Blue Ridge Parkway Reopens for Fall Riding

Major road repairs restore access to one of America’s most celebrated motorcycle touring routes as autumn colors arrive.

Motorcycle riders planning a fall trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway have good reason to celebrate. The National Park Service (NPS) announced October 5 that 458 miles of the scenic highway’s 469 miles are now accessible, following the completion of several major road repair and rehabilitation projects.

The reopenings come at an ideal time for fall touring, as autumn colors spread across the Appalachian Mountains. The 469-mile Parkway, stretching from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, is among America’s most popular motorcycle touring destinations. Its sweeping curves, mountain vistas, and scenic overlooks make it particularly appealing to sport touring riders.

Much of the recent work focused on repairing damage from Hurricane Helene, which devastated portions of western North Carolina in September 2024. Of the 60 landslide repairs required along the Parkway following the storm, 48 have been completed, with work continuing on the remaining 12.

Major Road Projects Completed

Two recently reopened sections in western North Carolina are particularly significant for riders exploring the Linville Falls and Little Switzerland areas.

The first extends from milepost 317.5, near Linville Falls and the US Highway 221 junction, south to milepost 324.7 near the Bear Den Mountain campground area. This stretch reconnects a scenic portion of the Parkway between Linville Falls and the mountain communities farther south.

The second reopened section runs from milepost 333.9 at Little Switzerland to approximately milepost 340.2, approaching the North Carolina Highway 80 intersection. This area is especially popular with motorcyclists exploring the winding mountain roads surrounding Little Switzerland.

In Virginia, the NPS completed a multiyear pavement rehabilitation project between mileposts 115 and 121 near Roanoke, including the area around Explore Park and the Roanoke River.

Additional improvements in northwestern North Carolina include the reopening of Deep Gap Bridge at milepost 276.4, near Boone and the US Highway 421 interchange. The NPS also restored access to two campground loops at Julian Price Campground, near Blowing Rock at milepost 297. Campground reservations are available through October 30.

Another major reconstruction project was completed in September along the Boone and Blowing Rock corridor, extending from milepost 229.6 north of Doughton Park to milepost 305.1 near Grandfather Mountain.

An 11-Mile Section Remains Closed

Despite the substantial progress, an approximately 11-mile section of the Parkway remains closed between mileposts 344.2 and 355.3, from the North Carolina Highway 80 intersection south of Little Switzerland to the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park.

This stretch, located northeast of Asheville, sustained significant damage during Hurricane Helene and remains closed to all recreational access. The NPS expects to complete repairs and reopen the section by the end of 2026.

Riders traveling between Little Switzerland and Asheville, or planning an end-to-end Parkway trip, will need to leave the Parkway and follow connecting highways around the closure.

The NPS also reports a separate temporary closure in Virginia between mileposts 63.5 and 63.9, near the James River Visitor Center and the community of Big Island, for bridge rehabilitation. A signed detour is in place.

Planning a Fall Ride

With nearly the entire Parkway accessible again, riders have an opportunity to experience one of America’s great scenic highways during its most colorful season. However, changing mountain weather, construction activity, and seasonal maintenance can still affect travel.

Before heading out, riders should consult the NPS Blue Ridge Parkway Road Status and Closures page for current conditions, detours, and facility availability.