Date: March 5, 2007
Contact: Karen Beck-Herzog, 540-999-3300
Shenandoah National Park Announces Spring Opening Dates
Shenandoah National Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright announced that facilities closed during the winter season will begin opening March 3 and will continue to open through the spring.
Concessioner-operated restaurants, lodges and associated facilities will operate as follows: Big Meadows Wayside will be open on March 3 and 4, March 10 and 11, March 17 and 18 and will open seven days a week on March 23: Big Meadows Shower/Laundry will open on March 23; Skyland Resort will open on March 30; Elkwallow Wayside and Big Meadows Lodge will open on April 5; Lewis Mountain Cabins and Lewis Mountain Campstore will open on April 13; Loft Mountain Wayside will open on May 4; Loft Mountain Campstore and Loft Mountain Shower and Laundry will open on May 18.
Pinnacles Picnic Ground is currently open. The remaining picnic grounds will operate as follows: Dickey Ridge Picnic Ground will open April 6; Big Meadows Picnic Ground will open March 23; Lewis Mountain Picnic Ground will open April 13; Loft Mountain Picnic Ground will be closed for the season. Elkwallow and South River Picnic Grounds remain closed at this time due to storm damage from a November ice storm. Park crews will continue working to clear downed trees and limbs.
Campgrounds will operate on the following schedule: Big Meadows Campground will open on March 23; Dundo Group Campground will open on April 13; Lewis Mountain Campground will open on April 13; Loft Mountain Campground will open on May 18; and Mathews Arm Campground will open on May 25.
Visitor Centers will be operated as follows: Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center will open on March 31; Dickey Ridge Visitor Center will open April 6, Thursday through Monday then daily beginning Memorial Day Weekend.
For more information about planning a trip to Shenandoah National Park continue to explore the website or call the park for recorded messages at 540-999-3500.
