The need for outdoor recreation is part of why people love their national parks. Social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19 requires visitors take responsibility by making smart choices to maintain distance, even while in the outdoors. Thank you for your cooperation.
As of 10/16 at 4:30p, mp 344 at Hwy 80 to mp 375 at Ox Creek Rd is CLOSED until staff confirm the road is safe for travel.
NPS Image - First snowfall lightly covering the road, trees, and grass as seen from the interior of a car.
Did anyone else catch a glimpse of the beautiful
#supermoon
rising last night? Those frosty trees make for a beautiful sight! Big thanks to Ranger Chuck for sharing this beautiful shot from Milepost 410 yesterday.
What better
#mondaymotivation
is there than a cup of joe and a beautiful Blue Ridge sunrise? Bundle up and catch one yourself!
Morning view from Thunder Hill Overlook (MP 290.5) by Parkway visitor Jeremy Parnell. Thanks for sharing your moment with us!
A peaceful morning has broken at Sheets Gap (MP 252.8). Nothing like starting the day off with a view like this!
Photo by Ranger Wes on his morning commute.
Mother nature creates her own fireworks in the Blue Ridge! Happy 4th of July from the Blue Ridge Parkway!
Sunset from Woolyback Overlook MP 452.3 by Joshua Moore.
#fourthofjuly
#fireworks
#findyourpark
You know what they say...” if you don’t like the weather on the Parkway, give it a minute and it will change.” It’ll be worth the wait!
Photo from Craggy Pinnacle.
Good morning Parkway Lovers! Do you have a favorite sunrise spot? Share with us your best recommendations in the comments.
Sunrise from near Sheets Gap (MP 252) by Ranger Wes.
#sunrise
#morning
#findyourpark
We love the Parkway when it's wearing purple...what's your favorite Parkway hue?
Photo of sunset at Sharp Top (MP 86) by Parkway visitor Sarah Jackson.Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
Warm days + deep, blue ridges + gorgeous wildflowers = the perfect summer day on the Parkway! What do you love about summer on the Parkway?
Photo from Heintooga Ridge Road, just off MP 458.2 by Ranger Chuck.
Blue Ridge Parkway staff want to take the time to thank you all for your patience and understanding last night as we closed the Parkway ahead of now Tropical Storm Florence. Please know that your cooperation was appreciated.
#hurricaneflorence
We are asking for YOUR help to keep parkway visitors, staff and communities safe. Your decisions can help protect this place and our community.
On your next visit please take ownership for your health and that of others by complying to the CDC's guidance for social distancing.
With our constantly changing weather and high elevations allowing viewers to enjoy miles of sky, cloud watching is definitely a popular activity on the Parkway. This lone cloud certainly stuck out during a Parkway sunset this summer at Looking Glass Rock Overlook (MP 417).
Seems like the word is out...the Linn Cove Viaduct is back open and looking good! Travelers can still expect some work on-going as the contractor wraps up some final pieces of the project, but through travel has been restored. Enjoy the Ride!
The hike from Cravens Gap (MP 377) to Rattlesnake Lodge on the Mountains-to-Sea trail holds many wonderful surprises for hikers, including this beautiful swath of Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia fulgida).
#hiking
#bloom
It's that time of year when winter weather starts impacting parkway access. Plan ahead, be patient if you find a closed gate, and most importantly stay safe. Photo taken this morning...BRRR. As you can guess, the parkway is closed at this location (mp 355 to 365).
Following guidance from the White House, CDC, and state and local public health authorities, Parkway officials are increasing recreational access to sections of the motor road previously closed to motor vehicle traffic in North Carolina. Read the list at
This Friday we're featuring Linville Falls as our lesser used
#picnic
destination. Accessed at MP 316, these waterside accommodations seem like the perfect retreat from summer crowds.
It is chilly in high elevation locations like Craggy Gardens (MP 364) today. This section is currently closed to vehicles, but can be accessed on foot. If exploring today be ready for extreme cold and check the real time road map for closures in your area
Today is the National Park Service's 102nd birthday! You can participate in the celebrations by using the hashtag
#SomethingNewFor102
. What is a new experience you would like to share on the Parkway?
Photo of Rakes Mill Pond (MP 162.4) by Ranger Jeff.
With the passing of the CR, the Parkway has resumed operations. Please be patient as we assess road conditions on the sections of Parkway that remain closed due to debris and winter weather conditions. For more info visit the park website at
There is no green quite like spring green 😍. Spring is creeping up from the valleys across the Parkway. We are all ready!
Photo from near Milepost 39 in Virginia.
Picnics are a classic Parkway activity, so this month we'll spend each Friday featuring lesser used locations. This picture was taken at Doughton Park Campground, accessed at MP 239.2. Those expansive views provide the picture perfect place for a
#picnic
.
The Blue Ridge Parkway and all associated facilities will be closed on Sunday, December 9th due to winter weather. Please check back for updates as they become available.
Snow & ice at high elevations closing some sections in WNC this morning. Mt. Mitchell (mp 355) to Ox Creek (mp375) is closed north of Asheville, and some southern closures bw mp 423 and 469. Watch for daily updates on the park's road status webpage at
Wouldn't it be nice to wake up to a view like this every morning? Take a visit to the Moses Cone Estate (Milepost 294) near Blowing Rock, NC and sit a spell on the porch to be transported back to another time.
Let's
#throwback
this Thursday to last October. Who is ready for crisp air, cool temps and fall color?
Photo from MP 30 in October of 2017 by Peter Hamel.
NPS officials announced today that MP 455 to 469 will close effective immediately in order to support efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in coordination with restrictions in place from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and
@GreatSmokyNPS
Forecasts are looking bleak this week throughout the area. Although vast vistas may not always be in view, take the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the "pop" of bright wildflowers along the roadway.
Looks like a beautiful day for a road trip! If you met someone who was planning to travel part of the Parkway for the first time, what advice would you give them?
#roadtrip
#findyourpark
Photo from Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, MP 364.
Daydreaming about Parkway picnics lately? This table at the overlook at MP 95.9 provides a magnificent view and access to the Appalachian Trail. A scenic meal and a hike on one of the most famous trails in the country sound like perfect weekend plans to us.
“Just like we all take the necessary steps to prepare our home and family for this kind of storm, Parkway staff are making sure we’re ready", said J.D. Lee, Parkway Superintendent. Read about how the Parkway is preparing for
#hurricaneflorence
here --->
This is a PSA from your friendly, local Park Rangers: Your Instagram post is NEVER as important as your personal safety! Walking on frozen ponds and lakes is a dangerous and prohibited practice
@BlueRidgeNPS
. Make the right decision for your safety and that of first responders.
Drab by day, North America’s three species of flying squirrels are all fluorescent. But why?
@NatGeo
explores these exceptional rodents:
Photo by Jonathan Martin
The perfect shade for a
#valentinesday
sunrise courtesy of the Parkway! Share with your valentine on this special day.
V-day Sunrise from Sheets Gap (MP 252.8) by Ranger Wes.
A7. With over 150 overlooks and pullouts along the Parkway's 469 mile route, there are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the view and the silence.
#FindYourPark
Parkway officials are pleased to announce the selection of the park's new superintendent, Tracy Swartout.
Tracy joins the team as the first female superintendent of the Parkway from Mount Rainier NP where she has served since 2012. Read more here:
Summer is coming to a close, which has us thinking ahead.. very ahead, to winter. Snow and ice may cause the Parkway to close to vehicular traffic, but adventurers are still welcome to explore by foot
#BehindTheGates
. Another way to experience
#SomethingNewFor102
!