Operating Hours & Seasons

From back country trails and camping, to favorite picnic areas and full service concession operations, the Parkway offers visitors a wealth of opportunities to experience the scenic beauty and natural and cultural heritage of the southern Appalachian region.


Please note, facility operating schedules are subject to change due to adverse weather conditions and other uncontrollable factors. Real-time road closing/opening information is available at www.nps.gov/maps/blri/road-closures.

 

Visitor Centers & Areas of Interest

Visitor center operating schedules are subject to change.

Milepost	Visitor Center/Area	2019 Operating Dates	Notes
5.8	Humpback Rocks Visitor Center	April 26 - Nov 3	Open daily, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The farm at Humpback Rocks is closed from noon-1:00 PM on Monday-Thursday for lunch.
63.6	James River Visitor Center	May 24 - Oct 27	Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Closed 30 minutes for lunch between noon and 1:00 PM
85.6	Peaks of Otter Visitor Center	May 3 - Nov 3	Open Thurs - Monday through May 15. Open daily beginning May 16, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
85.6	Johnson Farm	May 9 - Sept 30	Grounds around farm open for self-guided tours. Buildings open Thursday-Monday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
169	Rocky Knob Visitor Center	May 25 - Oct 28	Open Thursday-Monday, 10:00 AM.- 5:00 PM. Closed Tues-Weds.
176.2	Mabry Mill Cultural Site	May 25 - Nov 3	Open daily 10:00 AM.- 5:30 PM. Music on Sunday afternoons from 1:00-4:00 PM during summer and fall.
213	Blue Ridge Music Center	May 4 - Nov 3	Open Thursday- Monday until May 24, 10:00 AM.- 5:00 PM. Closed Tues-Weds. Beginning May 24, the center will be open daily. Visit blueridgemusiccenter.org for more information.
238.5	Brinegar Cabin	May 25 - Nov 3	Open Saturday-Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
241.1	Doughton Park Visitor Center	April 26 - Nov 3	Open Thursday-Monday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Closed Tues-Weds.
294	Moses Cone Manor House	April 5 - Nov 30	The Craft shop is open 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily through October 30; and from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM daily through November 30. The bookstore is open daily through November 11.
304.4	Linn Cove Visitor Center	May 3 - Nov 3	Open daily, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
316.4	Linville Falls Visitor Center	April 26 - Nov 3	Open daily, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
330.9	North Carolina Museum of Minerals	Open Year Round	Open daily, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
364.5	Craggy Gardens Visitor Center	April 13-Nov 11	Open daily, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
382.2	Folk Art Center	Open Year Round	Open Daily 9:00 AM-6:00 PM in April-December; Open 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM in January-March
384.5	Asheville Visitor Center	Open Year Round	Open daily, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
451.2	Waterrock Knob Visitor Center	April 13 - Nov 11	Open daily, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

 

Campgrounds

Firewood regulations are in effect. Campground operating schedules are subject to change.

Milepost	Campground	2019 Operating Dates	Notes
60.8	Otter Creek Campground	May 17 - Nov 3	Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for May 17 - Oct 27.
85.6	Peaks of Otter Campground	May 17 - Nov 3	Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for May 17 - Oct 27.
167.1	Rocky Knob Campground	May 17 - Nov 3	Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for May 17 - Oct 27.
239.2	Doughton Park Campground	May 17 - Nov 3	Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for May 17 - Oct 27.
296.9	Price Park Campground	April 5 - Nov 3	Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for May 17 - Oct 27.
316.4	Linville Falls Campground	April 5 - Nov 3	Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for May 17 - Oct 27.
339.5	Crabtree Falls Campground	May 17 - Nov 3	Open first come, first served. Reservations not available.
408.8	Mount Pisgah Campground	May 17 - Nov 3	Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for May 17 - Oct 27.

 

Concession Facilities

Milepost	Concession	2020 Operating Dates	Notes
85.6	Peaks of Otter Lodge and Restaurant	March 30 - Nov 29	Visit peaksofotter.com for operating dates and reservation information.
85.6	Peaks of Otter Country Store	See peaksofotter.com for schedule
85.6	Sharp Top Shuttle at Peaks of Otter	May 4 - Nov 3	Operating days through the week vary by season. See peaksofotter.com for details of the schedule.
85.6	Sharp Top Store	See peaksofotter.com for schedule
176.2	Mabry Mill Restaurant & Gift Shop	April 24 - Nov 1	Visit mabrymillrestaurant.com for more information.
258.7	Northwest Trading Post	To Be Determined
294	Parkway Craft Center at the Moses Cone Manor	April 1 - Nov 30	Operating hours vary by season. Visit craftguild.org for more information.
296.9	Price Park Boat Rental	April 3 - Nov 1	In spring and fall, open on weekends only. See pricelakeboatrentals.wix.com for schedule details.
382.2	Folk Art Center	Open Year Round	Visit craftguild.org for more information.
408.8	Pisgah Inn & Restaurant	April 1 - Oct 31	Visit pisgahinn.com for more information.

 

Picnic Areas

Milepost	Picnic Area	2019 Operating Dates	Notes
8.5	Humpback Rocks Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28
63.6	James River Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28
85.6	Peaks of Otter Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28
120.4	Roanoke Mountain Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28
154.5	Smart View Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28
169	Rocky Knob Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28
188.8	Groundhog Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28
217.5	Cumberland Knob Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28
241.1	Doughton Park Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28
271.9	Jeffress Park Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28	Portable toilets available in off season from late October to mid-May
296.4	Price Park Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available in off season from late October to mid-May
316.4	Linville Falls Picnic Area	April 6-Oct 28	Portable toilets available in off season from late October to mid-May
340.2	Crabtree Falls Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28
367.6	Craggy Gardens Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28	Portable toilets available in off season from late October to mid-May
407.8	Mount Pisgah Picnic Area	May 17-Oct 28