Virginia & the Blue Ridge
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COMPLIMENTARY $2.95 2017/2018 YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE PARKS VIRGINIA & THE BLUE RIDGE ACTIVITIES • SIGHTSEEING • PRESERVATION EVENTS • TRAILS • HISTORY • MAPS • MORE OFFICIAL PARTNERS This summer, Yamaha launches a new Star motorcycle designed to help you journey further…than you ever thought possible. To see the road ahead, visit YamahaMotorsports.com/Journey-Further Some motorcycles shown with custom parts, accessories, paint and bodywork. Dress properly for your ride with a helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, gloves and boots. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSF course, please call 1-800-446-9227. Do not drink and ride. It is illegal and dangerous. ©2017 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. WHO’S WHO AT THE PARK WELCOME The Blue Ridge Parkway, often Today, the Blue Ridge Parkway called “America’s Favorite Drive,” is one of the most visited is set against the spectacular national park units, with an Blue Ridge Mountains—so average of 16 million visits named for the bluish tint that a year! Commercial and resi- the mountains put off from a dential development, air and mixture of sunlight, forest and water quality issues, and lack fog. Construction commenced in of sufficient funding, however, 1935, in part, to connect Shenan- all threaten this valuable and doah National Park in Virginia with vulnerable corridor. In collaboration Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the National Park Service and several in North Carolina and Tennessee. Originally organizations, including land trust groups called the ‘Appalachian Scenic Highway,’ it from all states on the route, thousands was envisioned as the first elongated national are working diligently to ensure the park is park, providing the recently enamored auto- protected. mobile traveler some of the most spectacular The Blue Ridge Parkway is more than just natural scenery in the U.S. a road—it offers recreational opportunities, habitat for diverse plants and wildlife, access to America’s cultural heritage and is an icon of American progress. To learn more about how you can lend a hand in preserving the Carolyn Sugg Carolyn parkway, please call the Blue Ridge Park- way Headquarters at (828) 298-0398 or visit nps.gov/blri. The parkway embodies the sense of movement that the entire area represents, and acts as one of the major gateways to your adventures along the mountainside. The National Park Service and National Forest Service are responsible for the management and protection of these re- sources, for the well-being of visitors and for overseeing all aspects of concession operations. This guide has been made possible by the support of the sponsors whose mes- sages appear inside. No matter what parks you decide to visit in Virginia and the Blue The Blue Ridge Mountains offer endless Ridge, we hope this guide travels along opportunity for outdoor adventure. with you. 2 VIRGINIA & BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY | WHO’S WHO AT THE PARK CONTENTS Welcome 2 What’s New! 6 American Park Network® publishes OhRanger.com, Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™ and At A Glance 8 Oh, Ranger!® guides —a collection of visitor guides for public lands all across America. American Park Network is an official partner of Important Numbers 11 the National Forest Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association, National Fish and History & Culture 12 Wildlife Foundation, American Hiking Society and the Student Conservation Association. Annual Events 14 Publisher & Editor-in-Chief MARK J. SAFERSTEIN Seasons 16 Associate Publisher & Executive Editor Hiking 20 Savings can take you to sights. Joel S. Saferstein Group Sales & Partnerships Director Climbing 28 Savings can take you to amazing sights. Alex Frenkel Centerfold Map amazing EDITORIAL / PRODUCTION Managing Editor: Kate Morgan Editors: Nell Alk, Monette A. Bailey, Paddling 32 Scott Deckman, Cinnamon Janzer, Julie McCool, Renee Sklarew, Andy M. Smith Camping 37 Proofreader: Shannon Kronstadt Graphic Designers: Mario Arce, Dennisse Cruz, Mountain Biking 41 AD Mike Dion, Yamileth Recinos, Tatiana Hurtado DIGITAL Technology Managers: Scott Falconer, Josh Eckstein Nature & Wildlife 45 ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING Preservation 48 (212) 581-3380 [email protected] Photography 50 Business Development: Sharon Burson, Randy Burton, Mary Pat Kaleth, Pat Keane, Just for Kids 52 Craig King, Kristi Rummel Operations Manager: Matthew Price Editor’s Picks 56 American Park Network 41 East 11th Street, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10003 @OhRanger Special thanks to Andrew Boye. (Cover: Blue ©2017 APN MEDIA, LLC · All Rights Reserved Ridge at sunset by jaredkay/iStock.) Oh, Ranger! and American Park Network are registered