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.

Operating schedules are subject to change in support of federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. More Info...

Facility operating schedules are also subject to change due to adverse weather conditions and other uncontrollable factors. Real-time road information is available at www.nps.gov/maps/blri/road-closures.

 

Visitor Centers & Areas of Interest

Operating schedules are subject to change in a continuing effort to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Milepost	Visitor Center/Area	2020 Operating Dates	Notes
5.8	Humpback Rocks Visitor Center	Limited outdoor facilities open	Visitor Center and historic buildings are closed. Visitors may take self-guided tours of the mountain farm grounds.
63.6	James River Visitor Center		Closed due to COVID-19
85.6	Peaks of Otter Visitor Center		Closed due to COVID-19
85.6	Johnson Farm	Limited outdoor facilities open	Farmhouse is closed. Visitors may take self-guided tours of the grounds.
169	Rocky Knob Visitor Center		Closed due to COVID-19
176.2	Mabry Mill Cultural Site	Limited outdoor facilities open	Historic structures are closed, but visitors may tour the grounds.
213	Blue Ridge Music Center	Open until Nov 1	Park Store open Thursday - Sunday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Closed Mon - Weds. Visit blueridgemusiccenter.org for more information.
238.5	Brinegar Cabin		Closed due to COVID-19
241.1	Doughton Park Visitor Center		Closed due to COVID-19
294	Moses Cone Manor House	July 16 - Nov 29	Craft Shop and Park Store open Thurs-Sun in September; Weds-Sun in October; Thurs-Sun in November. Hours 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Park store open through November 8. Other areas inside the manor house are closed due to COVID-19. The grounds and carriage trails around the house are open.
304.4	Linn Cove Visitor Center		Closed due to COVID-19
316.4	Linville Falls Visitor Center	Open until Nov 1	Park Store open daily 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closes for lunch).
330.9	North Carolina Museum of Minerals	Open until Nov 1	Open Friday - Sunday, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed for lunch). Closed Mon - Thurs.
364.5	Craggy Gardens Visitor Center	Open until Nov 11	Park Store open Thursday - Tuesday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closes for lunch). Closed Wedsday.
382.2	Folk Art Center	Open Year-round	Open Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Closed Monday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
384.5	Asheville Visitor Center	Open Year-round	Visitor Center open daily 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
451.2	Waterrock Knob Visitor Center	Open until Nov 11	Park Store open daily 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closes for lunch).

 

Campgrounds

Operating schedules are subject to change in a continuing effort to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Firewood regulations are in effect.

Milepost	Campground	2020 Operating Dates	Notes
60.8	Otter Creek Campground	Closed until further notice due to COVID-19
85.6	Peaks of Otter Campground	July 31- Oct 31	Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for May 15 - Oct 24. First-come, first-served Oct 25 - Oct 31. Closing at noon on Nov 1.
167.1	Rocky Knob Campground	July 31- Oct 31	Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for May 15 - Oct 24. First-come, first-served Oct 25 - Oct 31. Closing at noon on Nov 1.
239.2	Doughton Park Campground	Closed until further notice due to COVID-19
296.9	Price Park Campground	July 31- Oct 31	Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for May 15 - Oct 24. First-come, first-served Oct 25 - Oct 31. Closing at noon on Nov 1.
316.4	Linville Falls Campground	July 31- Oct 31	Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for May 15 - Oct 24. First-come, first-served Oct 25 - Oct 31. Closing at noon on Nov 1.
339.5	Crabtree Falls Campground	Closed until further notice due to COVID-19
408.8	Mount Pisgah Campground	Aug 18 - Oct 31	Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for May 15 - Oct 24. First-come, first-served Oct 25 - Oct 31. Closing at noon on Nov 1.

 

In-Park Stores, Restaurants, Lodging, and More

Operating schedules are subject to change in a continuing effort to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Milepost	Concession	2020 Operating Dates	Notes
85.6	Peaks of Otter Lodge and Restaurant	June 24 - 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	Currently operating on Sat and Sun	Operating days 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	June 13 - Nov 1	Open daily, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Visit mabrymillrestaurant.com for additional information.
241.1	Bluffs Restaurant	Reopening Spring 2021	Closed for the 2020 season. Please visit www.bluffsrestaurant.org for updates to the operating schedule.
258.7	Northwest Trading Post	June 8 - Nov 30	Open daily 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
294	Parkway Craft Center at the Moses Cone Manor	July 16 - Nov1	Operating hours vary by season. Visit craftguild.org for more information.
296.9	Price Park Boat Rental	May 23 - Nov 1	In spring and fall, open on weekends only. See www.pricelakeboatrentals.com for schedule details.
382.2	Folk Art Center	Year Round	Visit craftguild.org for more information and operating hours.
408.8	Pisgah Inn & Restaurant	May 15 - Oct 31	Visit pisgahinn.com for more information. In compliance with state guidelines, Pisgah Inn will be offering lodging, take-out food service, and retail sales.

 

Picnic Areas

Operating schedules are subject to change in a continuing effort to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Milepost	Picnic Area	2020 Operating Dates	Notes
8.5	Humpback Rocks Picnic Area	June 13 - Nov 1
63.6	James River Picnic Area	Reopening June 13
85.6	Peaks of Otter Picnic Area	June 13 - Nov 1
120.4	Roanoke Mountain Picnic Area	June 26 - Nov 1
154.5	Smart View Picnic Area	June 26 - Nov 1
169	Rocky Knob Picnic Area	June 26 - Nov 1
188.8	Groundhog Picnic Area	June 26 - Nov 1
217.5	Cumberland Knob Picnic Area	June 13 - Oct 31
241.1	Doughton Park Picnic Area	June 13 - Oct 31
271.9	Jeffress Park Picnic Area	June 13 - Oct 31
296.4	Price Park Picnic Area	June 13 - Oct 31
316.4	Linville Falls Picnic Area	June 13 - Oct 31
340.2	Crabtree Falls Picnic Area	Closed until further notice due to COVID-19
367.6	Craggy Gardens Picnic Area	June 13 - Oct 31
407.8	Mount Pisgah Picnic Area	June 13 - Oct 31