Posted by Laurie Wendt on March 29, 2010 at 1:41 PM
I was planning a Spring visit until I found out about all the road closures in GSMNP this year. So instead I may shift to a fall visit.
If I wanted to combine a fall trip between GSMNP and the south end of the Parkway to Asheville what would be a possible good time frame?
Thanks for your help!
Posted by Larry Puckett on March 29, 2010 at 2:05 PM
October. By early Nov everything is usually past peak, especially above Asheville. It's hard to be specific since weather conditions during the month will dictate the best time. You might want to give the spring trip another thought. There is a lot of road construction to deal with at Cades Cove and a couple other spots but you could come in early to mid June and catch the rhododendron in bloom. I had really wanted to get out and shoot some winter scenes on the BRP this year but after the Dec 18 blizzard everything was shutdown by treefalls. The BRP between Asheville and Cherokee was closed until last week but they have it open now except one short section S of Asheville and the Pisgah Inn is set to open on May 30. Here's an update on what will be open when on the BRP--check the GSMNP site for specifics over there--Larry
Much of the roadway should open in April, although a landslide will keep the stretch of road between Asheville and Mount Pisgah closed until July.
Here's a list of opening and closing dates for facilities on the parkway:
Campgrounds:
Linville Falls: opens April 2, closes Nov. 1.
Otter Creek : opens April 2, closes Nov. 1.
All Other Parkway Campgrounds open May 14 and close Nov. 1.
Picnic Areas:
Price Park: Open year-round (weather permitting) Full Service Restrooms and Water Fountains open April 30.
Peaks of Otter: open April 9, close Nov. 15.
Humpback Rocks: open April 9, closes Nov. 15. (Port-a-Johns will be used April 8 to May 7, and October 23 to November 16 at Humpback Rocks and Peaks of Otter Picnic Grounds)
Linville Falls: opens April 9, closes Nov. 1.
All Other Parkway Picnic Areas open May 14 and close Nov. 1.
Visitor Centers:
Humpback Rocks
April 23 - May 26, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., 7 Days a Week - Closed for Lunch (12-1)
May 27 – October 31, 7 Days a Week
Last Day Open: Oct 31
James River
May 27 – October 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 Days a Week
Last Day Open: Oct. 31
Peaks of Otter
April 30 – May 26, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 5 Days a Week, Closed Wed & Thurs
May 27 – October 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 Days a Week
Last Day Open: Oct. 31
Explore Park Visitor Center (operated by Roanoke County)
May 1 – October 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 Days a Week
Rocky Knob
Weekends Only (Sat, Sun): May 8, 9; May 15, 16; May 22-23, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
May 27 – October 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 Days a Week
Last Day Open: Oct 31
Blue Ridge Music Center
April 30 – May 24, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., 5 Days a Week, Closed Tues & Wed
May 27 – Oct 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 Days a Week
Last Day Open: Oct. 31
Moses Cone (Information desk and bookstore)
Open these Weekends: April 16, 17, 18, 9 a.m. - noon, 1-5 p.m.
April 23 – May 26, 7 Days a Week, 9 a.m.-noon, 1-5 p.m.
May 27- Oct 31, 7 Days a Week, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
NPS Desk: Last Day Open Oct 31 (Eastern National may stay open weekends in November, but will make that decision later in the season.)
Moses Cone Concessions (Craft Center open April 2 - November 29), 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Linn Cove
April 23 – May 26 9 a.m. - noon, 1-5 p.m.
May 27 - Oct. 31, Full Time, 7 Days a Week, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
Last Day Open: Oct. 31
Linville Falls
April 23 - May 26: 9 a.m. - noon, 1-5 p.m.
May 27 -Oct. 31, Full Time, 7 Days a Week, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
Last Day Open: Oct. 31
Museum of North Carolina Minerals: Open Year Round (Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day)
Oct 31, 2009 – May 26, 2010: 9 a.m. - noon, 1-5 p.m.
May 27 – Oct 31 2010: , 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
Nov 1, 2010 – until 2011 spring season: 9 a.m. - noon, 1-5 p.m.
Craggy Gardens: Weekends April 10-11, 17-18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
April 23 – May 26 , 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
May 27 – Oct 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Eastern may stay open a few weekends into November, weather permitting.
