Blue Ridge Rising

14/10/2026

Love autumn along the Parkway and in our communities.

05/10/2026

More of the Parkway is open to explore!

UPDATE from the National Park Service: Just as the region enters its peak fall tourism season, recent openings mark major milestones in Hurricane Helene recovery as well as the conclusion of two historic Great American Outdoors Act projects.

Visitors can now drive uninterrupted from James River (milepost 63.7) in Virginia to Little Switzerland (near milepost 344) in North Carolina, and from Mount Mitchell State Park (milepost 355) to the park's southern end (milepost 469) in Cherokee, N.C.

In the past week, these sections reopened:

-Milepost 317.5, south of Linville Falls, to milepost 324.7 (Helene)
-Milepost 333.9 in Little Switzerland to milepost 340.2 at NC-80 (Helene)
-Milepost 297, Julian Price Campground, Loops B and D (Helene)
-Milepost 115 to milepost 121 in Roanoke, VA (GAOA)
-Milepost 276.4, Deep Gap Bridge (Regular Maintenance)

Final Helene road repairs are underway from milepost 344 to 355 and are slated for completion and reopening by the end of 2026. Visitors can find additional information to prepare for their fall Parkway travels on the park’s website, which includes regular road status updates, facility schedules, maps and more at www.nps.gov/blri.

29/09/2026

The National Park Service just announced a major accomplishment on the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Announcement: The National Park Service today announced the completion of a more than $100 million rehabilitation of 75 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina. The project was funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, landmark legislation signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in 2020. The investment improves critical infrastructure and visitor access along one of America’s most iconic scenic roadways.

The multiyear project included improvements along the Parkway from milepost 229.6, north of Doughton Park, to milepost 305.1, near Grandfather Mountain. The work addressed long-standing maintenance needs while preserving the Parkway’s historic character and supporting safe, reliable access for visitors.

"We are thrilled to have completed this work in advance of the busy fall season,” said Tracy Swartout, Blue Ridge Parkway superintendent. “This historic investment will serve Parkway visitors and neighboring communities for years to come. The Parkway is also an important economic driver for the region, connecting millions of visitors with gateway communities and serving as an important travel corridor for area residents.”

The project included repaving and rehabilitating the Parkway’s mainline motor road and repairs and improvements to drainage structures, curbs, walks, shoulders, guardrails, overlooks and signage. The National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration jointly managed the work.

Photo: Newly reconstructed section of the Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost 242 in Alleghany County, N.C. NPS Photo.

22/09/2026

Congratulations to Destination Bedford Virginia and Peaks of Otter Lodge for being featured in this article in Southern Living!

If you want to embark on a leaf-peeping pilgrimage along the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s worth an overnight stay at the legendary Peaks of Otter Lodge.

16/09/2026

Great ideas were exchanged! Friends and connections were built! Learning and sharing drew us closer together! Thank you to all who attended the Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit, Aug. 25-27, at Biltmore. Nearly 200 leaders explored paths of regional collaboration in tourism, economic development, outdoor recreation, marketing, and community initiatives within the 29 counties that neighbor the Blue Ridge Parkway.

It was incredible to see so many faces coming together to create a bright future for the region! Be sure to see the fun with our expanded photo gallery by Rachael McIntosh Photography at https://blueridgerising.com/summit-2026/

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Biltmore, and all summit sponsors: Appalachian Regional Commission, Dogwood Health Trust, Soloviev Foundation, Patrick County Tourism, Visit NC, Designsensory, Destination by Design, Mast General Store, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Explore Asheville, National Parks Conservation Association, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Conservation Corps NC, Blue Ridge Parkway Association, Destination Bedford, Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, Forever Mountain, The Great Trails State Coalition, and Tourism Impact Services.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and Friends of Southwest Virginia hosted the event.

01/09/2026

Wow! 11 of the Parkway's gateway communities are among the 24 finalists for Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine's Top Adventure Towns Showdown. Vote through noon, 9/7: https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/toptowns/

🏆 THE FINAL ROUND IS HERE! 🏆

We’re down to the final 6 towns across 4 categories in the 2026 Top Adventure Towns Contest.

Check out the photo below to see who made it to the final round, then cast your vote at the link in the comments and help crown this year’s Top Adventure Towns!

Good luck to all of our finalists, and thank you to everyone who has voted, shared, and cheered on their favorite adventure towns 🏘️🌲

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

26/08/2026

Share your input for a plan at Linville starting Sept. 1.

Starting Sept. 1, the Blue Ridge Parkway is looking for your input on a plan to restore visitor access, rebuild storm-damaged facilities, and ensure a more resilient future for the Linville Falls area.

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage to Linville Falls visitor facilities, trails and several park residences.
The comment period runs from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30. Project information will be available online and discussed at virtual and in-person meetings on Sept. 9 and 10. The Parkway plans to begin design and construction in 2027.

The Parkway will provide multiple opportunities for public comment and participation during the planning process. The park scheduled two virtual and in-person public meetings to share early draft concepts and answer questions (all times Eastern):
• Sept. 9 (5:30-7:30 p.m. ET) at the Morganton Community House, 120 N. King St., Morganton, N.C.
• Sept. 10 (5:30-7:30 p.m. ET) at the Sam Center Auditorium, Mayland Community College, 200 Mayland Drive, Spruce Pine, N.C.

Photo: Linville Falls Visitor Center following Hurricane Helene. Photo courtesy of NPS

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/blri/learn/news/blue-ridge-parkway-seeks-public-input-on-linville-falls-recovery-plan.htm

25/08/2026

We're thrilled to welcome leaders from gateway communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway to the third annual Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit at Biltmore, the event's presenting sponsor!

Thank you to our all our sponsors:
The Soloviev Foundation
Appalachian Regional Commission
Dogwood Health Trust
Friends of Southwest Virginia
Visit NC
Patrick County Tourism
Virginia Tourism Corporation
Destination by Design
Mast General Store
Designsensory
Explore Asheville
National Parks Conservation Association
Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
Conservation Corps NC
Blue Ridge Parkway Association
Forever Mountain
The Great Trails State Coalition
Tourism Impact Services
Destination Bedford VA
Blue Ridge Institute and Museum

Community leaders from across the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor are coming together this week for the third annual Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit.

21/08/2026

Parkway gateway communities: You're invited to participate in the pilot phase of our Community Milepost program, based on the iconic Parkway mileposts. Letters of Interest due 10/30/26. https://blueridgerising.com/grant-opportunity/milepost-pilot-program/

19/08/2026

Request for Proposals: The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is seeking fabricators, artists, manufacturers, or design-build vendors to fabricate and deliver large-scale, artistic, Blue Ridge Parkway-inspired mileposts. Proposals due 9/18/26. Please share. https://blueridgerising.com/rfp-opportunity/milepost-fabrication/

Issued by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, in partnership with Friends of Southwest Virginia 1. KEY MILESTONES     See key milestones above or in the attached PDF.  All applicants will be notified following the selection process. 2. INTRODUCTION The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation (BRPF or Fou...