This Scenic Stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway Is Finally Reopen After Hurricane Helene—Just in Time for Leaf Peeping

More than a year after Hurricane Helene ripped through Asheville, North Carolinaas a Category 4 hurricane, the region now is ready to once again welcome back visitors for some quality leaf peeping.

And to help celebrate, a 26-mile-long section of the Blue Ridge Parkway reopened last month following the completion of two landslide repair projects, according to the National Park Service. The stretch sits between Asheville (milepost 382) and the Ridge Junction Overlook at the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park near NC 80 (milepost 355.3).

The NPS said the opening “marks the completion of an initial round of recovery projects underway to repair landslides that occurred on the Parkway as a result of Hurricane Helene. The park is prioritizing the restoration of road access through a phased system, and additional projects are beginning in 45 remaining locations.”

Along the reopened section, the NPS said travelers can find the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, the Craggy Pinnacle Trail, and short sections of the Mountains to Sea Trail along with access to Mount Mitchell State Parkwhich is home to the highest point east of the Mississippi River.

However, while a large section of the road is back open, not everything along it is. The Craggy Mountains Picnic Area and some sections of the Mountains to Sea Trail (from the Craggy Trail Shelter to the Snowball Mountain Trail) remain closed.

There are about 100 different species of native trees to view in the area, the NPS notedcreating a canopy of color for those who make the drive. And with 5,000 feet of elevation to play with, the Blue Ridge Mountains also boasts one of the longest foliage seasons in the world, according to Explore Asheville.

When it comes to changing leaves, travelers can expect to see peak color in mid- to late-October, according to an interactive foliage map.

Overall, the epic Blue Ridge Parkway spans 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, essentially connecting Shenandoah National Park with Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The road features entrances and exits from all major federal and state highways with plenty of places to camp, hike, and plan an amazing picnic along the way.

Beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains, leaf peepers hoping to take in a cascade of color should consider road trips along the Green Mountain Byway in Vermont, to New York’s Finger Lakes region, along the Pacific Coast Highway in California, on the Pacific Coast in Oregon, and more.