ASHEVILLE, NC (April 11, 2019) — National Park Service staff, volunteers, concession operators, and partners are working together to open facilities for the 2019 visitor season on the Blue Ridge Parkway; and the full schedule of operating dates is now available on the park website. Some park concession facilities and visitor centers are now open, with all other points of interest and recreation areas opening from now until Memorial Day weekend.
Parkway visitors and neighbors are also reminded this season of their important role in the National Park Service experience. When visiting any section or site along the historic 469-mile route, visitors can help protect wildlife, plant ecosystems, cultural sites, and historical areas by staying on trails and roads, packing out trash, and leaving park resources as you find them.
“The millions of people that visit us each year have a tremendous opportunity to help preserve and protect the Parkway and its resources for future generations,” said Parkway Superintendent J.D. Lee. “The protection of the Parkway, in large part, is in the hands of our users and dependent upon visitors treating this place and its resources with respect.”
Along with the complete schedule of facility operating dates, information to help plan a memorable and safe Parkway experience is available on the Parkway’s website; including regularly updated information regarding ranger programs, tours, music performances, and cultural demonstrations.
In order to address ongoing maintenance needs along the motor route, visitors can also expect several road projects happening throughout the summer season. The Parkway website and real time road map are important planning tools that provide complete information regarding road projects or potential delays.
About the Blue Ridge Parkway
The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park to the north with Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the south. The route travels the crests, ridges, and valleys of five major mountain ranges, encompassing several geographic and vegetative zones ranging from 600 to more than 6,000 feet above sea level. It provides visitors with many varied vistas of scenic Appalachian landscapes ranging from forested ridgetops and mountain slopes to rural farm lands and urban areas. The parkway offers a “ride-a-while, stop-a-while” experience that includes scenic pullouts, recreation areas, historic sites, and visitor contact stations. It is known nationally and internationally for its designed landscape as a scenic motorway. www.nps.gov/blri