The Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest are central to life and tourism around Asheville, and both took damage from Hurricane Helene that closed roads, trails and access points. This guide explains the current picture and how to check status, because conditions change and official sources are the only reliable word.

Why sections closed, and when they reopen

The storm caused landslides, washouts and tree damage across the mountains, forcing closures on parts of the Parkway and in sections of Pisgah. The National Park Service plans to reopen all Helene-closed stretches of the Parkway in North Carolina by the end of 2026, according to Blue Ridge Public Radio, with roughly 40 miles still closed and crews working about 45 landslides. Repairs south of Linville Falls are due by autumn 2026 and the remaining sections by late 2026.

How to check before you go

  • Blue Ridge Parkway: check the National Park Service road-status page for the latest closures before you travel. Expect reduced speed limits, one-lane controls and heavy repair traffic on the corridor between Asheville and Mount Mitchell.
  • Pisgah National Forest: check the US Forest Service alerts and closures for the relevant ranger district. Some forest roads remain closed for Helene-related repairs.
  • State roads: for state-maintained roads in the area, use DriveNC.gov from NCDOT.

Why this matters beyond hiking

Outdoor access here is not just recreation; it is tied to the tourism economy the region's recovery depends on, as we cover in our tourism economy explainer. Reopening scenic routes and trails helps bring visitors back. We track major reopenings as the official agencies announce them.

Be cautious

Do not enter closed areas. Closures after a disaster reflect real hazards such as unstable slopes and damaged infrastructure. Always confirm current conditions with the official source on the day you go. For the wider recovery picture, see our Helene recovery tracker.

Sources