ASHEVILLE, NC (March 6, 2019) — The Blue Ridge Parkway’s 469-mile scenic drive, 369 miles of trail, 14 visitor centers, 8 campgrounds, 10 concession operations, 15 picnic areas, and numerous other recreation opportunities welcomed over 14 million visitors in 2018. These visitors enjoyed high quality experiences on and off the Parkway thanks to the vital relationship between the National Park Service and the Parkway’s neighboring communities throughout the region.
Visitation patterns on the Blue Ridge Parkway confirm that visitors access the Parkway in large numbers when the Parkway is accessible. Weather and maintenance related closures continue to be the primary factor influencing Parkway visitation through the years.
In 2018, Golden Gate National Recreation Area reclaimed the top spot for highest visitation in the National Park System from the Blue Ridge Parkway. These two parks have been trading places at one and two since 1979.
For an in-depth look at 2018 visitation, including individual park figures, please visit the NPS Social Science web site.