With reduced travel along the Blue Ridge Parkway during the winter months, park staff are using those months to tackle seasonal road maintenance. And that means you could run into delays if you drive the 469-mile-long scenic road that runs from Virginia to North Carolina in the coming months.  

Given regularly changing conditions throughout the winter months, visitors should plan ahead before heading out to the parkway and be aware of alternate routes should they encounter a closed section of the road.

Parkway personnel are conducting winter maintenance activities in multiple locations along the route, beginning now and continuing into the early months of 2021. Those projects include needed maintenance such as drainage cleaning, brush clearing, leaf litter removal, and hazardous tree work. 

These intermittent maintenance closures require a full, two-lane closure to all activity (cars, bicycles, and hikers) to ensure the safety of workers as well as park visitors. Affected sections close at approximately 8 a.m. each weekday and re-open daily by 4 p.m. EST. Impacted sections of the route will open on weekends, weather permitting. Locations and planned dates for winter maintenance closures are available on the parkway’s website. 

Winter weather can also impact the parkway for extended periods due to the scenic route’s many north facing slopes, tunnels, high elevation areas, and limited sight distances. The parkway’s natural resource protection priorities limit the use of ice melting chemicals and certain areas may remain closed for extended periods. Park staff monitor conditions in affected areas and open the road as soon as safe travel can resume. While weather closures may restrict vehicular traffic, closed gates during winter weather can provide fun recreation opportunities on the parkway. 

Additional facility and safety information is available on the park website, and road closure information is also available on the Parkway’s real time road map.