Explore This Park

• Plan Your Visit
  • Basic Information
    • Operating Hours & Seasons

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. Real-time road closing/opening information is available at www.nps.gov/maps/blri/road-closures.

 

2017 Facility Schedule

Campgrounds

Advance reservations available on www.recreation.gov starting May 15. Advance reservations may be made for camping through October 28th. Last night for camping is October 29th--campgrounds will close at noon the following day. During the last weekend in October, all campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. New firewood regulations will be effective on May 1, 2017.

Milepost	Campground	2017 Opening Dates*	Notes
60.8	Otter Creek Campground	May 5	Self-registration through May 19. Open first come, first served with through May 25; Reservations available on recreation.gov starting May 26
85.6	Peaks of Otter Campground	May 5	Self-registration through May 19. Open first come, first served with through May 25; Reservations available on recreation.gov starting May 26
167.1	Rocky Knob Campground	May 19	Self registration through May 25. Full services, and recreation.gov reservations, available beginning May 26.
239.2	Doughton Park Campground	May 5	Self-registration through May 19. Open first come, first served with through May 25; Reservations available on recreation.gov starting May 26. ALERT - Paving project may temporarily impact certain loops
296.9	Price Park Campground	April 1	Self registration April 1 - May 25. Full services, and recreation.gov reservations, available beginning May 26. ALERT - Temporary closures may be in effect due to paving and construction projects.
316.4	Linville Falls Campground	April 1	Trout waters open 7:00 a.m. April 2. Self registration April 1 - May 25. Full services, and recreation.gov reservations, available beginning May 26.
339.5	Crabtree Falls Campground	May 5	Self-registration through May 19. Open first come, first served. Reservations not available.
408.8	Mount Pisgah Campground	May 5	Self-registration through May 19. Open first come, first served with through May 11; Reservations available on recreation.gov starting May 12

* 2017 Operating dates are subject to change.

 

Concession Facilities

Milepost	Concession	2017 Opening Dates	Notes
85.6	Peaks of Otter Lodge	March 17	Full services available. Visit peaksofotter.com for more information.
85.6	Peaks of Otter Country Store	April 15	Open Sat.-Sun. from April 15 - May 14 from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Open daily from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM beginning May 15.
85.6	Sharp Top Shuttle at Peaks of Otter	May 6	Shuttle Bus runs hourly, on the hour between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Open Sat.-Sun from May 6 - 21, Wed - Sun from May 24 - Oct 1, and daily from October 2 - 29.
176.2	Mabry Mill Restaurant & Gift Shop	April 28	Visit mabrymillrestaurant.com for more information.
258.7	Northwest Trading Post	April 15	Visit goo.gl/HmvaKV for more information.
294	Parkway Craft Center at the Moses Cone Manor	March 15	Visit craftguild.org for more information.
296.9	Price Park Boat Rental	April 1	Open Fri.-Sun. only through May 11; Open daily beginning May 12. Visit pricelakeboatrentals.com for more information.
382.2	Folk Art Center	Open Year Round	Visit craftguild.org for more information.
408.8	Pisgah Inn & Restaurant	April 1	Visit pisgahinn.com for more information.

 

Picnic Areas

Gates remain open year round, weather permitting, however no water or facilities will be available after Oct. 30, 2017

Milepost	Picnic Area	2017 Operating Dates	Notes
8.5	Humpback Rocks Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
63.6	James River Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
85.6	Peaks of Otter Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
120.4	Roanoke Mountain Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19. Roanok Mtn Music Sunday Series May 28 -Aug 27 begins at 7:00 p.m.; concerts Sept 3 - Oct 22 begin at 5:00 p.m.
154.5	Smart View Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
169	Rocky Knob Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
188.8	Groundhog Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
217.5	Cumberland Knob Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
241.1	Doughton Park Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
271.9	Jeffress Park Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
296.4	Price Park Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
316.4	Linville Falls Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
340.2	Crabtree Falls Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
367.6	Craggy Gardens Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19
407.8	Mount Pisgah Picnic Area	Open Year Round	Portable toilets available beginning April 1; full services beginning May 19

 

Visitor Centers & Areas of Interest

Milepost	Visitor Center/Area	2017 Opening Dates*	Notes
5.8	Humpback Rocks Visitor Center	May 5	Through July 31, open Thurs - Mon. 10:00 AM-noon and 1:00-5:00 PM; Begining August 1, open Daily 10:00 AM-noon and 1:00-5:00 PM
5.8	Humpback Rocks Farm	May 13	Open Fri. - Tues. 10:00 AM-noon and 1:00-5:00 PM; Weekend farmlife demonstrations
63.6	James River Visitor Center	May 20	Open Sat. - Sun. 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Open Mon - Tues 10:00 AM - 4:00 with a one hour closure at noon; Open Weds - Fri 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM with one hour closure at noon.
85.6	Peaks of Otter Visitor Center	May 5	Open Daily 10:00 AM- noon and 1:00-5:00 PM
85.6	Johnson Farm	May 5	Open Thursday-Monday 9:00 AM-4:30 PM.
169	Rocky Knob Visitor Center	May 26	Open Friday.-Monday,10:00 AM-4:00 PM.
176.2	Mabry Mill Cultural Site	May 6	Open 10:00 AM-5:15 PM. Friday - Tuesday. Weekly music begins May 28.
213	Blue Ridge Music Center	May 6	Open 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Sat.-Sun May 6-7. beginning May 11, open Thursday-Monday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Live music jam daily 12-4 PM when open. Amphitheater concerts begin May 28, visit blueridgemusiccenter.org for more information.
238.5	Brinegar Cabin	May 6	Open Sat.-Sun. only, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM (including holidays); Special request programs may be available during the week by calling [phone].
241.1	Doughton Park Visitor Center	June 15	Open Thursday-Monday. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
294	Moses Cone Manor House	April 14	Open Fri-Sun 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. through Apr 27; Open daily beginning April 29. Note the Southern Highlands Craft Guild store will be open daily from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM beginning March 15
304.4	Linn Cove Visitor Center	May 5	Open Daily, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
316.4	Linville Falls Visitor Center	May 5	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 14	Open 10:00 AM-4:00 PM Fri. - Sun. through Apr 30; Open daily 10:00 AM-5:00 PM beginning May 1
382.2	Folk Art Center	Open Year Round	Open Daily, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM through December; 9:00 AM-5:00 PM 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 14	Open 10:00 AM-4:00 PM Fri. - Sun. through Apr 30; Open daily 10:00 AM-5:00 PM beginning May 1

*Opening dates are subject to change.