National Park Service

From the National Park Service Tracy Swartout Named Superintendent of Blue Ridge Parkway 

Update July 22, 2020 - The U.S. House just passed the Great American Outdoors Act with a vote of 310-107. The bill will provide desperately needed funding for national parks and public lands. It now goes to the President for final approval. With potential passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, our country is on the verge of one of the most important legacy events to support our national parks and public lands in my lifetime. Recently passed by the US Senate on a bipartisan 73-25 vote, the legislation now heads to the House for consideration. 

The Parkway rangers are striving to keep the Blue Ridge Parkway safe while seeing an enormous influx of visitors. If you plan to enjoy the Parkway during this time, please make their job a lot less stressful by following these tips. Avoid the Crowds

For law enforcement rangers, ensuring the safety of millions of visitors along 469 miles of road in two states is no small feat on an ordinary day. Now, they are seeing a large influx of people looking to find comfort in the outdoors during this difficult time.

Dozens of community members, project donors, and representatives from National Park Foundation and National Park Service joined our staff on October 3 to celebrate the replacement of the old flume at Mabry Mill and installation of new shake roofs on additional historic buildings at the site. 

Update (January 28, 2019):  With the enactment of the continuing resolution, staff along the Blue Ridge Parkway resumed regular winter operations beginning Monday, January 28, 2019.  The National Park Service reminds visitors to remain patient as Parkway staff begin to assess road conditions on the sections of Parkway that remain closed due to debris and winter weather conditions.

Update (January 25, 2019): The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is paying for National Park Service staff members to reopen the Visitor Center in Asheville at milepost 384 on the Parkway for three weekends. The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, January 26-27, and Friday through Sunday, February 1-3 and February 8-10. We are also requesting donations and recruiting volunteers to assist with the recovery work that will be required after the partial government shutdown ends.

Official announcement from the National Park Service: