving season, we're announcing a matching grant for our new Trails & Views Forever Fund for the Blue Ridge Parkway. An anonymous donor is offering a challenge grant of $300,000 to jump-start this initiative to repair trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, overlooks, and other amenities.

Cold but dreamy snowfalls punctuated by balmy, hurry-up-and-hike days made for an unpredictable winter on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but according to the calendar (we had to check twice), it’s officially spring. Soon campgrounds, visitor centers, picnic areas, and historical sites will be ready for the influx of travelers. In 2017, more than 16 million came to experience the mountains and the communities along the way.  

The camping experience at Julian Price Park Campground is going to get even better this year with the addition of a new shower facility. Thanks to your support for the project, the new building will open later this summer at the popular campground at milepost 297 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is proposing a fee increase for campgrounds along the scenic route. As all National Parks struggle with a maintenance backlog for a total of more than $11 billion, the Parkway is faced with $500 million of deferred upkeep projects, including campground facilities and road work. There are two town hall meetings when you can weigh in or you can submit comments online. Read on for details. From the National Park Service:

Signs of spring are finally breaking through winter’s cold grip, and the National Park Service has announced the Parkway’s 2016 opening schedule and hours of operation. Time to start planning your Parkway getaways. Here’s a quick rundown.