The budget battle in Washington is having an impact on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Some popular spots along the scenic highway won't be opening this year, unless Congress reverses some of the automatic cuts that kicked in March 1st.
The parkway is cutting 784-thousand dollars from its budget, a 5 percent reduction in spending. With the cuts coming this late in the fiscal year, Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis says the cuts will have the same effect as a 10 percent reduction.
Francis says the impact will be felt in a variety of ways, including a hiring freeze, delayed maintenance, fewer seasonal workers and interpretive programs, and some closures.
In Virginia, the list of sites that won't open include: Otter Creek Campground, James River Visitor Center and Picnic Area, Roanoke Mountain Campground, Smart View Picnic Area and the Rocky Knob Visitor Center.
"I hope people will come," Francis said in an interview Thursday morning. "I hope people will be respectful and provide assistance as we try to maintain this wonderful national treasure," he told us. "And I hope people will be patient with us. We're going to be doing the best we can, but we're going to have fewer of us to do that."
Following is a Blue Ridge Parkway schedule for the 2013 season:
Blue Ridge Parkway Releases 2013 Season Opening Schedule
ASHEVILLE, NC: The Blue Ridge Parkway is pleased to announce its 2013 season opening schedule. Because of the five percent budget reduction that is in place as a result of the current federally mandated sequestration, the Parkway is unable to hire its full complement of seasonal employees. Therefore park visitors will notice some facility closures and reduced hours and services in some areas. The current opening schedule for those facilities that will open this year, calls for these areas to be fully operational by May 24. We regret that reductions to our usual visitor service may cause some inconvenience for park visitors and will keep the public informed if the situation changes. As a unit of the National Park Service, the Blue Ridge Parkway remains committed to its mission to serve the public and preserve our nation’s resources for future generations.
The full schedule follows:
|
Milepost |
Facility |
Open Date |
Notes: |
|
CAMPGROUNDS (For reservation information visit recreation.gov) |
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|
60.8 |
Otter Creek Campground |
CLOSED |
|
|
85.6 |
Peaks of Otter Campground |
24-May |
Three loops open for season. |
|
120.4 |
Roanoke Mountain Campground |
CLOSED |
Plans to accommodate Sunday afternoon Mountain Music Series in development. |
|
167.1 |
Rocky Knob Campground |
24-May |
Two loops open for season. |
|
239.2 |
Doughton Park Campground |
24-May |
RV loop and one tent camping loop open for season. |
|
296.9 |
Price Park Campground |
24-May |
All sites open. |
|
316.4 |
Linville Falls Campground |
24-May |
All sites open. |
|
339.5 |
Crabtree Falls Campground |
CLOSED |
|
|
408.8 |
Mt. Pisgah Campground |
24-May |
All sites open. |
|
CONCESSION FACILITIES |
|
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|
60.8 |
Otter Creek Restaurant |
CLOSED |
Pending concession contract; Portable toilets available for the month of April fishing season. |
|
85.6 |
Peaks of Otter Lodge |
CLOSED |
Pending concession contract; early summer opening TBD. |
|
169 |
Rocky Knob Rental Cabins |
CLOSED |
Pending completion of facility repairs. |
|
176.2 |
Mabry Mill Restaurant |
1-May |
Visit mabrymillrestaurant.com for more information. |
|
239.2 |
Bluffs Lodge/Restaurant |
CLOSED |
Pending concession contract. |
|
258.7 |
Northwest Trading Post |
CLOSED |
Pending concession contract; early summer opening TBD. |
|
294 |
Parkway Craft Center at the Moses Cone Manor |
15-Mar |
Visit southernhighlandguild.org for more information. |
|
296.9 |
Price Park Boat Rental |
Staggered, beginning April 6 |
Visit pricelakeboatrentals.wix.com/blueridgeparkway#! for more information. |
|
382.2 |
Folk Art Center |
Open Year Round |
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m./6:00 p.m.; Visitsouthernhighlandguild.org for more information. |
