BALSAM, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Several sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway have reopened, including two near Waynesville and another in the Blowing Rock area.

The National Park Service restored access to nearly 55 miles of the southern section of the parkway on Wednesday morning.

Milepost 411.8 to 421, from U.S. 276 to Black Balsam, including:

  • Graveyard Fields overlook and trailheads at milepost 418.8.
  • All trails and trail crossings in this corridor (use extreme caution).

Milepost 423.2 to 469, from N.C. 215 to U.S. 441 in Cherokee, near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance, including:

  • All trails and trail 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 a.m.-5 p.m. until Nov. 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 because of a significant landslide that impacted the roadway during Hurricane Helene, National Park Service officials said in a news release. Many areas along the parkway remain closed as crews clear widespread debris, remove hazard trees and install hardened closures around road sections that will require lengthy reconstruction. The Devil’s Courthouse closure is expected to be in place for an extended period as plans for permanent reconstruction are developed and implemented, the NPS news release said.

“The parkway is an important travel corridor for our surrounding communities and a treasured recreation destination,” Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout said in the news release. “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.”

Blowing Rock area 

The parkway opened to traffic from milepost 285.5, at Bamboo Gap, to milepost 305, near Beacon Heights, in the Blowing Rock area on Oct. 23. It was the first section of roadway to open in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.

“We realize how critical the parkway is for our region,” Swartout said in a news release. “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.”

Park visitors are urged to use extra caution when visiting the open parkway areas. Visitors should anticipate closed facilities and trails and follow directions on local signage regarding facility or trail closures.

Sites 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 that will be 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. Visitors should anticipate changing conditions and share their travel plans with others in advance.

The hurricane left tens of thousands of downed trees across the roadway and caused nearly three dozen rock and mudslides. The slides have occurred above and below the road and have also severely damaged or swept away the roadbed in numerous places.Since Sept. 30, 2024, more than 100 Blue Ridge Parkway employees, along with more than 275 employees from 37 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, representing 64 parks and offices across the NPS, have been on the parkway assisting with recovery efforts. Their expertise spans a wide variety of roles including sawyers, carpenters, arborists and equipment operators.

The NPS has not 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.