Rocky Knob Picnic Area: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Blue Ridge Parkway

Regions 1, 2, & 4 Park Cultural Landscapes Program

Inventory Unit Description: The Rocky Knob Picnic Area and Gas Station component landscape, one of four component landscapes within the Rocky Knob Recreation Area, is located on the north side of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 169 in the state of Virginia. Construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway through the Rocky Knob area began in 1937, during which year construction began on the Picnic Area. The original plan included two loops set back from the Parkway, both serving recreational purposes. The first loop functioned as a designated picnic area for day use while the second loop acted as a campground. Plans for the Gas Station adjacent to the Picnic Area at Rocky Knob existed as early as 1936, however construction did not begin until 1949. Primary access to the Rocky Knob Picnic Area and Gas Station is via a shared entrance drive. The Picnic Area contains two comfort stations, a picnic pavilion, a group parking area, individual parking slips, and approximately 100 picnic locations with associated tables and grills. The Picnic Area was created to facilitate recreation along the Parkway in the form of picnicking. This use continues today, along with hiking, as the recreation area’s trail system is accessible here. Vehicular circulation in the Picnic Area consists of two single-lane loop roads that wind through the site. Narrow asphalt dirt paths permit pedestrian access to Picnic Area amenities like comfort stations, drinking fountains, and picnic sites. The one mile Picnic Loop Trail encircles the entire Picnic Area and ties into both the Black Ridge and Rock Castle Gorge Trails, allowing users of the Picnic Area to access the entirety of the Rocky Knob trail system. The Rocky Knob Gas Station area was originally intended to provide gasoline, supplies, and services to travelers along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This use continued until 1978, at which time the NPS converted the service station into the Rocky Knob Visitor Information Station. The NPS staffs the station seasonally. Automotive traffic enters this site from two entrances which form a loop in front of the Gas Station. Parking is provided in two places: a small lot northeast of the Gas Station accommodates seven cars, and a larger parking lot beyond the Picnic Area road fork provides space for 28 cars in opposing bays. There are three buildings in the Gas Station area.

Rocky Knob Picnic Area: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Blue Ridge Parkway

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