|
408.8 |
Pisgah Inn & Restaurant |
1-Apr |
Visit pisgahinn.com for more information. |
|
PICNIC AREAS (Restrooms available at picnic areas, with exceptions noted below) |
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|
8.5 |
Humpback Rocks Picnic Area |
24-May |
|
|
63.6 |
James River Picnic Area |
CLOSED |
|
|
85.6 |
Peaks of Otter Picnic Area |
24-May |
|
|
154.5 |
Smart View Picnic Area |
CLOSED |
|
|
169 |
Rocky Knob Picnic Area |
24-May |
|
|
188.8 |
Groundhog Picnic Area |
24-May |
|
|
217.5 |
Cumberland Knob Picnic Area |
24-May |
|
|
241.1 |
Doughton Park Picnic Area |
CLOSED |
|
|
271.9 |
Jefferies Park Picnic Area |
CLOSED |
Trailhead access open; Portable toilets available in parking lot. |
|
296.4 |
Price Park Picnic Area |
24-May |
|
|
316.4 |
Linville Falls Picnic Area |
5-Apr |
Portable toilets available for fishing season; Restrooms open May 24. |
|
340.2 |
Crabtree Falls Picnic Area |
CLOSED |
|
|
367.6 |
Craggy Gardens Picnic Area |
26-Apr |
Portable toilets available until May 24 when restrooms open. |
|
407.8 |
Mt. Pisgah Picnic Area |
24-May |
|
|
VISITOR CONTACT STATIONS & AREAS OF INTEREST |
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|
6 |
Humpback Rocks Visitor Center |
3-May |
Open Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Portable toilets available until May 24 when restrooms open. |
|
6 |
Humpback Rocks Farm |
24-May |
Historic cabins open Th. – Mon.; Farm life demonstrations offered Sat. and Sun. |
|
63.6 |
James River Visitor Center |
CLOSED |
|
|
85.6 |
Peaks of Otter Visitor Center |
24-May |
Open Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
|
85.6 |
Peaks of Otter Nature Center |
24-May |
Open Sat. & Sun. only, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
|
85.6 |
Johnson Farm |
24-May |
Open Th. - Mon. only, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. |
|
169 |
Rocky Knob Visitor Center |
CLOSED |
|
|
176.2 |
Mabry Mill Developed Area |
24-May |
Historic Cabins Open Daily, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
|
213 |
Blue Ridge Music Center |
Staggered, beginning May 4 |
From May 4, Thu. - Mon., 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with Mid-Day Mountain Music available Th. - Mon., 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.; From May 24, Open Daily, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with Mid-day Mountain Music available daily from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Concert Season begins May 24, visit blueridgemusicenter.com for more information. |
|
238.5 |
Brinegar Cabin |
24-May |
Open Sat. & Sun. only, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
|
294 |
Moses Cone Manor House |
3-May |
Open daily, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. Manor House Tours available by reservation after June 1 |
|
304.4 |
Linn Cove Visitor Center |
3-May |
Open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Portable toilets available until May 24 when restrooms open. |
|
316.4 |
Linville Falls Visitor Center |
3-May |
Open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Portable toilets available until May 24 when restrooms open. |
|
330.9 |
North Carolina Museum of Minerals |
Open Year Round |
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
|
339.5 |
Crabtree Falls Visitor Center |
CLOSED |
Visitor Center parking area open to access Crabtree Falls Trail. |
|
364.5 |
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center |
Staggered, beginning April 19 |
From April 19, Fri. & Sat., 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; From May 3, Open Daily, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Portable toilets available until May 24 when restrooms open. |
|
384.5 |
Asheville Visitor Center |
Open Year Round |
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
|
451.2 |
Waterrock Knob Visitor Center |
3-May |
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
|
* Please note, schedule subject to change. Check nps.gov/blri for updates on concessions and other park information. |
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