Visitor Amenities

Mabry Mill is the beloved centerpiece of a collection of fascinating historical structures at milepost 171 in Virginia. In fact, the rustic mill reflected in the adjacent pond is said to be the most photographed scene on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 384 in Asheville is a popular destination for visitors to learn more about the scenic route and shop. Your support will make it an even more welcoming place by hardening the path and providing more picnic tables for visitors, including those who need increased accessibility. Our original goal for this project was $22,000, but after a generous donation only $12,000 is still needed. Donate today

With a gift, you can provide Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for rangers to use in case of emergencies within the park. Donations will also ensure training programs for National Park Service staff on the proper use of this life-saving equipment. Our goal for this project is $60,000. Please help save lives on the Parkway. Give today

With your support for this project, visitors will find single-sheet trail guides to help them explore and learn more about 16 popular hiking destinations along the Parkway, including Humpback Rocks, Otter Creek and James River, Roanoke Valley, Cumberland Knob, Julian Price Park, Linville Falls, Mount Pisgah, and Waterrock Knob.

The flat loop trail around picturesque Bass Lake is a popular destination for High Country residents and visitors alike. Unfortunately, the ramp that leads to the trail from the parking area creates an obstacle for guests with limited mobility. Your donation will provide safer access to a cherished place.  Donate

Lighting plays a vital role in the many aspects of the Blue Ridge Music Center's operation. You can make the venue, exhibits, and even the parking lot shine with support for these critical enhancements.

With your help, summer Sunday afternoons will be filled with mountain music at popular destinations along the Parkway, allowing the Blue Ridge Music Center to reach a wider audience of visitors. Akin to the down-home Midday Mountain Music presentations at the Music Center, this free series of intimate outdoor concerts will showcase local musicians playing traditional music in Virginia at Humpback Rocks, Peaks of Otter and Mabry Mill, and in North Carolina at Doughton Park Picnic Area and the Asheville Visitor Center.

Along the popular Mount Pisgah Trail, visitors can take in stunning mountain views from a wooden observation deck. Over its 40 years in use and thousands of visitors, the platform has seen better days. Patch work on the deck has become extensive, and it is time to replace the structure. With a donation for this project, you will fund the reconstruction of the platform to provide a safe and enjoyable stop for trekkers.

Thanks to tremendous support for this revitalization project, The Bluffs Restaurant is open again.  The Foundation holds a historic lease for the National Park Service facility and is responsible for ongoing maintenance and improvements. You can support this beloved destination by making a donation to assist with the upkeep of the circa-1949 building. As part of our committment to sustainabillity, we will undertake projects to increase energy efficiency in the restaurant.

The Parkway’s designers created astounding roadside overlooks as hallmarks of the national park. Today, many are hidden by years of tree growth. With your help, arborist crews will clear overgrown vegetation at designated vistas.