Beautiful view looking down on the Blue Ridge Parkway. North Carolina, USA – Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Blue Ridge Parkway is increasing recreational access at many park picnic areas and restrooms. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning June 13, 2020, the Blue Ridge Parkway will reopen access to Picnic Areas, including restroom facilities, at the following locations:  

Virginia:

Humpback Rocks Picnic Area, Milepost 8.5

James River Picnic Area, Milepost 63.6

Peaks of Otter Picnic Area, Milepost 85.9

North Carolina:

Cumberland Knob Picnic Area, Milepost 217.5

Doughton Park Picnic Area, Milepost 241.1

Jeffress Park Picnic Area, Milepost 271.9

Price Park Picnic Area, Milepost 296.4

Linville Falls Picnic Area, 316.4

Craggy Gardens Picnic Area,