Travel
North Carolina attractions, parks, towns closed after Helene: ‘Please refrain from traveling’
Hard-hit North Carolina tourist towns, ski resorts and tourist attractions are asking visitors to stay away, at least temporarily, as they recover from Hurricane Helene floods and damage.
The mountains are popular for fall scenic drives, but Department of Transportation officials say it’s too dangerous to travel right now, and they hope to keep roads open for emergency vehicles.
Many resort towns and quaint communities still do not have power and are under boil orders. The active recovery phase is ongoing.
“Until further notice, we are asking all visitors to please refrain from traveling to Haywood County, as visitors may place additional strain on disaster relief efforts. This region is still in an active emergency, and all resources need to be entirely focused on our residents and emergency workers,” Haywood County Tourism Development Authority officials shared.
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Here’s a look at what attractions, roads, state parks and communities are closed or asking visitors to avoid:
On track to open for the season. “Appalachian Ski Mtn. was very fortunate to have only incurred minimal damage during Hurricane Helene. Our thoughts are with our friends, neighbors, and family who have been impacted by this historic storm.”
Do not travel to Asheville. From the North Carolina Department of Transportation: “Reminder: Travel in Western NC is limited to local and hurricane response traffic.”
Banner Elk
Please stay away for now. “As much as we’d like to welcome you, we request that you refrain from traveling to Banner Elk until further notice.”
Beech Mountain Resort
Check for updates. “Due to the disruption caused by the storm, we are delaying our annual season pass sale by at least one week as we work to restore power and bring our office back online. While the situation is evolving, we will post updates frequently and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”
Closed until at least Oct. 15. “We will continue to provide updates about operations beyond that date as they are available.”
Closed indefinitely from milepost 217 to milepost 469, from the Virginia and North Carolina state line down to U.S. 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Blowing Rock
Closed. “At the moment we are taking things day by day.”
Cataloochee Ski Area
On track to open for the season. “Necessary repairs to the area are underway and we are full speed ahead, as well as on schedule, for the upcoming season.”
Cataloochee Valley fall drives
Impassible or closed.
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Closed through at least Oct. 31.
Crowders Mountain State Park
Closed through at least Oct. 31.
Elk Knob State Park
Closed through at least Oct. 31.
Gorges State Park
Closed through at least Oct. 31.
Grandfather Mountain State Park
Closed through at least Oct. 31.
Closed until further notice. “We have turned our focus from park operations to humanitarian efforts in our area until our communities become more sustainable and are working with a number of Avery County nonprofits, other regional businesses and our tourism friends on this.”
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Open with limitations. Balsam Mountain, Cataloochee and Big Creek areas are closed.
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On track to open for the season in late November. “We were blessed to not experience the storm at the magnitude that many others did.”
Lake James State Park
Closed through at least Oct. 31.
Lake Junaluska
Considered closed. “We are strongly encouraging visitors to reschedule their upcoming trips for another time,” county officials said.
Lake Norman State Park
Closed through at least Oct. 31.
Maggie Valley
Considered closed. “Until further notice, we are asking all visitors to please refrain from traveling to Haywood County, as visitors may place additional strain on disaster relief efforts,” county officials said.
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
Closed through at least Oct. 31.
Mount Mitchell State Park
Closed through at least Oct. 31.
Nantahala National Forest
Recreation sites closed until further notice. This includes Panthertown Valley Trailheads, Whitewater Falls, Balsam Lake Picnic Area and Shelters, Yellow Mountain Fire Tower.
New River State Park
Closed through at least Oct. 31.
Pisgah National Forest
Recreation facilities closed “until hazardous conditions improve and assessments can be completed.”
Rendezvous Mountain
Closed through at least Oct. 31.
Roan Mountain State Park
Closed. Those with reservations can call 888-867-2757.
Check for updates. “We are working hard, and are confident we will be able to make Oktoberfest happen as planned.”
South Mountains State Park
Closed through at least Oct. 31.
Stone Mountain State Park (North Carolina)
Closed through at least Oct. 31.
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