Western NC fall travel guide 2025: What’s open one year after Hurricane Helene?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Western NC towns continue fall tourism one year after Hurricane Helene's impact.
- Key sites like Hendersonville and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. remain open to visitors.
- DuPont Forest trails face closures; Sliding Rock closed until Memorial Day 2026.
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:
- Artisun Gallery and Cafe, 311 NW US 25 70 HWY, Hot Springs, NC 28743
- The Grey Eagle Taqueria at Big Pillow Brewing, 25 Andrews Ave N, Hot Springs, NC 28743
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.
This story was originally published September 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Western NC fall travel guide 2025: What’s open one year after Hurricane Helene?."
