THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
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.
Official NPS source
On Sept. 1, Blue Ridge Parkway will open a 30-day public comment period for a site management plan to restore visitor access, rebuild storm-damaged facilities and ensure a more resilient future for the Linville Falls area. This project is the latest in a number of federal recovery efforts advancing under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump in response to Hurricane Helene damage across western North Carolina.
Official NPS source
The Blue Ridge Parkway is accepting proposals for a concession contract for retail services at the Northwest Trading Post. The Northwest Trading Post is located at milepost 287.7 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Glendale Springs, N.C., and is approximately 45 minutes north of Boone and Blowing Rock, N.C.
Official NPS source
On July 27, the Blue Ridge Parkway will begin significant rehabilitation of the Deep Gap Bridge over U.S. Highway 421 to improve a section of the Parkway at milepost 276.4. The project is part of the National Park Service’s larger effort to improve visitor safety, protect access to popular destinations, and help preserve historic park infrastructure.
Official NPS source
The Blue Ridge Parkway announced today a leasing opportunity for the Bluffs Lodge, a historic motor lodge located at milepost 241.1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Laurel Springs, N.C. The Request for Proposals process invites interested individuals, businesses and organizations to submit proposals for the rehabilitation and long‑term operation of this property. This is the first step in restoring this key visitor service.
Official NPS source
As campgrounds, picnic areas and visitor centers open for the season this Memorial Day Weekend, the Blue Ridge Parkway reminds park visitors and neighbors to plan ahead and pack their patience for upcoming visits.
Official NPS source
The Blue Ridge Parkway announced today that it has selected MM176, LLC for a 10-year concessions contract to provide food, beverage and retail services in the restaurant and gift shop adjacent to the historic Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The new operator is planning interior renovations in 2026 and is planning to open its food and retail services to the public in spring 2027. The Parkway awarded the new concessions contract through a competitive selection process.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service today announced plans to remove hazardous, storm-generated tree debris from six areas with elevated wildfire risk along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia. This project is the latest in a number of federal recovery efforts advancing under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump in response to Hurricane Helene damage across western North Carolina.
Official NPS source
National Park Service officials announced today that, as hurricane recovery road repairs continue, visitors should use extreme caution along the Blue Ridge Parkway in areas leading to active construction sites. These ongoing road restoration projects are part of the federal recovery efforts advancing under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump in response to Hurricane Helene damage across western North Carolina.
Official NPS source
National Park Service officials announced today that work will resume on a multi-year Great American Outdoor Act road project in western North Carolina. Intermittent road closures are set to begin in mid-March from milepost 280 to 285 near Parkway School Road, and also from milepost 291.8, at US 321/221, to milepost 305.1, near Beacon Heights and US221. Park visitors and neighbors can expect various sections within this corridor to be closed intermittently while work is underway. Staggered closures are planned in a way that provides continuous access to popular park recreation areas.
Official NPS source
A section of the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 86 to 89, near Bedford, Virginia, will close on or around March 9, for a needed rehabilitation project. The project includes pavement reconstruction, drainage repairs, signage and safety measures, and work is expected to be complete by summer 2026.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service selected Price Lake Boat Rentals, Inc. to operate visitor services at Price Lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway under a 10-year concession contract. Price Lake Boat Rentals is the current operator, providing boat rentals, snacks and firewood sales on the Parkway since 2013.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service selected the Southern Highland Craft Guild, Inc. to operate visitor services at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway under a 10-year concession contract. The Southern Highland Craft Guild is the current operator, providing craft sales at the Folk Art Center since the facility opened in 1979.
Official NPS source
NC/VA - National Park Service officials are monitoring forecasts for the upcoming winter storm and preparing for a range of potential impacts across the Blue Ridge Parkway. Based on current forecasts, park visitors can expect closures parkwide beginning the evening of Friday, January 23, 2026. Park visitors and neighbors should expect closed gates, as well as barricades in ungated sections.
Official NPS source
On September 15, the National Park Service announced completion of two landslide repair projects located at milepost 375 and 380 and reopened a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 382, in Asheville, NC, to milepost 355.3 at the Ridge Junction Overlook, near NC 80 and the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park.
