Updated Oct 23, 2024 - News

Towns welcoming visitors in western North Carolina

Ashley Mahoney

Fred's in Beech Mountain. — Fred's is a staple in Beech Mountain. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

Towns across western North Carolina are slowly rebuilding weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the region. Part of that process includes welcoming visitors.

Why it matters: Tourism plays a massive role in the economy of many of these mountain communities, especially in the fall as folks flock west to see the leaves change color, pick apples, head out for a hike or soak up a weekend getaway.

Zoom in: Outdoor activities, whether you're hiking or walking the grounds of the Biltmore Estate, are a large draw for western North Carolina. Grandfather Mountain will reopen on Oct. 23 at 9am.

The Biltmore will reopen on Nov. 2 for holiday festivities.

Go deeper: Several North Carolina state parks reopening after Helene

Driving the news: Non-essential travel is allowed again in western North Carolina, WRAL reported, and 870 roads have reopened.

Yes, but: Much of the Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed in North Carolina. Roughly 20 miles of it reopened near Blowing Rock on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from milepost 285.5, at Bamboo Gap, to milepost 305, near Beacon Heights.

Nearly an additional 55 miles of the parkway reopened on Oct. 30 from milepost 411.8 to 421 (US 276 to Black Balsam) and milepost 423.2 to 469 (NC 215 to US 441). The latter section is in Cherokee, N.C. near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance.
Access to an additional six miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mount Pisgah was restored on Nov. 1 from milepost 405.5 (near NC Route 151) to Milepost 411.8 (at NC Route 276).

The bottom line: There is a Before Helene and an After Helene, and all of North Carolina will play a role in shaping After Helene, as Axios' Michael Graff reported.

"Please don't forget us," Asheville resident Matt Van Swol posted in a video of damaged areas Friday.

Here is a look at towns currently welcoming visitors, according to Visit North Carolina. Take a look at Visit NC's interactive map for the full list.

Keep in mind that some towns are only in the process of reopening. Check town websites before traveling.
Check DriveNC.gov for current road conditions before you travel, too.

Editor's note: Towns are listed alphabetically and are open without limitations unless otherwise noted.

Asheville

Some limitations.
The Omni Grove Park Inn, for instance, is temporarily closed and is canceling its popular annual National Gingerbread House Competition.

Distance: 2 hours 7 minutes from Charlotte; 4 hours from Raleigh

Bakersville

Distance: 3 hours 12 minutes from Charlotte; Roughly 5 hours from Raleigh

Black Mountain

Some limitations.

Distance: 1 hour 53 minutes from Charlotte; 3 hours 45 minutes from Raleigh

Beech Mountain

Ski season starts on Nov. 29 at Beech Mountain Resort.

Distance: 2 hours 47 minutes from Charlotte; 3 hours 51 minutes from Raleigh

Some limitations.

Distance: Roughly 2 hours from Charlotte; 3 hours 40 minutes from Raleigh

The first date for ski season at Sugar Mountain Resort is TBD.

Distance: 2.5 hours from Charlotte; 3.5 hours from Raleigh

Ashe County, which includes West Jefferson, has a list of open businesses, from where to stay and eat to things to things to do.

Distance: 2.5 hours from Charlotte; Roughly 3 hours from Raleigh

Western North Carolina towns currently not welcoming visitors, as of Oct. 22, include:

Banner Elk
Bat Cave
Burnsville
Chimney Rock Village
Gerton
Hot Springs
Marshall
Lake Lure
Old Fort
Spruce Pine
Swannanoa

Editor's note: This story was originally published on Oct. 22 and was updated on Nov. 1 to include state parks reopening.

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Towns welcoming visitors in western North Carolina

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