Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
April 03, 2008 issue
Most visitor facilities along the Blue Ridge Parkway will begin opening for the season in April although the Parkway Craft Center at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park began operations on March 15.
Picnic areas at Peaks of Otter, Humpback Rocks and Linville Falls will begin operation on Friday, April 4. These are in addition to the picnic area at Price Park that is open year-round. All other Parkway picnic areas will open on Friday, May 9.
Linville Falls Campground will open on Friday, April 4, while all other Parkway campgrounds will open Friday, May 16. Some sites at Mt. Pisgah, Linville Falls and Price Park Campgrounds can be reserved for arrival dates beginning Friday, May 23, or later in the season. For more info, click to www.recreation.gov or call toll-free 877-444-6777. To reserve a camping space online, the fee is $19. A number of individual sites at these campgrounds and all sites at the remaining six Parkway campgrounds will still be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The daily camping fee in 2008 for all first-come campers is $16.
For a detailed list of Blue Ridge Parkway facility hours, click to www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/opening_dates.asp. For a detailed list of Blue Ridge Parkway concessions hours, click to www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/concessions.asp.