Fall Foliage 2019 Blue Ridge Parkway

Fall Foliage 2019 Blue Ridge Parkway Predictions

The fall foliage 2019 Blue Ridge Parkway predictions are in from the fall foliage experts. The experts are reporting a great fall foliage season this year. The warmer than normal temperatures this past summer along with a warmer than usual September and warmer than usual forecast for October as well all point to an exciting and colorful fall foliage show for 2019. The recent cooler nights and the warm sunny days in Western North Carolina and Virginia are already affecting the development of color along the parkway. The first area already to start seeing some color is, of course, Graveyard Fields. Graveyard Fields is located at Milepost 418.8 south of Asheville. This area has a high elevation (just over 5,000 feet) and is one of the very first places on the parkway to develop color. Reports are already coming in about the pretty and colorful show of leaves and wildflowers along this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

The fall foliage 2019 Blue Ridge Parkway season should be a good one this year. Nice weather all summer and into the start of fall should make for a great showing of color. The western portion of North Carolina is experiencing some drought conditions. Hopefully, the cold front in the forecast for the first weekend of October will really get the fall foliage show started. A little rain with the cold front would bring a little relief from the dry conditions.

Travel Blue Ridge Parkway Weekly Fall Foliage Reports and Update Are Here!

9/27/2019: Fall arrived on September 23 but the 90-degree temperatures are still here for some. By the first weekend of October the forecast is pointing toward much cooler temperatures. Those cooler temperatures at night with those sunny days are part of what starts that color development each year in the fall. The dogwood trees are already turning red but this is due to the shorter daylight and the normal growing season for the dogwood. There is also some hint of color just starting to appear in the sugar and mountain maples, sourwoods, sassafras, and black birch. Tulip poplar trees are also turning yellow.

Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage

Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage Reports 2019

 

The first areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway to show color is in North Carolina. These areas have the highest elevations. Grandfather Mountain is predicted to peak first because of the elevation of 5946 feet. Mount Mitchell and Craggy Gardens are included in the first to peak locations along the parkway. These highest elevations typically peak the first week of October. Rough Ridge will also be another location to have color by the first of October. Color then spreads and peaks into the mid-elevations usually about the second week of October.

Weekly reports are underway. Check Travel Blue Ridge Parkway for our weekly fall foliage reports. Find out where the color is, when to go, and where to go. Check out our tips page and other information about the fall foliage season along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia. We also include Skyline Drive in our reports.

Fall Foliage Season Along the Blue Ridge Parkway 

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Blue Ridge Parkway Christmas Events

Blue Ridge Parkway Christmas Events In NC and VA

There are plenty of Blue Ridge Parkway Christmas events to enjoy. With 469 miles stretching from northern Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina there is certainly a lot of Christmas events to enjoy adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway this time of year.

Blue Ridge Parkway Christmas Events

Blue Ridge Parkway Christmas Events

 

Here are just a few holiday events that will be taking place in areas near Skyline Drive in Virginia and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Whether it’s shopping, a Christmas Parade, a tree lighting or more this time of year it’s alway fun to stop and enjoy the delightful holiday happenings while visiting the areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 

 

 

  • Nov 26  Staunton Christmas Parade in downtown Staunton, VA  7:00pm-9:00pm
  • Now thru Dec Visit a choose and cut christmas tree farm in the NC mountains!
  • Dec 1 at MP  Artisan Christmas Market at Explore Park in Roanoke, VA. Saturday 9am-5pm at Explore Park
  • Dec 1 and Dec 8 at MP 382  Southern Highland Craft Guild Holiday Makers Sale at the Folk Art Center in Asheville, NC
  • Tues-Sat 9am-6pm  The Dayton Market  3105 John Wayland Hwy, Dayton, VA  A Shenandoah Valley landmark!
  • Dec 1-2  Hard Candy Christmas Art and Craft Show in Cullowhee, NC
  • Dec 3 Roanoke. VA  Monday 8:30pm at the South County Library The Roanoke Country Christmas Tree Lighting
  • Nov 29- Dec 2   Festival of Trees  at Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock, NC
  • Dec 7-8  Holiday Sip and Shop in Asheville, NC. Cider wine and cookies while you shop!
  • Dec 8 Saturday Boone Christmas Parade Boone, NC on King St 11:00am-12:00pm
  • Dec 23  Peak of Otter Lodge   Sunday 11:30am – 3:30pm  Christmas Brunch Buffet   Bedford, VA
  • Dec 31 App Ski’s New Year’s Eve Extravaganza  Blowing Rock, NC. Fireworks, torch-light skiing, and ice skating
Christmas Parades

