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Spring Openings on Tap for Shenandoah National Park

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Spring is settling into the Appalachians, which means you might just be able to spot some deer at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park. NPS photo.

Winter's worst apparently is behind in the mid-Atlantic states, as Shenandoah National Park is beginning to open its facilities for the spring. In fact, the Big Meadows Campgrounds open Friday.

The Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center will open on April 3; the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center will open April 9; and the Loft Mountain Information Center will open on May 23, operating weekends and
holidays only.

While the Big Meadows Campgrounds open this weekend, the Lewis Mountain Campground will open on April 10 with the Loft Mountain and Mathews Arm campgrounds scheduled to open on May 15.

The Elkwallow, Pinnacles, South River and Dundo Picnic Grounds are currently open. The remaining picnic grounds will operate as follows: Big Meadows Picnic Grounds will open March 27; Dickey Ridge and Lewis Mountain Picnic Grounds will open April 10.

Concessioner-operated restaurants, lodges and associated facilities will operate as follows: Big Meadows Wayside and Big Meadows Shower/Laundry will open March 27; Skyland Resort will open on April 2; Elkwallow Wayside will open on April 9; Lewis Mountain Cabins and Lewis Mountain Campstore and Big Meadows Lodge will open on April 10; and Loft Mountain Wayside will open on April 23; Loft Mountain Campstore and Loft Mountain Shower and Laundry will open on May 15.

Comments

Thanks for the update Kurt. Shenandoah N.P. has a lot of great info. on their website. I definitely need to make a photo visit some day. We are getting some much-needed late winter/early spring precipitation in the Pacific Northwest/Crater Lake N.P.

rob mutch
---
Executive Director,
Crater Lake Institute
www.craterlakeinstitute.com


Kurt,

Any idea when Shenandoah might be in bloom? I'm wondering if the leaves will be on the trees and things green by the first of May? I know the wildflower bloom festival is the next weekend but was just curious if you thought the park might be green by then?

Thanks,
Dave


Well, Dave, with some of the bizarre weather we've seen lately -- here in Park City we had 70-degree weather about three weeks ago, now it's raining and there's snow forecast for tonight into Thursday -- I'd hate to venture much, but judging from the photos of past wildflower weekends, I'd say the park will indeed be green, though probably not as green as in mid-June or July.


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