Travelers along the Blue Ridge Parkway have encountered unexpected hurdles, with numerous closures persisting due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. However, there’s a silver lining as nearly 50 miles of this picturesque route are scheduled to reopen soon.
The devastation from Hurricane Helene included at least 57 landslides, wreaking havoc not only on the roads but also on various visitor facilities like centers, campgrounds, and trails.
Initially, the entire 469-mile stretch across North Carolina and Virginia was off-limits. Over the past nine months, efforts have been underway to gradually restore sections of the parkway.
Currently, 83 miles remain inaccessible, but progress is on the horizon. Leesa Brandon, a representative for the Blue Ridge Parkway, highlighted this at a recent Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority meeting.
“In the coming weeks, really, we expect to see some of these sections opening that are part of Phase 1, and miles being restored,” stated Brandon. “By the fall, nearly 50 miles [will be] restored.”
The reopening will provide full access from Cherokee to Mount Mitchell, reconnecting popular spots like the Pisgah Inn and Craggy Gardens. However, the hardest-hit areas, spanning 34 miles from Mount Mitchell to Little Switzerland, will take longer, with some repairs projected through Fall 2026. The complete timeline is still uncertain, according to Brandon.
Acting superintendent Rachel Stasny emphasized the complex nature of the recovery, stating, “Some of the slides are actually inaccessible until you fix other slides. So you can’t tackle them concurrently. You have to fix them sequentially in order to access the slides, to bring in heavy equipment.”
Visitors should note that even in reopened areas, many trails remain closed, compounded by staffing shortages. Stasny advised, “Whenever you’re on the parkway, even in a good year, visitors do need to take some level of responsibility when it comes to outdoor recreation and hiking. And I think now more than ever, they should just be aware of additional hazards.”
For the latest updates on trail and road closures or to view images of the recovery efforts, visit nps.gov/blri.