Christmas Parades

 

It’s that special time of year. The holidays are such a special time of year. Take the opportunity to enjoy some of the wonderful holiday events . Beautiful and colorful light displays, Christmas parades, dinners, fun holiday shopping and more. Find the magic and enjoy some the holiday events the areas has to offer.  to enjoy the holiday magic! Find your holiday spirit. There are a variety of ways to enjoy this holiday season.

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Most Of Parkway Remains Closed

Most Of Parkway Remains Closed For NC and VA

Most of parkway remains closed for NC and VA. Now the NC mountains are under another Winter Weather Advisory tonight and thru Saturday morning. Another round of cold rain, freezing rain and sleet is on the way. There is a possibility of an accumulation of one or two tenths of an inch of accumulating ice plus sleet on top of the ice. This is the second round of winter weather for the NC mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway has been closed in several
areas due to the last winter weather from last week. Staff has been working hard to clean up from downed trees, limbs and road damage.

Another Winter Weather Advisory For Parkway

Another Winter Weather Advisory For Parkway

Both North Carolina and Virginia has large sections of the parkway closed. Now with this next storm bring freezing rain and sleet the parkway will probably remain closed for a length of time. Last week in VA an area between Roanoke and Mabry Mill was closed due to the ice storm, high winds and storm damage. In NC there is an area closed between Courthouse Valley Overlook and the Great Smoky Mountains.

After the recent winter weather the Tanbark Tunnel (at Mile Post 374) sustained damage by falling rock after a steel netting broke loose during a rock slide. The park service just released news that the damage has been repaired. On their twitter feed the park service reported “A Good News, Bad News Post… The good news first, repairs to Tanbark Tunnel (MP374) are complete. The falling rock in the tunnel was removed and the steel netting anchored back in-place. The bad news is that stretch of Parkway is still closed due to icy weather and downed trees.”

Here is the latest Winter Weather Advisory for Nov. 23, 2018…

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS
EVENING TO 8 AM EST SATURDAY…

* WHAT…A wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, and sleet will
develop this evening. The precipitation will transition to rain
and freezing rain then just rain overnight. Upwards of one or
two tenths of an inch of ice accumulation and a coating of sleet
may occur.

* WHERE…The North Carolina counties along the Blue Ridge
escarpment from Avery and Caldwell south to Transylvania,
Henderson, and Polk.

* WHEN…This evening through early Saturday morning.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or
freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Expect slippery
roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.

Please report snow and ice accumulations by calling the National
Weather Service toll free at…1…800…2 6 7…8 1 0 1. Leave a
message with your observation and the specific location where it
occurred. You can also post your report to National Weather
Service Greenville Spartanburg Facebook or tweet your report
using hashtag nwsgsp.

Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite source of
weather information for the latest updates. Additional details
can be found at www.weather.gov/gsp.

The current Blue Ridge Parkway real-time open/close road map show that most of the parkway in Virginia is closed as well as most of the parkway in NC. There is a short span open just south of Asheville. But with this latest winter weather tonight that section may close as well.

