The Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia has reopened its 198-mile stretch from milepost 0 to milepost 198, following closures imposed by Hurricane Helene.
This stretch of the scenic byway runs from Shenandoah National Park south to Virginia Route 685, covering a distance of 198 miles. The reopening allows visitors to access several key attractions that were affected by the storm.
Humpback Rocks, James River, and Peaks of Otter visitor centers will resume operations, as power and water have been restored to all facilities where they existed before the hurricane.
Additionally, the Mabry Mill Cultural Site will be open to the public, with the Eastern National/America’s National Parks sales outlet operating daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Peaks of Otter and Rocky Knob campgrounds will also welcome visitors on a first-come, first-served basis until October 14. After that date, existing reservations will again be honored.
According to a press release, it is important to note that Otter Creek Campground, which was closed for the season prior to the storm, will remain closed. Peaks of Otter Lodge has continued operations throughout the closure.
The National Park Service (NPS) has indicated that they are hopeful about reopening the remainder of the parkway in Virginia within the next two weeks.
“Due to the hard work of the Blue Ridge Parkway crews, we are able to open nearly 200 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, a vital and scenic route that both embodies the natural beauty and cultural heritage of our region and plays a vital role in the local economy through tourism and community engagement,” said Tracy Swartout, superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
While celebrating the reopening, Swartout emphasized the ongoing challenges in North Carolina, where the storm caused more severe impacts. Swartout noted, “While we celebrate this achievement, we also recognize that significant and, in some areas, long-term work remains in North Carolina. We are committed to restoring all sections of the parkway to the highest standards of safety and accessibility for our visitors.”