Picnicking

A man and woman sit at a picnic table in the forest. Yellow wildflowers line the edge of the forest
Help us protect black bears - please pack out all food and trash from picnic areas.

NPS Photo

Fourteen picnic areas are located along the parkway. In addition, many overlooks have tables where you may picnic. Generally, picnic areas are open daily from sunrise until sunset, mid-spring through fall.

You can use camping stoves and self-contained charcoal grills to prepare food at any picnic area. Fires are permitted only in the fire ring provided. Only heat-treated firewood that is bundled and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state agency may be brought onto the parkway. For more information, please visit our destructive pests page.

All picnic areas have restrooms.
 

Picnic Areas

Operating schedules are subject to change. Picnic areas are open sunrise to sunset.

Milepost Picnic Area Current Status
8.5 Humpback Rocks Picnic Area OPEN
63.6 James River Picnic Area OPEN
85.6 Peaks of Otter Picnic Area OPEN
120.4 Roanoke Mountain Picnic Area OPEN
154.5 Smart View Picnic Area CLOSED UNTIL JULY 1, 2025
169 Rocky Knob Picnic Area CLOSED UNTIL JULY 1, 2025
188.8 Groundhog Picnic Area CLOSED UNTIL JULY 1, 2025
217.5 Cumberland Knob Picnic Area CLOSED UNTIL JULY 1, 2025
241.1 Doughton Park Picnic Area OPEN
271.9 Jeffress Park Picnic Area TBD
296.4 Price Park Picnic Area OPEN
316.4 Linville Falls Picnic Area CLOSED - HELENE CLOSURE
340.2 Crabtree Falls Picnic Area CLOSED - HELENE CLOSURE
367.6 Craggy Gardens Picnic Area CLOSED - HELENE CLOSURE
407.8 Mount Pisgah Picnic Area OPEN
 
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Duration:
1 minute, 19 seconds

Join Ranger Stephen to learn about the picnic facilities open for public use along the Parkway!

 

Last updated: May 22, 2025

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

199 Hemphill Knob Rd
Asheville, NC 28803

Phone:

828 348-3400

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