This guy was lucky! Iced over trees give this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway a winter wonderland appearance but the road was clear for travel. This doesn’t happen too often! Enjoy…

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Western North Carolina Winter Storm Warning

Western North Carolina Winter Storm Warning Tonight

A Winter Storm Warning as been issued by the National Weather Service for the mountains of North Carolina. Moving in tonight is another cold front and rain that will likely be freezing rain and or sleet to some areas of the NC mountains. This winter weather may bring closures to parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Freezing rain and possible sleet is in the forecast for Thursday in the areas of the Northern Mountains, the Western Piedmont Foothills west of Winston Salem)and the Yadkin Valley. There is a possibility of an accumulation of 1/2″ of freezing rain for areas north and west of Hickory, Yadkin Valley, Boone, Mount Airy, and the High Country. freezing rain can accumulate on trees and power lines bringing down limbs and power lines resulting in power outages. Travel can be dangerous in these areas. More closures to the Blue Ridge Parkway are likely for the next few days.

Winter Storm Warning for Western NC

Winter Storm Warning for Western NC

 

A few sections of the BRP is already closed. The park service made this statement on Tuesday “In the midst of multiple weather related closures at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service officials announce that Tanbark Tunnel at Milepost 374.4 is closed to all uses until further notice due to a piece of the tunnel’s natural rock ceiling coming loose.

As of now there are four different sections closed: 443.0 to 455.7 Parkway; 344.2 to 355.5 Parkway; 121.2 to 135.9 Parkway and 45.5 to 61.2 Parkway. These areas are closed due to snow and ice from earlier in the week and or fallen trees and tree limbs.

For real-time closures go to Blue Ridge Parkway real-time road open/close status.

 

 

 

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for Western North Carolina…

…ACCUMULATING ICE AND SLEET POSSIBLE TONIGHT INTO THURSDAY
MORNING ACROSS PARTS OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA…

.A deep low pressure system moving east from the plains states
will send abundant moisture into the region atop a wedge of
surface-based cold air tonight. This setup will be favorable for
not only heavy precipitation, but also the development of
freezing rain and sleet – especially over the central and
northern Blue Ridge mountains and the adjacent foothills. Heavy
accumulations of freezing rain and sleet could lead to power
outages and hazardous travel conditions.

…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING
TO 1 PM EST THURSDAY ABOVE 2500 FEET…

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS
EVENING TO 1 PM EST THURSDAY BELOW 2500 FEET…

* WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation expected above 2500 feet. Mixed
precipitation expected below 2500 feet. Above 2500 feet, total
sleet accumulations of up to one inch and ice accumulations of
up to a quarter of an inch expected. Below 2500 feet, total
sleet accumulations of up to one quarter inch and ice
accumulations of around two tenths of an inch expected.

* WHERE…Haywood, Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania Counties.

* WHEN…From 7 PM this evening to 1 PM EST Thursday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The
hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.
Recommended actions
A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet
and ice will make travel very hazardous or impossible.
A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or
freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Expect slippery
roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
Please report snow and ice accumulations by calling the National
Weather Service toll free at…1…800…2 6 7…8 1 0 1. Leave a
message with your observation and the specific location where it
occurred. You can also post your report to National Weather
Service Greenville Spartanburg Facebook or tweet your report
using hashtag nwsgsp.
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite source of
weather information for the latest updates. Additional details
can be found at www.weather.gov/gsp.

Please pay attention to the weather report and any winter weather  warnings for the area of the Blue Ridge Parkway. More closing are likely if this area does experience freezing rain and sleet resulting in hazardous driving conditions.

 

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BRP Fall Foliage Reports and Updates 2018

Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage Reports and Updates 2018

The Blue Ridge Parkway fall foliage reports and updates 2018 have begun. Fall is officially here and the fall foliage season has begun along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia. It’s still warm but the forecast predicts cooler weather this week as approaching cold fronts are bringing those cooler autumn temperatures. By the end of this week nighttime lows will drop into the low 50’s. These cooler temperatures will accelerate the color development. There are hints of fall foliage colors now in the mountains along the parkway.

Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage

Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage Reports

Experts are predicting peaks colors in the Boone area in NC between October 12 and October 16, 2018. The dogwood trees are already turning red but this is due to the shorter daylight and the normal growth season for the dogwood. There is also some hint of color just starting to appear in the sugar and mountain maples, sourwoods, sassafras, and black birch. Tulip poplar trees are also turning yellow.

