About 20 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Blowing Rock, North Carolina, area reopened to traffic Wednesday/NPS

Roughly 20 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina reopened to traffic Wednesday, though many more miles remain closed as cleanup and damage repairs tied to Hurricane Helene continued along the iconic route.

The stretch from milepost 285.5 at Bamboo Gap to milepost 305 near Beacon Heights in the Blowing Rock area was opened Wednesday morning. This is the first section of roadway to open since the hurricane pounded the region last month. Opening this stretch provides improved transportation links while communities address ongoing storm recovery on other local routes, a release from the National Park Service said.

"We realize how critical the Parkway is for our region,” said Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout. “While much work remains, we are prioritizing our efforts in less-damaged areas that have the most impact for community connectivity, and that we are able to reopen safely. We are anticipating opening additional sections of the Parkway that support adjoining communities, soon.” 

Because the parkway is a narrow, two-lane road with shifting grades, curves, and limited sight distances, commercial vehicles are prohibited on the Blue Ridge Parkway for the safety of all drivers, the release said. There are no truck lanes, runaway truck ramps, or places for a large commercial vehicle to slow down and pull over. Violators will be subject to a citation as well as a fine of up to $5,000. 

Park visitors are also urged to use extra caution when visiting the parkway areas that are open. Visitors should anticipate closed facilities and trails in this approximately 20-mile section of the park and follow directions on local signage regarding facility or trail closures.   

Sites still closed for ongoing assessment and repair within the specified corridor include: 

• Interior of the Moses Cone Manor House and Carriage Barn restrooms, milepost 294.0 
• Boone Fork Trail, milepost 296.5  
• Price Park Campground, milepost 296.9 

Areas open to visitors within the specified corridor include: 

• Bass Lake (restrooms available), milepost 294 
• Moses Cone Manor House parking and carriage trails (no restrooms available), in and around milepost 294 
• Price Lake Picnic Area (expect portable toilets), milepost 296.4 
• Other trails between milepost 285.5 and 305 (use with extreme caution) 

Visitors should be aware that trail assessments have not been completed and caution should be exercised when hiking. Visitors may encounter hazards on trails such as landslides, tree debris, and washed-out sections or bridges. For safety reasons, the park asks that people continue to be patient and respect remaining closures. Multiple seen and unseen hazards exist in closed areas and crews and heavy equipment will be working to make areas safe for reentry.  

The hurricane left tens of thousands of downed trees across the roadway and caused nearly three dozen rock and mud slides. The slides have occurred above and below the road and have also severely damaged or swept away the roadbed in numerous places. To date, crews have reopened over 200 miles of road.