Summer/Fall 2008 Update
Parkway closed from Milepost 367.6 to 355.3: A rockslide and roadway failure has closed the Blue Ridge Parkway to all activities including foot traffic and bicycling between the entrance to Craggy Gardens Picnic Area and the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park. The picnic area is accessible driving north from the Asheville area and the state park is accessible via the NC Highway 80 entrance to the Parkway. This road closure will remain in effect until late spring 2009.

The closed section includes the Craggy Gardens Visitors Center. Hikers can access the popular Craggy Gardens Trail from the picnic area, but not the Pinnacle hike.

The Craggy Gardens area is one of the most scenic on the parkway and is known for its rhododendron blooms in June. The section of parkway directly affected is only about 100 feet long, but there is no convenient detour around it.

For visitors to Asheville wanting to reach Mt. Mitchell and the Parkway north of Craggy, drive east on I-40 to exit 86. Follow U.S. Highway 221 North. To reach Mt. Mitchell, take U.S. 221 about 10 miles to U.S. 70 West, then NC 80 North. To get on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Little Switzerland, take U.S. 221 farther north to NC Highway 226 to Little Switzerland.

See our Blue Ridge Parkway Guide for the many sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Asheville (Mileposts 393.6 to 433).