Trails & Views Forever Program

You can protect the outdoor spaces that are at the heart of the Blue Ridge Parkway experience with a gift to the new Trails & Views Forever Fund.

Photo by Vicki Dameron

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An overlook before arborists cleared the view (bottom) and after (top) An overlook before arborists cleared the view (bottom) and after (top)

As the National Park Service faces an astonishing price tag to repair all aspects of the Blue Ridge Parkway, coupled with impending budget constraints, care of the trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and overlooks are falling to the bottom of the long list of priorities. That means, the places you enjoy nature on the Parkway desperately need your help!

You can protect the outdoor experiences that are at the heart of the Parkway experience with a gift to the Trails & Views Forever program. Your donation will revitalize trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, overlooks, and additional amenities that allow us to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the Parkway. 

The program's projects include:

Viewshed Restoration

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 continue their work to clear the views.

Trail Rover Program 

This season, volunteer rovers will protect peregrine falcons at Devils Courthouse and rare plants at Craggy Gardens and Rough Ridge by educating visitors about these important ecological sites. Your generosity can ensure the rovers are equipped with the supplies they need, including hand-held radios, backpacks, rain gear, and first-aid kits.

Mount Pisgah Platform Reconstruction - Completed on Oct. 26, 2023!

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. The Mount Pisgah Trailhead is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway and leads hikers into Pisgah National Forest. The work will be completed by Pisgah National Forest staff and volunteers. Please donate today to rebuild the observation deck.

This project is being championed by the Hagebak family in memory of Lisa Hambrick Hagebak, to recognize her love of the North Carolina mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway.

Volunteer Training & Support 

Parkway volunteers fill a wide range of roles within the park, from operating chainsaws to directing visitors. To maximize their impact, you can provide first-aid and CPR training, in-depth Parkway orientation, and other opportunities for volunteers to grow their skills.

Please give today! You can help us meet the challenge and ensure that the Parkway remains a beloved place to immerse yourself in the beauty of this breathtaking landscape.

Trailblazer patchNow is your chance to become an official Trailblazer for this critical program. With a gift of $1,000 or more, you will receive a limited edition patch and your name will be featured on donor recognition signs at Humpback Rocks, Peaks of Otter, Price Lake, Price Lake Campground, Craggy Gardends, and Graveyard Fields on the Parkway. You will also receive special recognition in our annual report. If you give $500, you will receive the attractive patch featuring a fall scene.

Please join us in the next leg of this trek to the top of the mountain. Give today to become a Trailblazer!

PLEASE Give Today

 

Learn more about Trails & Views Forever with this webinar: