Tag Archives: national forests

Mountain campgrounds begin to reopen

Wondering when your favorite seasonal campground or roadside attraction in the National Parks will reopen? We have some dates:

Blue Ridge Parkway

Campgrounds

  • Price Park Campground at MP 297: April 2-Oct. 31
  • Linville Falls at MP 314: April 2-Oct. 31
  • Crabtree Falls at MP 339: May 28-Oct. 31
  • Mount Pisgah at MP 408.8: May 28-Oct. 31

Other facilities

  • Moses Cone Manor House at MP 294: April 15
  • Linville Falls at MP 316: April 30.
  • N. Museum of Minerals at MP 330: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through April.
  • Craggy Gardens at MP 364.5: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. starting April 17.
  • Waterrock Knob at MP 451: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. starting April 17.

Shenandoah National Park

Campgrounds:

  • March 25: Lewis Mountain Campground (mile 57.5)
  • March 26: Big Meadows Campground (mile 51.2)
  • May 5: Mathews Arm Campground (mile 22.2), Loft Mountain Campground (mile 79.5), and Dundo Group Campground (mile 83.7)
  • Picnic Grounds will open on the following schedule:
  • March 25: Lewis Mountain Picnic Grounds (mile 57.5)
  • March 26: Big Meadows Picnic Grounds (mile 51.2)
  • Open year round: Dickey Ridge Picnic Grounds (mile 4.7), Elkwallow Picnic Grounds (mile 24.1), Pinnacles Picnic Grounds (mile 36.7), South River Picnic Grounds (mile 62.8), and Dundo Picnic Grounds (mile 83.7)

Other facilities:

  • Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (mile 4.6 Skyline Drive): open Fridays through Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays), No indoor exhibits or films.
  • Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51 Skyline Drive)
  • Open 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., No indoor exhibits or films.

The restaurants, lodges, and associated facilities operated by the park concessioner, Delaware North, open as follows: read more

GetOut! Your Friday Nudge for Weekend Adventure

That rain that moved through the region yesterday ushered in a cool front that will drop temperatures into the low 80s throughout much of GetGoingNC’s adventure land, ideal weather for some weekend adventure. There may be a rogue thunderstorm or two Sunday afternoon, but by-and-large, pretty delightful weather.  read more

Hike where the horses do

Hiking trails continue to be over-run. Thank the run of great weather (OK, there’s been a little rain here and there) and a lack of other recreational options during the age of Coronavirus for that.

But this overcrowding is more of a situation for trails intended for two feet. What about all the trails built for four? read more

Four N.C. State Parks close trails; Let’s work to keep more from closing

Sunday evening, North Carolina State Parks posted a notice that four parks — Crowders Mountain, Hanging Rock, Lake Waccamaw and Raven Rock — were closed as of sunset. By morning, that post was already outdated, with Morrow Mountains State Park joining the list. read more