trademarks of APN Media, LLC. geico.com | 1-877-434-2678 | Local Oce GET THE APP! IT’S FREE! DOWNLOAD NOW geico.com | 1-877-434-2678 | Local Oce FOR MORE INFORMATION For answers to all your questions, Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. go to OhRanger.com GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; Distribution requests Some discounts, coverages, paymenta Berkshire plans Hathaway and features Inc. subsidiary. are not available © 2017 in GEICO all states or all GEICO companies. [email protected] GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi™ installation/sponsorship a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2017 GEICO [email protected] WHO’S WHO AT THE PARK WHAT’S NEW! WHY PARKS MATTER There is nothing so American as our national parks. – Franklin Delano Roosevelt ® Access to parks is one of the things that’s truly great about life in America. Not just na- tional parks, like FDR stated, but all parks. Parks Mark, Joel & Alex – Support parks, stay healthy! afford everyone, regardless of race, income, social status or age, the opportunity to escape Take a deep breath in a park and you’ll immedi- the concrete jungle and step into the wild. It ately know the value of greenspace. doesn’t matter whether it’s a small step into a Health & Wellness Studies show a high local park or a giant leap into the backcountry. correlation between time spent in parks and The effect is the same. Time in nature feels improved health (and, in my view, happiness). good. Other values that parks bring may be You move more when you’re outside, which de- less obvious. Since we take care of the things creases stress, makes you more fit and reduces we value, I’d like to highlight a few other ben- the risk of many health issues, such as diabetes, efits we all receive from public lands: high blood pressure and heart disease. Exercise Economic Impact America’s federal, state (which parks inspire) also positively impacts your and local parks and public lands generate $200 cholesterol levels. A few years ago, I started bi- billion in annual economic activity and support cycling to work every day. A year later, my over- AD more than one million jobs! You might help a all cholesterol went down while my HDL—the dozen businesses during a weekend hiking trip. “good” cholesterol—went up. The results of Imagine the impact of a week-long national park a small change in your exercise routine can be adventure. Parks raise property values, too! amazing! Parks invite this change. Conservation Trees produce the oxygen The value of parks is undeniable, so follow we need to survive, but did you know that FDR’s lead and support our public lands. It’s they also help save money? It’s estimated that the all-American thing to do. (Congress, take trees in cities save $400 billion in costs to re- note!) You’ll save the country money while im- tain stormwater. A single tree can store 100 proving our nation’s health—and your own, too. gallons or more, which helps keep streets from Not a bad combination! flooding and reduces the need for artificial stor- age facilities. A tree can also absorb as much as three tons of carbon gas during its lifetime. [email protected] Five national parks GET CONNECTED AT YOUR FAVORITE PARKS! One iconic American road trip Parks are about enjoying nature, but what if you want to share a great picture or are VisitUtah.com/itineraries awaiting an important email? If you’re looking to add connectivity to your park, or if you already have Wi-Fi and would like help adding content or generating sponsor revenues, please let us know at [email protected]. ® 6 VIRGINIA & BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY | 159 W. BROADWAY STE 200 TEL 801 531 0122 SALT LAKE CITY UTAH 84101 FAX 801 531 0123 Client: UOT Publication: American Park Network Magazine Job #: 16-UOT-1731 Road To Mighty Issue: Due to Vendor 4/7 File: 16-UOT-1731 RTM_Brothers_AmericanPark_170407.pdf Bleed: 5.875” w x 8.875” h File Created: 03/27/2017 Trim: 5.375” w x 8.375” h Agency Contact: Robyn Reynolds Live: 4.75” w x 7.375” h Phone: 801-531-0122 Colors: 4C Email: [email protected] WHO’S WHO AT THE PARK AT A GLANCE If you are an outdoor enthusiast, the Blue U.S. FOREST SERVICE (USFS) Ridge Mountains are the perfect playground. The Blue Ridge Mountains include four Hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, fishing, national forests managed by the USFS: rock climbing, skiing and just about any other Jefferson, George Washington, Pisgah activity you might crave are right around the and Nantahala. The USFS mission is to bend. Bordered by Shenandoah National protect and manage our natural resources. Park in the northern section and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY southern section, with the Blue Ridge Park- ASSOCIATION (BRPA) way running down the middle, public lands The BRPA is a non-profit association make up the heart and soul of the region.