One year after Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact, the resilience of Western North Carolina is as clear as the crisp mountain air. As the Blue Ridge Mountains prepare for their annual autumn display, this season is special: We’ll visit not only to see the fall leaves but also to celebrate the spirit of our mountain towns.

For travelers across the Carolinas and beyond, visiting this season is a powerful way to support local communities in their rebuilding efforts.

To help you plan your trip, we’ve confirmed what’s open and what remains closed at top Western North Carolina tourist attractions for September 2025.

The Blue Ridge Parkway

Status: Partially open

Notes: Before you make plans to visit the mountains, check the National Park Service’s real-time road closure map ahead of planning any travel along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Beech Mountain

Town of Beech Mountain

Status: Open

Notes: At 5,506 feet and the highest town in the Southeast, Beech Mountain is typically the first in the area to receive fall color. It’ll be ski season soon enough, but before you start checking the slope reports, you can visit for the autumn views. Here are a couple of restaurants to visit on your trip:

5,506’ inside Beech Mountain Ski Resort, 1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC 28604
Slope View Cafe at Top of the Beech Hotel, 606 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC 28604

Hot Springs

Downtown Hot Springs

Status: Open

Notes: Downtown Hot Springs sustained massive damage as a result of Helene, but a year later the town is celebrating its rebuilding efforts. The local tourism commission is hosting an event on Saturday, Sept. 27, which invites people to explore the town one year after the hurricane. Check the town’s calendar for more events, including movie nights and live music. A couple of restaurants to check out:

Hot Springs Resort & Spa

Status: Open

Location: 315 Bridge St, Hot Springs, NC 28743

Notes: Hot Springs Resort & Spa has limited available units to rent, according to its website, so you’ll want to plan ahead for your spa vacation that includes access to its naturally occurring hot springs. You can stay at the resort or just book time for a mineral bath.

Mount Mitchell State Park

Status: Open

Notes: After a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway reopened between Asheville and Mount Mitchell recently, Mount Mitchell State Park was finally able to reopen after almost a year. At 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi River. Its hiking trails are mostly open.

Hickory Nut Gorge area

Chimney Rock State Park

Status: Open

Notes: Chimney Rock State Park reopened in June. Reserve your tickets online at chimneyrockpark.com and make sure to allow for extra travel time, the park suggests.

Lake Lure (the lake itself)

Status: Lake drained / closed for recreation

Notes: The lake was partially drained after the hurricane and the Town of Lake Lure has announced a tentative timeline that includes Lake Lure reopening in May 2026.

Lake Lure town and businesses

Status: Open

Notes: Many of Lake Lure’s shops and restaurants are open for business and welcoming visitors. Check individual places before you go.

The 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa

Status: Open

Notes: The Lake Lure Inn & Spa, the historic inn that was used in filming of “Dirty Dancing”, reopened in October, but its spa remains closed.

Asheville area

Biltmore Estate

Status: Open

Notes: The historic Biltmore Estate is open and recently hosted “Good Morning America” as part of the show celebrating the best in each of the 50 states.

Downtown Asheville

Status: Open

Notes: Asheville’s shops, restaurants, galleries, artist studios and restaurants are open, according to Explore Asheville.

The Omni Grove Park Inn

Status: Open

Notes: The Omni Grove Park Inn, a historic hotel known for its luxurious spa, reopened in November. Entries for its 2025 Annual National Gingerbread House Competition are now being accepted, after it the event was canceled last year — though the inn put gingerbread displays all around Asheville instead.

Western North Carolina Nature Center

Status: Open

Location: 75 Gashes Crk Rd, Asheville, NC 28805

Notes: The Gashes Creek Bridge was destroyed during Hurricane Helene, so take note of the alternate route listed on Western North Carolina Nature Center’s website. The wildlife refuge is taking donations for a new quarantine space, as its prior one was washed away in the storm.

North Carolina Arboretum

Status: Open

Location: 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806

Notes: The North Carolina Arboretum reopened in October after sustaining monumental storm damage, with many its 10-mile trail network reopening in the months following. Check out the Arboretum’s website for current events and displays, including a Bonsai Exhibition Garden.

Tubing on the French Broad River

Status: Check water safety advisories; some companies are closed for 2025 season

Notes: Water safety advisories offer different recommendations based on whether you plan to go swimming (full immersion) or tubing/paddleboarding on the French Broad River. E.coli levels are being monitored after Hurricane Helene, as well as the potential for submerged debris. The cleanup efforts have been strong: More than 3 million pounds of debris was removed from around the river after the storm, according to John Stamper, MountainTrue’s river cleanup coordinator. “We’re excited to welcome folks back to the region,” he recently said in a video interview with Explore Asheville.

Some outfitters may offer tubing put-in spots that are away from the storm’s damage, including Zen Tubing, which opened its Flagship South location and not in the RAD area this past season. However, Zen’s tubing is now closed at all locations for the 2025 season. A full list of local water activity operators is available at exploreasheville.com.

Visit frenchbroadwaterquality.com for the latest water safety advisories and frenchbroadpaddle.com for details about the French Broad Paddle Trail access locations.

High Country (Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Linville)

Grandfather Mountain

Status: Partially open

Notes: Grandfather Mountain is worth a visit, and you don’t have to take our word for it: the state park was recently named one of the best in the country. The Grandfather Mountain nature park and preserve are open, including its Mile High Swinging Bridge, several trails and visitor facilities. Note the nature park’s new hours due to the fall season. At the state park, The Profile Trail remains closed due to unsafe conditions; other trails have reopened.

Tweetsie Railroad

Status: Open

Notes: Tweetsie Railroad, which closed for longer than expected after Hurricane Helene, reopened in time for Tweetsie Christmas last year. Visit this fall season for a ride on its Ghost Train on Friday and Saturday nights or regular operating hours on Sundays.

Downtown Boone

Status: Open

Notes: Downtown Boone worked to quickly to reopen many of its restaurants and shops in the weeks after Hurricane Helene. A couple of restaurants to check out:

Blowing Rock

Status: Open

Notes: None of Blowing Rock’s infrastructure was destroyed in the storm, calling itself extremely fortunate. Local restaurants and shops are open and welcoming visitors, including:

Restaurant at Gideon Ridge Inn, 202 Gideon Ridge Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
The Speckled Trout, 922 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Linville Falls

Status: Partially open

Notes: The Linville Falls overlook trails have partially reopened after the storm. As of last month, Chimney View, Erwin’s View and Gorge View trails are accessible and The Upper Falls Trail remains closed. An updated trail map can be found on the National Park Service website.

Hendersonville, Brevard & ‘The Land of Waterfalls’

Sky Top Orchard (Flat Rock)

Status: Open

Notes: The family run Sky Top Orchard is not only open, it recently ranked among the nation’s best apple orchards, according to USA Today. Visit the orchard for seasonal varieties of U-pick apples, fresh pressed apple cider, hard cider, apple cider doughnuts and hayrides and other attractions are available.

Downtown Hendersonville

Status: Open

Notes: Downtown Hendersonville began welcoming back visitors last autumn, just a few weeks after the storm. Local restaurants to visit include:

Brooks Tavern, 142 3rd Avenue W, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Harvey’s @ The Henderson, 201 3rd Avenue W, Hendersonville, NC 28739

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Mills River)

Status: Open

Location: 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Fletcher, NC 28732

Notes: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., along with its taproom and restaurant, are open and welcoming visitors to its Mills River location. Reserve your spot ahead of time on the brewery’s website or join a live waiting list if you’re making last-minute plans.

DuPont State Recreational Forest

Status: Partially open

Notes: Many of DuPont State Recreational Forest’s trails are still closed after Hurricane Helene, according to the N.C. Forest Service. The Friends of DuPont Forest website has a list of waterfalls to explore and the trails you’ll need to use to get there.

Sliding Rock

Status: Officially closed for the season

Notes: Sliding Rock officially closed for the season on Labor Day weekend and will reopen Memorial Day weekend 2026. Until then, the site is available but at your own risk — no lifeguards will be on duty or restrooms will be available. Water conditions can be unpredictable, so it’s safest to go during the official season when they will be monitored.

Helene in NC

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