Road Closed On Blue Ridge Parkway at Price Lake

Jun 20, 2023

Work has begun to repair the Price Lake Dam bridge, at milepost 296 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. As a result, lake levels in the area are several feet below the top of the dam and a two-week full road closure from milepost 296.4 to 296.8 began on June 5 and will remain until June 20th. A detour routes visitors around the project area. There is access from either the north or the south to visitor facilities and recreation areas within the Price Lake project area during the two-week closure period.

Water levels depending, the lake will remain open to all uses, including fishing, boating, and all other activities. Price Lake campground and Price Lake Boat Rentals, the on-site concession operator, are also expected to remain open.

The dam used to regulate the lake's water level was damaged during Tropical Storm Fred's movement across western NC in June of 2021. During an inspection after the storm, Federal Highway Administration bridge engineers discovered severe deterioration of the concrete columns supporting the bridge above the dam. This project reconstructs the bridge pier columns as well as addresses routine bridge maintenance to replace guardrails and joint seals and repoint the masonry. Once work is complete, it will take time for lake levels to rise to normal levels weather permitting.

Price Lake is a part of the Julian Price Memorial Park which is a 4,300 acre park located on the Blue Ridge Parkway between Grandfather Mountain to the west and Moses H. Cone Memorial Park to the east.

PHOTO: Price Lake, at milepost 296 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is popular for hiking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. NPS Photo/J. Ruff