A practical guide to driving the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville after Helene, including which sections are open, which are closed, and the best stops.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best reasons to visit Asheville, and it was badly damaged by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Two years on, much of the Asheville area is open, but not all of it. This guide summarizes what the National Park Service's road status page listed on September 26, 2026. Conditions change, so always check the official status page before you go.
What Is Closed
The NPS lists two Helene-related closures near Asheville, both with access of any kind prohibited: mileposts 333.9 to 342.1 (Little Switzerland to Victor Crossing) and 344.2 to 355.3 (NC Highway 80 to Mount Mitchell State Park). Craggy Gardens Picnic Area and Linville Falls Campground and Picnic Area are also closed. Everything else in the Asheville stretch that we could confirm is listed as open, including the Craggy Gardens area, the Folk Art Center, the road past park headquarters, the Mount Pisgah area, and the Graveyard Fields area.
Best Stops From Asheville
- Folk Art Center (milepost 382): craft galleries, the Allanstand Craft Shop, and a library.
- Craggy Gardens (about milepost 364): trails and views, with the picnic area closed.
- Mount Mitchell State Park: reached from the Asheville side only.
Driving Tips
- Expect a reduced speed limit and possible one-lane traffic near damaged sections.
- Allow more time than the map suggests. This is a scenic road, not a fast one.
- Fill up and pack food before you go. Some picnic areas are closed.
- Fall color usually arrives at high elevations first, so weekends in October are busy.
Plan Around It
See our Parkway page, best hikes near Asheville, and first-timer weekend plan. If you are combining it with Biltmore, see Biltmore Estate.
Details about businesses mentioned in this article (hours, offerings, atmosphere, and more) may change or may not be fully accurate. Spot something that needs a correction? Let us know and we'll fix it right away.
