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Hike Hawksbill To View Supermoon

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Travel Blue Ridge ParkwayAugust 28, 2015

Hike to Hawksbill Peak To View Supermoon

The Shenandoah National Park is having a hike to the peak of Hawksbill on Saturday August 29,2015 to view the supermoon. Saturday night the moon will be unusually large and brighter than a normal full moon due to its close proximity to earth. Hike to the peak to view the supermoon. Hawksbill is the highest elevation in the park at 4.040 feet. Park Rangers will be posted along the trail and at the peak. The hike to the peak is a 2 mile (1 mile there and 1 mile back) hike and takes about 30 minutes each way. Moonrise is approximately 7:45pm. A supermoon occurs when the orbit of the moon around earth takes the moon as close as possible during its elliptical orbit.

Supermoon Viewing at Hawksbill Peak

Hawksbill is located on Skyline Drive at mile 51. Reservations are needed because space is limited to 100 participants. Call Byrd Visitor Center at 540-999-3500 ext. 3283 for reservations or more information. This event if free of charge but there is a park entrance fee.

National Park Service Birthday

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Travel Blue Ridge ParkwayAugust 21, 2015

National Park Service Birthday Celebration

The National Park Service birthday is celebrating their 99th birthday on August 25, 2015. That day is called Founders Day and in honor the normal entrance fee of $20 will be waived and visitors will be admitted for free. The Shenandoah National Park Association will have a 10% discount on all items in the bookstores at both the Dickey Ridge and the Byrd Visitor Centers. This Founders Day on August 25 will be the start of a year-long celebration that is the kickoff to the big Centennial Celebration in 2016! President Woodrow Wilson signed into legislation the creation of the National Park Service 99 years ago on August 25, 1916. Now, 99 years later there are 408 National Parks throughout the United States. Last year the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia had well over 1 million visitors.

Shenandoah National Park Free Admission 8/25/15

To help celebrated the 99-year-old birthday celebration the park service is invited us to visit the Shenandoah National Park on Tuesday free of charge and save money when making purchases in the bookstores located in the park. While the weather is still nice and warm, plan a trip Tuesday and enjoy the park. For any college students new to the area it would be a great time to visit the Shenandoah National Park and get acquainted with all the park has to offer.

Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Travel Blue Ridge ParkwayAugust 4, 2015

Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Event

Each year the Perseid Meteor Shower takes place in the summer time. Peak viewing for this year will be about August 9-14, 2015. During peak nights this year there will be no moon so the night skies will nice and dark for excellent viewing. The Perseid meteor shower is one of the best and brightest meteor showers. Look toward the north-east and look high in the sky right over your head to see the shooting stars. Expect to see 60 to 100 meteors per hour at its peak if conditions are right.

Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing in Blue Ridge Parkway

The Shenandoah National Park is having a special program and viewing on Wednesday night August 12, 2015 at 9:00PM at the Byrd Visitor Center at milepost 51 on Skyline Drive. The Perseids, Falling Stars will feature NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern talking about the Perseid meteor shower and how to take photos of the night sky.

After the presentation the park will have “Under the Stars at Shenandoah National Park” from 11:00pm-5:00am at the Big Meadows area at milepost 51 on Skyline Drive. Stargazers will gather outdoors to watch the meteor shower as well as hear tales and interesting facts about the sky, stars, constellations and more. If you can stay awake peak viewing should be at about 4:00am!

These special Perseid meteor shower programs are free. Make sure to take a sweater or jacket to stay warm overnight and take lawn chairs to sit in or better than that a blanket to spread out and lay on so your neck won’t get tired For more information see goshenandoah.com or call 877-247-9261.