Folk Art Center : Open Year Round (Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
January 1 – March 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
April 1 – December 31, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center: Open Year Round (Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day), 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Waterrock Knob
April 23 – May 26, 7 Days a Week, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
May 27 – Oct 31, Full Time, 7 Days a Week, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Last Day Open: Oct 31
Concessions Facilities
Otter Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop – Milepost 60.8
May 1 – September 30
Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
October
Monday through Thursday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
Peaks of Otter Lodge/Restaurant/Lounge/Gift Shop - Milepost 85.9
Lodge, Restaurant and Gift Shop: Open Year-Round
Peaks Country Store: Saturdays and Sundays in May: May 8 & 9, 15 & 16 and 22: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Daily: May 28 – October 31: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sharp Top Bus Service: Same dates as the Peaks Country Store: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (bus trips on the hour)
Rocky Knob Cabins - Milepost 174.1
April 24 – October 31
Mabry Mill Restaurant/Gift Shop - Milepost 176.2
April 24 – October 31
Bluffs Lodge/Restaurant/Gift Shop - Milepost 241.1
April 24 – November 1
Price Park Lake Boat Rentals – Milepost 297.1
Weekends: May 15-16, and weekends between September 11 and October 31
Daily: May 29 – September 6 (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
Crabtree Meadows Snack Bar/Gift Shop/Camp Store – Milepost 339.5
Apr 24 – October 24
Northwest Trading Post Gift and Craft Shop – Milepost 258.8
April 16 – November 14
Parkway Craft Center at Moses Cone Manor House – Milepost 294
April 2 – November 30 (closed Thanksgiving Day)
Folk Art Center – Milepost 382
(Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
January 1 – March 31 9-5
April 1 – December 31 9-6
Pisgah Inn/Restaurant/Gift Shop/Country Store – Milepost 408.6
March 30 – November 1
Posted by Steve Hamley on March 29, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Laurie,
It depends on the altitude of the location in question. Graveyard Fields peaks early - about October 4th-8th - depending on weather that's too early to tell. The other high country locations like Grandfather Mountain, Tanawha Trail (Rough Ridge, Boone Fork) peak similarly early, say the first full week of October.
If you want color in the river valleys like Greenbrier, Big Creek, Cades Cove, and Tremont, you need to be looking at the fourth week of October up possibly into the first week of November.
There really isn't any one week you can get both the high country and the river valleys. The wrong time is (has been) the third week of October; the high country is gone and the river valleys haven't turned.
Cheers, Steve
Posted by Laurie Wendt on March 29, 2010 at 3:19 PM
Wow, thanks Larry for all info. Is all this info posted on the internet somewhere?
Thanks Steve, Just what I looking for. I thought that would be the case but thought I'd make sure by asking. I also just found the 2009 Fall color thread with your recap at the end. Very helpful, thanks for posting.
Posted by Joe Baltimore on March 30, 2010 at 7:32 AM
Graveyard Fields has been at peak the last two years on 10/8 - 10/12. And it has been stunning. Having gone to the area you are talking about annually for the last 6 years, I can say that the even numbered years have been good for Fall color and the odd numbered years have been difficult to find good color.
May be coincidence, but that is what I've seen from Graveyard to Asheville to slightly north of Asheville. So, my hope is this year being even will give us great Fall color again. Don't you just love statistics?
Discussion
4 repliesIf I wanted to combine a fall trip between GSMNP and the south end of the Parkway to Asheville what would be a possible good time frame?
Thanks for your help!
Much of the roadway should open in April, although a landslide will keep the stretch of road between Asheville and Mount Pisgah closed until July.
Here's a list of opening and closing dates for facilities on the parkway:
Campgrounds:
Linville Falls: opens April 2, closes Nov. 1.
Otter Creek : opens April 2, closes Nov. 1.
All Other Parkway Campgrounds open May 14 and close Nov. 1.
Picnic Areas:
Price Park: Open year-round (weather permitting) Full Service Restrooms and Water Fountains open April 30.
Peaks of Otter: open April 9, close Nov. 15.
Humpback Rocks: open April 9, closes Nov. 15. (Port-a-Johns will be used April 8 to May 7, and October 23 to November 16 at Humpback Rocks and Peaks of Otter Picnic Grounds)
Linville Falls: opens April 9, closes Nov. 1.
All Other Parkway Picnic Areas open May 14 and close Nov. 1.
Visitor Centers:
Humpback Rocks
April 23 - May 26, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., 7 Days a Week - Closed for Lunch (12-1)
May 27 – October 31, 7 Days a Week
Last Day Open: Oct 31
James River
May 27 – October 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 Days a Week
Last Day Open: Oct. 31
Peaks of Otter
April 30 – May 26, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 5 Days a Week, Closed Wed & Thurs
May 27 – October 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 Days a Week
Last Day Open: Oct. 31
Explore Park Visitor Center (operated by Roanoke County)
May 1 – October 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 Days a Week
Rocky Knob
Weekends Only (Sat, Sun): May 8, 9; May 15, 16; May 22-23, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
May 27 – October 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 Days a Week
Last Day Open: Oct 31
Blue Ridge Music Center
April 30 – May 24, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., 5 Days a Week, Closed Tues & Wed
May 27 – Oct 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 Days a Week
Last Day Open: Oct. 31
Moses Cone (Information desk and bookstore)
Open these Weekends: April 16, 17, 18, 9 a.m. - noon, 1-5 p.m.
