Last Updated on April 21, 2025 2:21 pm
NC/VA— During the week of April 19 to 27, 2025, the Blue Ridge Parkway will host over one-dozen ranger-led programs to celebrate National Park Week and encourage park neighbors and visitors to get out into the park prior to the 2025 visitor season.
The theme for this year’s National Park Week is “National Park Playlist;” and what better park to plan a road trip and music playlist around than the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway? Once on the Parkway, enjoy programs around such topics as how to become a junior ranger, bears, plant and animal habitats, Appalachian folk tales and culture, Parkway design, birding and more. Details about each program, including descriptions, times, dates, and locations, is available on the Parkway’s online calendar. All programs are free and open to the public.
Parkway staff also invite participation on the park’s social media channels to contribute playlist song ideas. While traditional Blue Ridge music may seem like a natural choice for a Parkway playlist, participants are asked to consider songs that relate to National Park Week Theme Days such as nature songs, classic rock, or heavy metal. Creativity is encouraged to use these themes as a play on words related to various aspects of the Parkway. Tag @BlueRidgeNPS and use the hashtag #NationalParkWeek in any posts with playlist suggestions during National Park Week.
Navigating the Parkway during National Park Week and into the 2025 visitor season will require extra care and planning. Despite having some sections of the historic route closed because of multiple storms, including Hurricane Helene, there is much about the Parkway and surrounding area to enjoy. The park’s road status is updated daily using an online chart organized by road sections from north to south along the 469-mile route.
Commemorated annually since 1994, National Park Week celebrates the natural, cultural, and recreations opportunities in parks and encourages people to form connections with these places.