Blue Moon Hike To Hawksbill Mountain

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Travel Blue Ridge ParkwayJuly 29, 2015

Blue Moon Hike With Rangers To Hawksbill Mountain July 31

The Park Rangers at Shenandoah National Park are going to lead a Blue Moon hike to the peak of Hawksbill Mountain on Friday July 31, 2015. What is so special about this hike it that it takes place on the night of a Blue Moon. A Blue Moon is when in the same month there is two full moons that take place. This only happens about every 2 ½ years. The last Blue Moon was in 2012 and the next Blue Moon will be on January 2, 2018!

Blue Moon Hike in Shenandoah National Park July 31

There was a full moon on July 2 and another full moon on July 31 this month. The moon does not actually turn blue of course but taking a ranger lead hike to the peak of Hawksbill Mountain to view the second full moon of the month will be a fun activity. The special hike will start at 8:00PM and will last up to 2 ½ hours. The moon will rise at about 8:25 PM on Friday July 31, 2015. Hawksbill Mountain is at mile 45.6 on Skyline Drive. This will be a special treat to both hikers and star-gazers. Let’s hope the weather cooperates and the sky is clear for good viewing.

Hawksbill Mountain in Shenandoah National Park

Blue Ridge Parkway Quarter Released

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Travel Blue Ridge ParkwayJune 29, 2015

Blue Ridge Parkway Quarter in the America the Beautiful Series Available

The Blue Ridge Parkway quarter in the America the Beautiful quarter series was released today by the US Mint. The quarter is part of the US Mint’s America the Beautiful program. The Blue Ridge Parkway coin features a curved road leading toward a tunnel under a mountain. It also has a dogwood flower which is the state flower for North Carolina. The coin is inscribed at the top with Blue Ridge Parkway along with North Carolina 2015 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Blue Ridge Parkway America the Beautiful Quarter Released (picture from US Mint website)

Twenty eight coins have been released in the America the Beautiful program. The new series of quarters was first released in 2010 with the first one being The Hot Springs National Park which is located in Arkansas. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Quarter for Tennessee was released on January 27, 2014. The Shenandoah National Park Quarter for Virginia was released on March 31, 2014. The series continues until 2021 with 56 in the complete series.

Find out more about the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program…

Northwest Trading Post Open For Summer

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Travel Blue Ridge ParkwayMay 19, 2015

Northwest Trading Post Open For Summer on Blue Ridge Parkway

The Northwest Trading Post along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Ashe County is now open. The trading post has local art, local crafts, souvenirs, plus foods, snacks and drinks. Favorites enjoyed by the people who stop by include cinnamon rolls, coffee and cold drinks, fudge, and locally baked goods. There is also a visitor center that has pamphlets, maps and other information about the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Northwest Trading Post is a Milepost 259 on the parkway in Glendale Springs, North Carolina. Hours are 9:00am-5:00pm 7 days a week until it closes in the late fall. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

Other popular areas nearby are Doughton Recreation Area to the north on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 240 and historic West Jefferson to the northwest on Highway 194. Be sure while in West Jefferson to visit the Ashe County Cheese Plant and Cheese Store as well as Mount Jefferson State Natural Area for a beautiful view of the town below and the surrounding mountain ranges.

Mount Jefferson View From Top

Fee Increase For Shenandoah National Park

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Travel Blue Ridge ParkwayMay 6, 2015

Fee Increase For Shenandoah National Park

There is a fee increase this year for entrance into the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. An annual park pass now cost $40, car passes now cost $20 and motorcycle passes now cost $15. The park fee uses 80% of the fee and puts the money back into the park for improving the facilities, research, wildlife and trail and ground maintenance. Many national parks were built in the 1930’s and 1940’s and now the need for repairs are great. Another price increase for park admission is planned in January 2017.

Even with the fee increase a visit to the Shenandoah Nation Park is well worth the price. The fresh air, clear blue skies, wildflowers, wildlife, waterfalls, hiking trails and views from the overlooks make a visit to this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains a favorite destination for many. Enjoy spring time this time of year at the annual Wildflower Weekend May 9-10th, 2015. Special activities for the weekend include wildflower walks, workshops, and other activities for all ages.

The Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia and is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blue Ridge Mountains is part of the larger Appalachian Mountains that stretch from Pennsylvania to Georgia in the Eastern United States. The Shenandoah National Park is located in the state of Virginia and is one of the most scenic areas of the Blue Ridge Mountain chain. The highest peak in the park is Hawksbill Mountain at 4,051 feet.

About Shenandoah National Park…

Big Meadows Brush Burning Planned Soon

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Travel Blue Ridge ParkwayApril 14, 2015

Big Meadows Brush Burning Planned

Officials of the Shenandoah National Park report about 35 acres of the Big Meadows area along Skyline Drive in Virginia will have a controlled burning sometime between April 13 and May 15, 2015. The controlled burn is to clear trees, shrubs and other underbrush from overtaking the acreage. The burn will improve the view across from the nearby Byrd Visitor Center. The burn should only take one day and access to the area will be restricted the day of the burn.

Dogwood trees in bloom along Skyline Drive this spring

Big Meadows is a recreational area of the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It is located on the Skyline Drive at Milepost 51. Big Meadows has the Byrd Visitor Center, a lodge, a camp store, and a camping ground. The area also has several hiking trails. Big Meadows is popular area along Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park.

Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway in the spring time is a great time to see the Virginia and North Carolina mountains come to life. The trees are just budding out with new green tender leaves and the flowers and shrubs are starting to bloom. Dogwood trees, daffodils, rhododendron, azaleas, and mountains laurel are just starting to put on their spring time colors. Typical blooming time along Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway is April and May in the low to mid-elevation. The higher elevation areas typically do not bloom until June or early July. The next several weeks will be ideal for a ride through the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. With the drop in gas prices fuel up the car or motorcycle and head to the hills for a beautiful show of spring time colors!

See the first 16 miles of Skyline Drive by motorcycle…

Blue Ridge Parkway Hours For Spring Coming Soon

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Travel Blue Ridge ParkwayMarch 20, 2015

Blue Ridge Parkway Hours for Spring Coming Soon

The weather is warming up and the park service has begun reopening sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway hours for spring that typically remain closed during this time of year. Areas that have been reopened along the parkway include Craggy Gardens, Mount Mitchell and Mount Pisgah. Although the parkway is open year-round sections of it have to be closed during the winter due to winter weather events.

BRP tunnel

Maintenance work will also result in closures. Currently routine maintenance has closed the Blue Ridge Parkway between mileposts 234 and 242 just south of the Virginia state line. And there is a tunnel repair underway near Devil’s Courthouse from milepost 420 to 423.

In the next week or so the park service will announce opening dates for facilities and seasonal visitors’ centers on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Get ready to take in the spring blooming season along the parkway and enjoy the fresh new growth of the trees and the colorful blooms of the flowers and shrubs that will soon be making an appearance. A ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the spring is a great way to relax and take in a colorful spring time in North Carolina and Virginia. Welcome spring time after a long cold winter!

Winter Blue Ridge Parkway Closures

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Travel Blue Ridge ParkwayDecember 30, 2014

Winter and The Blue Ridge Parkway Closures

Traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway during the winter months can offer some beautiful scenes but Blue Ridge Parkway closures during the winter are common. Winter weather can frequently and quiet suddenly cause problems on the parkway.

Blue Ridge Parkway Real-Time Road Closure Map

Snow, fog, ice, sleet, freezing rain and other winter weather problems can cause small sections or large sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway to close. With so many different elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway as the road weaves through the mountains and valleys of both Virginia and North Carolina, being aware of current weather conditions and the weather forecast is very important.

Here is a link to the Blue Ridge Parkway real-time road closure map by the National Park Service that is always up to date. No matter what the reason for the Blue Ridge Parkway road closure is the map will show the status conditions of closed, advisory or open. The map is colored coded and shows the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

See winter time heavy fog along the Blue Ridge Parkway…