NPS - National Park Service

10/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/30/2024 06:21

National Park Service continues hurricane recovery efforts as two southern sections of Blue Ridge Parkway reopen

News Release Date:
October 30, 2024

Contact:BLRI Public Affairs

BALSAM, N.C. - On Wednesday morning, October 30, 2024, the National Park Service restored access to nearly 55 miles the Blue Ridge Parkway from:

  • Milepost 411.8 to 421, from US 276 to Black Balsam, including:
    • Graveyard Fields overlook and trailheads at milepost 418.8.
    • All trails & trails crossings in this corridor (use extreme caution).
  • Milepost 423.2 to 469, from NC 215 to US 441 in Cherokee, NC, near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance, including:
    • All trails & trails crossings in this corridor (use extreme caution).
    • Heintooga Spur Road to the Masonic marker.
    • Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and Park Store at milepost 451.2, which will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. until November 11, 2024.

The section from milepost 421 to 423.2, between the two open sections and including Devil's Courthouse, remains closed for all uses due to a significant landslide that impacted the roadway during Hurricane Helene. All along the Parkway, areas are closed as crews continue work to clear widespread debris, remove hazard trees, and install hardened closures around road sections that will require lengthy reconstruction. The NPS expects the Devil's Courthouse closure to be in place for an extended period as plans for permanent reconstruction are developed and implemented.

"The Parkway is an important travel corridor for our surrounding communities and a treasured recreation destination," said Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout. "Opening these additional miles of the Parkway in North Carolina is an important step forward, but much work remains. We ask that visitors stay out of the Devil's Courthouse area and all other closed sections, even on foot, for their own safety. Any public use behind closed gates, including hiking and biking, puts workers and visitors at risk."

Due to the severity of the storm, conditions on park roads and trails are still evolving, and are expected to continue to change over the next weeks and months. Visitors should anticipate changing conditions and share their travel plans with others in advance. The NPS has not yet completed trail assessments and caution is encouraged for trail users who may experience hazards resulting from landslides, downed or leaning trees, wash-outs, and other damage. Exercise caution while visiting open areas, including trails. Current known conditions and updates about the Parkway are online at www.nps.gov/blri and the park's social media platforms at @BlueRidgeNPS (Facebook, X, and Instagram).

NPS