April 23 – May 26, 7 Days a Week, 9 a.m.-noon, 1-5 p.m.
May 27- Oct 31, 7 Days a Week, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
NPS Desk: Last Day Open Oct 31 (Eastern National may stay open weekends in November, but will make that decision later in the season.)
Moses Cone Concessions (Craft Center open April 2 - November 29), 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Linn Cove
April 23 – May 26 9 a.m. - noon, 1-5 p.m.
May 27 - Oct. 31, Full Time, 7 Days a Week, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
Last Day Open: Oct. 31
Linville Falls
April 23 - May 26: 9 a.m. - noon, 1-5 p.m.
May 27 -Oct. 31, Full Time, 7 Days a Week, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
Last Day Open: Oct. 31
Museum of North Carolina Minerals: Open Year Round (Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day)
Oct 31, 2009 – May 26, 2010: 9 a.m. - noon, 1-5 p.m.
May 27 – Oct 31 2010: , 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
Nov 1, 2010 – until 2011 spring season: 9 a.m. - noon, 1-5 p.m.
Craggy Gardens: Weekends April 10-11, 17-18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
April 23 – May 26 , 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
May 27 – Oct 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Eastern may stay open a few weekends into November, weather permitting.
Folk Art Center : Open Year Round (Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
January 1 – March 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
April 1 – December 31, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center: Open Year Round (Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day), 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Waterrock Knob
April 23 – May 26, 7 Days a Week, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
May 27 – Oct 31, Full Time, 7 Days a Week, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Last Day Open: Oct 31
Concessions Facilities
Otter Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop – Milepost 60.8
May 1 – September 30
Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
October
Monday through Thursday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
Peaks of Otter Lodge/Restaurant/Lounge/Gift Shop - Milepost 85.9
Lodge, Restaurant and Gift Shop: Open Year-Round
Peaks Country Store: Saturdays and Sundays in May: May 8 & 9, 15 & 16 and 22: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Daily: May 28 – October 31: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sharp Top Bus Service: Same dates as the Peaks Country Store: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (bus trips on the hour)
Rocky Knob Cabins - Milepost 174.1
April 24 – October 31
Mabry Mill Restaurant/Gift Shop - Milepost 176.2
April 24 – October 31
Bluffs Lodge/Restaurant/Gift Shop - Milepost 241.1
April 24 – November 1
Price Park Lake Boat Rentals – Milepost 297.1
Weekends: May 15-16, and weekends between September 11 and October 31
Daily: May 29 – September 6 (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
Crabtree Meadows Snack Bar/Gift Shop/Camp Store – Milepost 339.5
Apr 24 – October 24
Northwest Trading Post Gift and Craft Shop – Milepost 258.8
April 16 – November 14
Parkway Craft Center at Moses Cone Manor House – Milepost 294
April 2 – November 30 (closed Thanksgiving Day)
Folk Art Center – Milepost 382
(Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
January 1 – March 31 9-5
April 1 – December 31 9-6
Pisgah Inn/Restaurant/Gift Shop/Country Store – Milepost 408.6
March 30 – November 1
It depends on the altitude of the location in question. Graveyard Fields peaks early - about October 4th-8th - depending on weather that's too early to tell. The other high country locations like Grandfather Mountain, Tanawha Trail (Rough Ridge, Boone Fork) peak similarly early, say the first full week of October.
If you want color in the river valleys like Greenbrier, Big Creek, Cades Cove, and Tremont, you need to be looking at the fourth week of October up possibly into the first week of November.
There really isn't any one week you can get both the high country and the river valleys. The wrong time is (has been) the third week of October; the high country is gone and the river valleys haven't turned.
Cheers, Steve
Thanks Steve, Just what I looking for. I thought that would be the case but thought I'd make sure by asking. I also just found the 2009 Fall color thread with your recap at the end. Very helpful, thanks for posting.
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=47315&CGISESSID=a9b9f7a8f8d1881b75c21cd231816a71&u=29855
May be coincidence, but that is what I've seen from Graveyard to Asheville to slightly north of Asheville. So, my hope is this year being even will give us great Fall color again. Don't you just love statistics?