Craggy Gardens
Making the Blue Ridge Parkway accessible
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation – Craggy Gardens Project
Craggy Gardens attracts a wide variety of visitors, ranging in age, interests, and abilities. It ranks as one of the most popular locations in America’s most visited national park unit. The Blue Ridge Parkway does not charge an entrance fee—which makes the Parkway more accessible to people with limited economic means—but also leaves the Parkway with fewer resources to manage its visitation. In response to existing challenges with aging facilities, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation requested support for permanent, accessible year-round restroom facilities, trailhead and wayfinding improvements, and the planning and design of Visitor Center and picnic area renovations.
Award: $750,000
Timeline: December 2024 – May 2026
Craggy Gardens Project Includes:
- Restroom Facilities: Permanent, accessible, year-round restroom facilities at the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center and the Craggy Pinnacle Trail parking lot (June 2025 – May 2026)
- Trailhead & wayfinding improvements: Update trailhead and wayfinding signage for visitor center (Fall 2025 – April 2026)
- Planning & Design: Planning and design for future visitor service improvements at the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center and Picnic Area (December 2024 – May 2026)
Craggy Gardens & Craggy Pinnacle
