UPDATE 10-17-13: Blue Ridge Parkway Deputy Superintendent Monica Mayr has confirmed that all previously open Parkway facilities are open again following the resolution to the government shut-down. Most facilities will close again for the winter on October 28 according to their normal closing schedule. See this post for details.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is open, but with Park Service websites down and staff furloughed, we are relying on users for new information related to Parkway features accessibility. (Blue Ridge Parkway Daily is not affiliated with the National Park Service.)
Please use the comments section of this post to report on accessibility of trails, overlooks, pull-offs, bathrooms, etc. Of course, any time a section of the Parkway itself is closed off, please let us know. Reference mileposts when possible. Refer to this map for help with mileposts.
On Tuesday morning, October 1, Blue Ridge Parkway Deputy Superintendent Monika Mayr confirmed that “the motor road will remain open” and Visitor Centers (including bathrooms) and Campgrounds will close. Most Parkway staff have been furloughed, but law enforcement staff continue to work to keep the Parkway safe.
On Tuesday, October 8, residents in the Linville Falls area confirmed that access to the Falls is possible via Highway 183. See this post for a map and details.
Our daily calculation of Blue Ridge Parkway Open Percentage is based on the NPS real-time road closure map which is currently down. So we need your hep to report this number accurately. If you visit the Parkway and see a road closure, please report with a comment.
Many areas adjacent to The Parkway are private, state, or US Forest Service land and it is unclear at this time which trails and other attractions are accessible. If you visit the Parkway in the coming days, please leave a comment here with your report to help other visitors plan their trips.
Of note, Mount Mitchell is a state park area and is accessible for hiking, explorations, and bathrooms at Milepost 355. Grandfather Mountain is a combination of state and private land and is open at Milepost 305.
If you have updated information on closings and access in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) or Shenandoah National Park (The Parkway connects the two), please leave comments here as well. It is our understanding that all roads and trails inside GSMNP are closed with the exception of Hwy 441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee and the Gatlinburg Bypass. Read about some great GSMNP alternatives if you were planning to visit the Smokies in the coming days. Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park is closed.
If you would like to report on leaf color along the Parkway, please use the comment section of our Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Colors Tracker. We will update the graphic portion of the tracker each Thursday through the end of October.
Thanks for contributing to this community of fans of the Blue Ridge. Your comments add to the enjoyment of others.
Happy Fall Yall!