Official NPS source
LAUREL SPRINGS, NC – On September 9, the National Park Service reopened seven miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 241.1, just south of Doughton Park and The Bluffs restaurant, to milepost 248.1, at NC 18 near Laurel Springs. Opening this road section signifies the completion of another section in a 75-mile road reconstruction project underway in northwest North Carolina.
Official NPS source
A section of the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 63.5 to 63.9 will close on or around September 9, for a significant rehabilitation of the multi-level James River Bridge at milepost 63.7. Planned repairs include bridge deck rehabilitation, new asphalt overlay on the bridge, bridge bearing replacement, as well as parking area repairs and rehabilitation. The work is expected to be complete by Fall of 2026.
Official NPS source
On August 29, the National Park Service announced completion of a landslide repair project located at milepost 422, near Devil’s Courthouse.
Official NPS source
On August 22, the National Park Service announced completion of a landslide repair project located at milepost 401.5, near Ferrin Knob Tunnel No. 3, on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Completion of this project restores access from milepost 393, near US191 in Asheville, NC, to milepost 420, two miles south of the Graveyard Fields area.
Official NPS source
LAUREL SPRINGS, NC – On August 15, 2025, the National Park Service reopened eight miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 221.8 to 229.7, south of the North Carolina/Virginia state line. Opening this road section signifies the completion of both a long-planned bridge maintenance project and a Helene recovery project due a landslide at milepost 224.9.
Official NPS source
On August 15, the National Park Service will reopen over 30 campsites in Loop A of Julian Price Campground, located at milepost 297 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. All reopening sites will be available by reservation through the end of October. First come, first served sites are not available this season.
Official NPS source
On Aug. 4, the National Park Service reopened approximately four miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 280.9 to 285.5, near Bamboo Gap.
Official NPS source
BLOWING ROCK, NC – On Monday, July 21, 2025, Blue Ridge Parkway officials opened a section of the 469-mile historic route in North Carolina from milepost 305.2, near Beacon Heights and U.S. 221, to milepost 317.5, at U.S. 221 at the access point to the Linville Falls community.
Official NPS sourceOn Sunday, July 13, 2025, at approximately 3:52 p.m., Blue Ridge Parkway dispatchers received a report of a park visitor in medical distress within a mile of the Graveyard Fields Overlook Trailhead.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) is accepting proposals for a concession contract on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Mabry Mill (milepost 176). A business opportunity to provide Food & Beverage and Retail services in the restaurant and gift shop adjacent to the historic mill is outlined in a newly released prospectus document. Services under the new contract are expected to begin January 1, 2026, and will be for a 10-year term.
Official NPS sourceOn Saturday, June 21, 2025, at approximately 11:50 a.m., Blue Ridge Parkway dispatchers received a report of an accident involving a bicyclist and car near milepost 7.
Official NPS sourceOn Friday, June 20, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., National Park Service (NPS) dispatchers received a report of a motor vehicle accident near milepost 126 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Official NPS sourceWOOLWINE, VA - On June 1, 2025, at approximately 11:59 a.m., near Milepost 162, a motorcycle traveling north on the Blue Ridge Parkway collided with a deer crossing the rider’s lane of traffic. The operator, Edward Zigata, 60 years old, of Shallotte, North Carolina, was ejected and sustained serious injuries.
Official NPS source
PARKWAY-WIDE, NC/VA – As the summer season gets into full swing, National Park Service officials remind Blue Ridge Parkway visitors and neighbors that there’s much to enjoy on the Parkway this season. With multiple projects underway along the historic, 469-mile route, most Parkway miles are currently open for travel and recreation, with more areas expected to open across the summer and fall.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) is accepting proposals for two concession contracts on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Business opportunities to provide craft sales at the Folk Art Center in Asheville, NC (milepost 382) and boat rental services at Price Lake near Blowing Rock, NC (milepost 297) are outlined in newly released prospectus documents.
Official NPS sourceOn June 1, 2025, at approximately 11:45 a.m., officers and agents from the National Park Service, Asheville Police Department’s Bomb Squad, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation along with Asheville and Riceville fire and emergency medical personnel responded to a report of a suspicious item found in a dirt pull-off on the Blue Ridge Parkway near the intersection to the Folk Art Center.
Official NPS source
With many campgrounds, picnic areas, and visitor centers opening on the Blue Ridge Parkway this weekend, the National Park Service reminds park visitors and neighbors to plan ahead and be flexible to ensure a memorable Parkway experience this season.
Official NPS source