The first areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway to show color are in North Carolina due to the higher elevations. Grandfather Mountain is predicted to peak first because of the elevation of 5946 feet. Mount Mitchell and Craggy Gardens are included in the first to peak locations along the parkway. These highest elevations typically peak the first week of October. Rough Ridge will also be another location to have color by the first of October.

Color spreads and peaks into the mid elevations usually about the second week of October. Over the next few weeks fall foliage colors will continue to spread and progress along the parkway into the areas of Craggy Gardens (MP 364 on the BRP) , Beech Mountain, Graveyard Fields(MP 418 on the BRP) and Watterock Knob (MP 451 on the BRP).

Areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia start to develop color later due to the lower elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. Peak fall foliage for Virginia usually happen in the highest elevations between Oct 10 to October 20. Hawksbill Mountain with an elevation of 4,051 ft (the summit of Hawksbill Mountain) is the highest point in the Shenandoah National Park. Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway area a nice way to enjoy the fall foliage in Virginia.

Visit Travel Blue Ridge Parkway’s Fall Foliage page to find out when and where to go along the parkway to see peak colors this year.

Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage

Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage

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Atlantic Coast Pipeline Can’t Cross BRP

Atlantic Coast Pipeline Can’t Cross BRP In Virginia

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline that will stretch 600 miles from West Virginia to North Carolina has hit another snag. The pipeline’s path goes thru Virginia and the current path takes it across the Blue Ridge Parkway. But that may not happen now. A three-judge panel on a federal appeals court revoked the right-of-way that the National Park Service had granted the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

Atlantic Coast Pipeline Can't Cross BRP

Atlantic Coast Pipeline Can’t Cross BRP

The Sierra Club along with the Virginia Wilderness Committee, both represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, argued that the National Park Service did not have the authority to grant the right-of-way for the gas pipeline. The SELC claims that violated the Park Service’s mandate of conservation.

A right of way of about 125 feet is needed for the pipeline. Trees would have to be cut down to make a clearing for the pipeline. In its ruling, the 4th Circuit said the Blue Ridge Parkway serves as a recreational and scenic site. The pipeline would pass underneath the parkway, but the proposed route would require removing all of the trees from a portion of nearby forest, leaving a clearing that would be visible from at least one key observation point along the parkway, “thus significantly decreasing the park’s scenic value.”

Clearing the path and some construction has been done in West Virginia and North Carolina, but not in Virginia. The Atlantic Coast Pipeline will run over 600 miles transporting natural gas from West Virginia, thru Virgina and into North Carolina. The land needed for the pipeline will cover about 12,000 acres. Atlantic Coast Pipeline once completed would move 1.5 Bcf/d of Appalachian natural gas to the Southeast. The project is backed by Dominion Energy Inc., Duke Energy Corp., Piedmont Natural Gas and Southern Company Gas.This new ruling will certain cause a delay.

 

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Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Centers

Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Centers 

Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Centers offer information, recreation and education to travelers. Along the 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway are several visitor centers in both Virginia and North Carolina. Each offer a variety of opportunities as you travel along the parkway.The visitors centers are a great place to stop, relax and take a break. The centers are also a great place to learn more about the parkway. The different visitors centers offer everything from picnic areas, bathrooms, campgrounds, exhibits, hiking trails, movies, music, shopping, snacks and drink plus more. These visitor centers also offer craft demonstrations,music events, exhibits, historical and cultural information about the local, hiking trails, wildflowers, amphitheater, books, arts and crafts, and much more.

Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Centers

Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Centers

 

Here are just a few of the many Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Centers and what they offer as you travel along the BRP in Virginia and North Carolina.

BRP Visitor Centers in Virginia

On the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 85.6 – 90.9 in Virginia is the Peaks of Otter. The visitor center offers restrooms, water, and an amphitheater. It is open May through October. Postcards, books,and other items are available in the shop.This visitors center features an exhibit on wildflowers, birds, and animals of the Blue Ridge. Nearby is the Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake. The lake is 24-acres and there is a one-mile loop trail to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

At Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 161.1 – 176.1 is the popular Virginia visitors center of Mabry Mill with the Rocky Knob Visitor Center and Campground.
Mabry Mill has hiking, camping, hiking and picnicking. Maby Mill is one of the most-photographed structures along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

At Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 213 is the Blue Ridge Music Center. The Blue Ridge Music Center is a state-of-the-art performing arts facility. It was built to preserve and promote the historic music of Virginia and the Blue Ridge mountains. Open from June through October the music center provides performances that exhibits music of the region at the 3,000-seat outdoor amphitheater. There is also an indoor theater for films and smaller performances and a shop for instrument construction.

Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Centers in North Carolina

At Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 238.5 – 241 is Doughton Park Visitor Information Station and Park Store and Brinegar Cabin. Brinegar Cabin has craft demonstrations, over 30 hiking trails, campgrounds, and a picnic area.

Northwest Trading Post at Milepost 258 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina offers a variety of craft items, books, pamphlets, snacks and souvenirs at the store. It’s a great place to see and buy regional arts and crafts and food gifts made in North Carolina’s northwestern counties.The trading post has food, drink, and handmade crafts from over 500 artisans in 11 NC counties.

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 382 is the Folk Art Center, Visitor Center and Park Store. The Folk Art Center has traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachians. The center is home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s Allanstand Craft Shop, exhibitions in three galleries, a library, an auditorium, and a bookstore and Parkway information desk. Guild artisans demonstrate a variety of arts and crafts in the Folk Art Center lobby. here are daily craft demonstrations from March through December. The Folk Art Center near Asheville in North Carolina is a great place to buy parkway souvenirs or shop for unique hand-crafted treasures from southern Appalachian crafters.

At Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 384 is the Parkway Visitor Center and Park Store. This visitors center has information that covers the entire 469 miles and history of the Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville, NC shows an award-winning film and has interactive exhibits on the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the parkway and the region. The center has I-Wall, a 22-foot interactive map of the entire Parkway providing multi-media information on places to visit on and near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Enjoy exhibits that spotlight the region’s natural and cultural diversity, economic traditions and recreational opportunities.The movie The Blue Ridge Parkway-America’s Favorite Journey is a great way to get learn about the Blue Ridge Parkway and what it has to offer.

These are just a few of the many Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Centers that are located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Each offer a wide variety of opportunities. A quick bathroom break, a picnic lunch, a long hike, a snack, shopping, educational pamphlets, music, crafts, local food and much more is available as you travel the parkway and explore the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. Make sure to stop at one or more of the many Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Centers.

Take a look at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Center at Moses Cone Manor! Just one of many great places to stop along the parkway!

 

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Linn Cove Viaduct Closing For Repaving

Linn Cove Viaduct Closing For Repaving

The Linn Cove Viaduct closing on March 1 for needed repaving. The Linn Cove Viaduct, a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina near Grandfather Mountain, is going to be closed for about 3 months. From March 1, 2018 until May 24, 2018 this portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway will be closed so the surface can be repaved and maintenance for the bridge can be performed. The plan is for the work to be completed before Memorial Day.

Linn Cove Viaduct

Linn Cove Viaduct Closing For Repaving

The detour will be from Milepost 298.6 at Holloway Mountain Road to Milepost 305.1 at U.S. 221. Linn Cove Viaduct is at Milepost 304 on the parkway north of Asheville. This also means the Linn Cove Visitor Center will also be closed. About 7 miles of the parkway will be closed as well as a few hiking trails. Rough Ridge Overlook and Grandfather Mountain will remain open. Rough Ridge overlook will be open but the trail that runs beneath the viaduct will be closed. Grandfather Mountain will still be accessible by using U.S. 221.

Gates for the work zone will be located at MP 303.6 at the Wilson Creek Overlook on the north and MP 305.1, U.S. 221 on the south end. Within this work zone area, the parkway will be closed to all traffic including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

The cost of the repaving and maintenance will be near $2 million. It is the first time in 30 years the viaduct has been repaved. The late winter timing of the project is necessary for the needed weather conditions for repaving. Plans are for the completion of this project to be just prior to late spring and Memorial Day. Tourism increases during the spring along the parkway due to the blooming of the various flowers, bushes and trees in that area along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Linn Cove Viaduct project is the first of several projects this year planned for the parkway. Other repaving and preservation projects include work north of Craggy Gardens to the Pisgah Inn to U.S. 276 (Mileposts 359-413) and from Devils’ Courthouse (Milepost 424) to the end of the parkway at Milepost 469. These projects will be done over the summer from April through September of this year.

