Asheville, N.C. (Sept. 15, 2025) –Just in time for Western North Carolina’s world-renowned fall color season, 114 contiguous miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway are now open to travelers through the Asheville area, including a newly reopened 26-mile stretch north to Craggy Gardens and beyond. The reopening marks a major milestone nearly one year after Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage and closures along one of the nation’s most popular National Park units and a famed scenic color route for fall foliage. The good news arrives less than a week before the first day of fall (September 21), a season that draws visitors and leaf peepers from around the country to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville.
The restoration of this key section reconnects some of the most popular portions of the Parkway, adding 114 miles surrounding Asheville to the more than 350 open miles—offering uninterrupted travel both north and south from Asheville to iconic high-elevation destinations, natural wonders and cultural landmarks.
Visitors can now once again enjoy seamless connection from Asheville to top attractions such as Mount Mitchell (the highest peak in the eastern U.S.), south to Craggy Gardens and the Folk Art Center in Asheville. Continuing the journey to the south includes the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, North Carolina Arboretum and the trails and waterfalls surrounding Graveyard Fields, Black Balsam, ending at the southern gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee.
Leaf Experts Predict Colorful 2025 Season
The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most popular vantage points to view fall color, which experts predict will be particularly vibrant and long-lasting this year. With more than 100 tree species spanning 5,000 feet of elevation, the Blue Ridge Mountains are home to one of the longest fall color seasons in the world.
Open Roads, Open Doors & Fall Events
Hurricane Helene struck during last year’s peak travel season, disrupting one of the region’s most critical economic drivers. This fall, the reopening of the Blue Ridge Parkway heralds the reopening of Asheville writ large, which is more than 90 percent open and hosting an array of new restaurant and hotel openings, major art premieres, and fall cultural festivals.
For more information on Asheville fall travel, including weekly color reports, a fall foliage tracking map, and autumn adventure ideas, visit ExploreAsheville.com. A gallery with high-resolution images can be found here – please credit: ExploreAsheville.com. For more information, spokesperson contacts, visual assets, or site visit requests, please contact the PR team at [email protected].
