The Bluffs Restaurant reopens Saturday on the Blue Ridge Parkway after a 10-year hiatus/David Huff

The Bluffs Restaurant at Doughton Park, closed for the past decade, reopens Saturday on the Blue Ridge Parkway. On opening day, the restaurant will welcome guests for special hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. as originally announced, and then shift to a schedule of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.  

The restaurant, located at milepost 241 on the parkway, is reducing its planned operating hours before the opening to ensure the safety of visitors and staff. The new schedule will allow more time to follow extra precautions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We had planned to be open daily, but the new schedule is the best way to ensure we remain open for this inaugural season,” said Shana Whitehead with Muddy Creek Enterprises, which operates the restaurant. “Our priority is to provide a safe and wonderful dining experience.”

Nearby Doughton Park Campground remains closed, which played a role in the decision to set a later opening time during the five-day schedule.

The Bluffs originally operated for 61 years before closing in 2010. The reopening comes after an outpouring of support for the renovations needed to welcome diners back to the former coffee shop, which was frequented by generations of families and parkway travelers from around the world.