Nearly 200 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia are now open again.

 A significant stretch of the picturesque Blue Ridge Parkway has reopened for safe travel and fall scenery following Hurricane Helene.

As of Friday, the parkway is accessible from milepost 0 to milepost 198 in Virginia, according to a National Park Service (NPS) news release. This section had been closed due to damage caused by Helene, which, as of Friday, resulted in 238 fatalities and extensive destruction in the Southeast.

The reopening encompasses 198 miles (319 kilometers) of the scenic route from Shenandoah National Park south to Virginia Route 685 - Skyview Drive/Turkey Ridge Road, located near Fancy Gap, as mentioned in the Thursday release.

The NPS plans to reopen the remainder of the parkway in Virginia within the next two weeks. However, the entire section in North Carolina, which experienced more severe impacts from Helene, remains closed.

“Thanks to the hard work of the Blue Ridge Parkway crews, we can now open nearly 200 miles of this vital and scenic route, which showcases the natural beauty and cultural heritage of our region,” said Tracy Swartout, superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

“While we celebrate this progress, we also acknowledge that there is still significant and, in some areas, long-term work ahead in North Carolina,” Swartout added.

In Old Fort, North Carolina, on September 30, a storm-damaged house lies in ruins near the Mountain Gateway Museum sign in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Reports indicate that at least 90 people have died across the southeastern U.S., and millions are without power due to the storm, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane. The White House has authorized disaster declarations for North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama, unlocking federal emergency funds and resources for these states.

Details of the Parkway Reopening

If you're planning a visit, here’s what to expect along the route, as per the NPS release:

• The Humpback Rocks, James River, and Peaks of Otter visitor centers are open.
• The Mabry Mill Cultural Site is operational, and the Eastern National/America’s National Parks sales outlet will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
• Peaks of Otter and Rocky Knob campgrounds will operate on a first-come, first-served basis until Monday. After that, existing reservations will be honored. The Peaks of Otter Lodge will remain open, as it did not close after the storm.
• If you plan to park and hike, the NPS cautions that trail assessments are still in progress, so please exercise caution. You may also find fewer services than usual, as many staff members are assisting in North Carolina.

Upcoming Articles

• The historic Biltmore Estate has sustained “extensive” damage in some areas due to Helene's impact in North Carolina.
• Before-and-after images reveal how Helene reshaped parts of North Carolina.
• An analysis of how Helene devastated western North Carolina and left communities in ruins.
• A detailed look at Hurricane Helene’s extensive path of destruction.