Blue Ridge Parkway Reopens 12-Mile Section

linville

A 12-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Blowing Rock and Linville Falls reopened today after nearly a year of closures caused by landslides and debris from Hurricane Helene in September 2024.

The National Park Service (NPS) announced that the reopening—from milepost 305 to milepost 317—is the first of several sections expected to become accessible in the coming weeks as Phase 1 of the parkway’s repair work wraps up.

Hurricane Helene triggered at least 57 landslides along the 200-mile North Carolina portion of the Parkway. Repairs are being carried out in three major phases:

  • Phase 1 includes 12 projects across eight areas. Once completed by fall 2025, it will reopen more than 48 miles of the parkway.

  • Phase 2 will address 21 landslide zones between milepost 318.2 and 323.4, just south of Linville Falls. Contracting is underway, with completion expected in fall 2026.

  • Phase 3 is currently in the planning stage and will focus on over 23 damaged sites between milepost 336.7 and 351.9, from Little Switzerland to Mount Mitchell.

The phased approach is designed to safely reopen portions of the parkway while allowing construction teams access to difficult-to-reach sites. Visitors are urged to use caution on trails, as damage assessments continue and hazards like landslides, tree debris, and washed-out paths or bridges remain.

For travel planning and the latest closure updates, visit go.nps.gov/Helene.

Top photo: Linville Falls Visitor Center after Helene. Above photo: Aeirel view of downed trees on Parkway.  Below: Parkway at Linville. Photos courtesy of National Park Service.

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