During the week of April 28, 2015, highly skilled sawyers from across the Blue Ridge Parkway met in Blowing Rock, NC and conducted intensive vista restoration work at Milepost 300 near Grandfather Mountain.
With decades of growth in some areas, large trees now obstruct some scenic views and potentially impact the visitor experience. “Research consistently finds that ‘scenic views’ is the number-one parkway attraction,” says Richard Wells, FRIENDS treasurer. “The overlooks that were once clear and afforded visitors with panoramic views have long since become overgrown.”
The Parkway was meticulously designed to showcase these grand views, and this project provides the opportunity to restore views back to the vision of the original Parkway landscape architects. “The Parkway’s overlooks and vistas are a signature design feature of this park and a key component in our visitors’ ability to enjoy the scenic beauty of the area,” says Parkway Superintendent Mark Woods. “We appreciate FRIENDS leadership role in helping to restore and maintain vistas and overlooks park wide.”
Based on the success of previous vista restoration projects, FRIENDS is making plans for similar projects in the coming years. “The North Carolina project near Grandfather Mountain demonstrates to other parkway communities what a dramatic impact overlook clearings can have,” Wells says. “FRIENDS envisions working in partnership with many of these communities to undertake future vista restoration projects.”
The following are paid links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I am Jeff Clark, founder of Internet Brothers, producer of this blog, and passionate about hiking. I live in Western NC near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are just out my door, so the content will focus on these areas, but let me know what you would like to see on the site. 
Copyright © 2011-2023 Internet Brothers. All Rights Reserved. ISSN 2324-6057
Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by Wordpress | Logo by Design Aspirations
I was beginning to think that the overlooks had been allowed to over grow on purpose. I even had thought about taking my saw to these places to open them up, but I assumed I would be breaking the law. So good to see that this is finally being done.
I know it seems like they would do this more often, but there really is a lot that has to go into making it happen. If the trees that are in the way are outside the Parkway boundary buffer, then private landholders have to be contacted and asked for permission. The work crews have to undergo safety training and the terrain has to be surveyed for potential hazards. It doesn’t happen as quickly as we would like, but this is a shining example that it does happen.
Jeff, thank you for posting this information to your blog! You are correct that a great deal of work and planning goes into these clearings. Only highly skilled specialized work crews are authorized to do the work. Among other precautions, the protection of native animal habitats are taken into account, so the clearings have to be planned and coordinated by qualified Park Service personnel. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway hopes to be able to fund clearings throughout all 469 miles. Meanwhile, one vista at a time is being opened back up to those spectacular views we all know and love!
Michele Crim, Director of Marketing, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Thank you for the great info Michele, and for all the wonderful work that Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway does.