Here is some Western North Carolina autumn travel information for those who maybe planning a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Fall foliage in NC this year is not a high priority due to the extensive destruction in multiple counties in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are places to visit to view fall foliage in the Blue Mountains of NC, but not many. The towns and businesses less affected by Helene are making public their desire for visitors to visit. Getting there may be a challenge. Anyone planning to travel in Western NC should first plan their route using DriveNC.gov.
Locations Not To Go For Tourist
The well-known areas that are so popular during the fall foliage season are almost all closed or not prepared for tourist. The entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC (and VA) is closed until further notice. All NC State Parks west of I77 are closed. This includes Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell, and Chimney Rock. Locations to avoid traveling to are Boone, Lansing, Swannanoa, Linville, Asheville and Biltmore, Buncombe County, and Chimney Rock. These were some of the hardest hit by flooding.
Locations That Are Open And Welcome Business
Locations that have made the public aware that they are open for business include Sylva, Waynesville, Robbinsville, Brevard, Maggie Valley, Murphy, Dillsboro, Blowing Rock, Franklin, Cashiers, Highlands, Cherokee, and Bryson City. Keep in mind, many lodgings/hotels/ motels/resorts are full due to FEMA relocating people to other areas after suffering catastrophic loss. Some resorts are closed to the public because they are lodging the linesmen who are working on repairing the power grid.
If you wish to donate to help please do so. There are many reputable organizations, local churches, and agencies that are taking much-needed supplies and monetary donations.