The Linn Cove Viaduct is one of the most photographed section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is also one of the most traveled section of the parkway. A traffic counter close to the viaduct records an average of 300,000 visitors annually in recent years. Last year over 16 million people visited the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Location of Section of BRP closing at Linn Cove Viaduct Near Grandfather Mountain in NC

 

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Heavy Rain Causes Flooding On Parkway

Heavy Rain Causes Flooding On Parkway And Closures

Flooding on parkway closes some sections in Virginia and North Carolina. A cold front moving through the area yesterday brought storms, winds and heavy rain to parts of North Carolina and Virginia. Several sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are closed while crews clean up after flooding, fallen limbs, debris and other problems.  In Virginia the section closed is just south of Roanoke from approximately milepost 120 all the way to about milepost 135. Near the VA/NC state line a section is closed from about milepost 203 to about milepost 242. This area is south of Asheville, NC. The access to Craggy Gardens Picnic Area at milepost 367.5 is closed. Another long section is closed from about 402.5 to 408.5 in North Carolina . The BRP report that the “Pisgah Inn and Campground are currently only accessible via HWY 276 due to a safety closure from MP 402.7 to MP 408.4.”

Flooding Causes Closures on BRP

Flooding Causes Closures on BRP

The closures are for all traffic including vehicles, bikes and pedestrians. As soon as the cleanup is completed the sections will reopen. Cleanup is ongoing and these closures will reopen as soon as possible. Crews are hard at work to get these areas open to the public. This part of the year the parkway is a busy place due to all the visitors drawn to the parkway to view the fall foliage.

For up to date information and road closures on the Blue Ridge Parkway you can alway to the parks real-time roadmap for current closure information.

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Part of Appalachian Trail Closed Due To Bear Activity

Part of Appalachian Trail Closed In VA Due To Bear Activity

Part of the Appalachian Trail closed due to bear activity this week. For the past week or so a 200 pound bear has been causing problems in the Wildcat Ridge/Turk Mountain area of the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. This bear has been exhibiting “very persistent behavior attempting to get hikers’ food” the park service reports. On October 6, 2017 the park service had to restrict overnight camping along the Appalachian Trail between Riprap parking at Skyline Drive Mile 90 and Turk Gap parking at Skyline Drive Mile 94.2. This is in the southern section of the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia just north of Waynesboro, VA. Camping was restricted due to bear activity that involved searching for food. Hiking was not restricted and is still allowed on that section of the AT. The SNP service warn hikers to be vigilant about securing their food and snacks while in this section of the Appalachian Trail.

Bear Activity Closed Section Of AT in VA

Bear Activity Closed Section Of AT in VA

It is a known fact bears like to seek food in campgrounds and backcountry campsites. Bears search through trash cans, campsites, tents and even cars looking for food. While camping never leave food or snack items just lying around, the smell of the food can attract bears. Even BBQ grills that have remnants of steak, chicken, fish or other grilled food can attract bears. If you are hiking or camping and you encounter a bear do not run. A bear can outrun and outclimb humans. Make a lot of noise and wave your arms while backing away slowly. Do not get any closer. If attacked do not play dead but hit and fight back.

 

 

Bear Safety Tips

Keep your distance of at least 50 yards
Make noise so the bear knows you are there
If the bear starts to approach back away slowly
Do not turn your back on the bear
Do not run
Make loud noises
Do not approach or chase the bear and do not surround it
If the bear approaches you and you have no choice stand up, wave your arms, yell and shout, clap your hands, and throw rocks at the bear
Most of the time if you avoid making close contact or if you make noise this will result in a good outcome

Hikers on the Ap in the SNP encounter black bears

 

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