FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Plan ahead and prepareTravel and camp on durable surfacesDispose of waste properlyLeave what you findMinimize campfire impactsRespect wildlifeBe considerate of other visitors

Family Reunites at Balsley Cemetery Thanks to FRIENDS Members and Volunteers

Family Returns and Reunites at Balsley Cemetery Thanks to FRIENDS Member A couple months ago, we shared news that dedicated FRIENDS member J.R. Elliott and ...
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FRIENDS Welcomes New Executive Director, Remi Sojka!

The staff and board at FRIENDS are very excited to announce Remi Sojka, our new Executive Director! This is a time of many exciting changes, ...
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Say Hello to Youth Outdoors- Our New Future Stewards Initiative

An essential part of the FRIENDS’ mission is to preserve the national treasure of the Blue Ridge Parkway for future generations. This means engaging young ...
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Through volunteerism, giving and partnerships, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway connects people with the park we love, helping to protect and promote an irreplaceable national resource.

How Your Dollars Help

Preservation

For 25 years, FRIENDS has worked with volunteers and community groups to help maintain Parkway assets. Today, volunteers work on nearly all facets of the Blue Ridge Parkway to preserve the intricate natural environment and visitor amenities for this incredible National treasure.

Future Stewards

FRIENDS commitment to stewardship of the Parkway drives our work today and our focus on the future. The Future Stewards program educates and engages today’s youth in conservation, ecology and forest stewardship, fostering long-term commitment and volunteerism for this pristine park and its incredible natural resources.

Saving Views

A signature program for FRIENDS, Save Parkway Views projects work to protect and enhance the views that draw millions of visitors each year. In November 2014 your donations along with funds from the VA Blue Ridge Parkway specialty license plate allowed FRIENDS to clear over 1,000 trees from 17 Parkway vistas.

Education

One of the primary purposes for the Blue Ridge Parkway, as a National Park unit, is to provide education which includes the understanding of the cultural heritage of the central and southern Appalachian Mountains. FRIENDS funds heritage and cultural educational events annually for the millions of visitors park-wide.

When You Go…

Want to experience “America’s Favorite Drive”?

As millions of annual visitors know, the Blue Ridge Parkway is unique in its picturesque beauty and accessibility. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and an All-American Road, running 469 miles through North Carolina and Virginia. The Parkway has been one of the most visited units of the National Park System every year since 1946.