Devil's Courthouse Trail at Milepost 422.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Courtesy of National Park Service/A. Armstrong
Devil's Courthouse Trail at milepost 422. Courtesy of National Park Service/A. Armstrong
We are thrilled to share some good news from the Blue Ridge Parkway! Many sections of the Parkway in North Carolina are set to reopen this Friday, May 15 . The reopening is part of a phased approach to increase accessibility to recreational areas while taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  

Parkway trails are open, but please help protect each other and the park by maintaining 6 feet of distance from other visitors and practicing Leave No Trace principles, including packing out any trash. If an overlook or parking area is crowded, please pick another area to visit.

Also keep in mind that restrooms, visitor centers, campgrounds, and picnic areas remain closed. If you are planning to visit the Parkway, we encourage you to check the National Park Service’s website for any changes in operations.

Read the update with road openings by milepost.

For a map showing closures and road work underway, visit the real time road closure map .
Renovations underway at The Bluffs
More good news! Interior renovations are officially underway at The Bluffs Restaurant at Doughton Park in preparation for its reopening.

You can see the work in progress, plus learn about the history of the Doughton Park restaurant, with this Insider’s Report on The Bluffs project . In this video, you'll also get a sneak peek of the interior design and the restaurant's new logo!

The Bluffs was the first visitor facility to open on the Parkway, serving customers for its first season in 1949. The restaurant closed in 2010. Since then, there has been an outpouring of support to reopen the former coffee shop. 

Thanks to your donations and contributions from the Appalachian Regional Commission and State of North Carolina, this beloved spot will reopen to welcome diners again.
Artist Teresa Pennington is generously offering this lovely colored pencil drawing of Craggy Gardens to benefit our Trails & Views Forever Fund! The limited edition print titled Trails & Views may be purchased for $150, with half of the price going toward repairing trails, clearing overlooks, and rehabbing campgrounds and picnic areas. To give back and receive a lovely new addition for your home or office, e-mail tpennart@gmail.com or call (828) 456-4207.
Trails & Views (15"x 20") captures a scene at Craggy Gardens
With children home from school, and families striving to stay happy, healthy, and entertained, we want to introduce you to our Kids in Parks program and its new e-Adventures . These online activities are designed to be enjoy in yards, neighborhoods, and greenspaces, and make learning about nature engaging.
 
Sound like fun? Then join us for a 30-minute Zoom webinar at 11 a.m. EST, Tuesday, May 19 , to learn more about the Kids in Parks program, e-Adventures, and fostering a bond with the outdoors that can nurture children during these stressful times and for years to come.
Get the Parkway plate from home
One of the easiest ways to protect the experiences along the scenic motor road is to purchase the Blue Ridge Parkway specialty license plate. You don’t even have to visit a tag office to get yours.

This quick video tutorial will walk you through the process of acquiring your North Carolina Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation license plate. For a small, tax-deductible annual payment of $30, you can help protect the scenic route you love. Find additional info at GetThePlate.org .

If you already have your Parkway plate, register to win a $100 gift card to Mast General Store!
It’s time to test your Parkway knowledge with a Pop Quiz! Do you know the name of the mammal that has recently returned to the Parkway? At what milepost do travelers find the Virginia/North Carolina state line? Find out!
Create a Parkway legacy
Do you want to create an enduring legacy that protects the Blue Ridge Parkway for generations to come? You can do it today by including the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation in your estate plans. Learn more at BRPFoundation.org/plannedgiving or call Willa Mays at (866) 308-2773, ext. 305.
As the primary fundraising partner, 501(c)(3), and a trusted steward of the  Blue Ridge Parkway , the Foundation is forever committed to preserving the past, enhancing the present, and safeguarding the future of America's Favorite Journey . BRPFoundation.org