Last spring many attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway were closed due to federal budget cuts (and the October government shutdown), but this year there will be more campgrounds and buildings opening earlier in the spring. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will soon be opening the secondary roads that have to be closed in the winter due to winter weather, and the Blue Ridge Parkway is set to open the campgrounds and buildings earlier this year than they opened last year. Most campgrounds and picnic areas on the Blue Ridge Parkway have an opening date of May 9, 2014. Concession facilities start opening March 15 with the Parkway Craft Center at the Moses Cone Manor at Mile Post 294 and Peaks of Otter Lodge open on April 11 at Mile Post 85.6.
For a complete listing please see 2014 Blue Ridge Parkway Season Opening Schedule.
For more info on the secondary road openings in the Great Smoky Mountains see GSM Seasonal Road Schedule
