Travel Information
Reopening in Stages and Pockets
The Asheville area is reopening in stages and pockets. As of October 19, Visit NC’s travel update page, using data from state departments of safety and transportation, has designated Buncombe County, Asheville and Black Mountain as safe to visit, with a recommendation to “plan ahead.” Weaverville is cleared for safe travel.
The airport is open and operational, and Biltmore plans to reopen on November 2. Many businesses—including restaurants, shops, hotels, tours, breweries, performance venues and art galleries—have reopened, though some may have limited hours or reduced menus."
There are areas that need more time and support. We are mindful that high impact areas—including parts of the River Arts District, Biltmore Village and Swannanoa—have a much longer road ahead, so checking status online, calling ahead and making sure roads are open is strongly advised before traveling to these areas. We are here for our neighbors throughout western North Carolina. Our community is making progress slowly but surely, and safely. Planning is key. If you want to support local businesses, please visit respectfully, with heart and patience.
If you have travel plans to Asheville in early November, please check with your lodging provider and any businesses you wish to visit to confirm their availability. Additionally, consult DriveNC.gov for information on open roads and safe routes to your destination.
Openings
Please check attraction and business websites and social media channels for the most up-to-date information.
- What's Open: Restaurants and Retail in Asheville, Buncombe County. More info here.
- Biltmore Estate: Reopening November 2. More info here.
- The Blue Ridge Parkway: The National Park Service restored access to an additional six miles from milepost 405.5, near NC Route 151, to ilepost 411.8, at NC Route 276 on Nov. 1. This extends an open section of the Parkway announced earlier this week from milepost 411.8 to 421. Campgrounds, picnic areas, and other visitor services in this newly opened section of the park are closed for the 2024 season. The Blue Ridge Parkway previously reopened from milepost 285.5 at Bamboo Gap to milepost 305 near Beacon Heights in the Blowing Rock area, milepost 411.8 to 421, from US 276 to Black Balsam, including Graveyard Fields overlook and trailheads at milepost 418.8, milepost 423.2 to 469, from NC 215 to US 441 in Cherokee, NC, near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance, including all trails and trail crossings in this corridor (use extreme caution). Also open: Heintooga Spur Road to the Masonic marker, Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and Park Store at milepost 451.2, which will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. until November 11. More info here.
- Grandfather Mountain reopened Oct. 23. More info here.
- Several Buncombe County Parks have reopened. More info here.
- Asheville area restaurant re-openings. See the complete list here.
- Pisgah National Forests have reopened certain campgrounds, roads and recreation areas, including Davidson River Campground & Recreation Area; Cove Creek Upper & Lower Campgrounds; Kuykendall Group Campground; Wash Creek Horse Camp and Wolf Ford Horse Camp. More info here.
- 32 Asheville city parks have reopened. Find the complete list here.
- NC Arboretum is open as of Oct. 28. The Arboretum's Winter Lights are planned for Nov. 15 - Dec. 31. Tickets are on sale now.
- The River Arts District will mark its reopening with a two-day celebration of perseverance on Nov. 9-10 from noon to sunset. Roberts Street, Clingman Avenue, and Depot Street (down to 362 Depot St. by NorthLight Studios) will welcome patrons with open studios, galleries, music and food trucks. The soft opening weekend will also launch a weekly art market, where displaced artists will sell their work in the parking lot of Pine Gate Renewables at 130 Roberts St. You’re encouraged to walk to the event or carpool to mitigate parking issues
Planning Your Visit
Just like local businesses and restaurants across the Asheville area, many hotels and inns are open and safely welcoming guests. Planning ahead is essential. The Asheville area welcomes visitors who come with patience and heart as they support us and return to this special place.
The best travel plan is to check online and call lodging properties directly to learn what to expect and confirm that your needs will be met.
While water and power have been widely restored across the area, limitations remain in pockets of the community. The City of Asheville remains on a system wide boil water notice. Just like restaurants, many hotels and inns have secured their own potable (drinking) water with water tankers. Other are providing bottled water and added amenities to support ease and comfort across the guest experience. Some properties have chosen to remain closed.
The heart of our local hospitality community has never been more alive than the days and weeks following Hurricane Helene--from beds and meals for first responders to care and clean-up in the community.
A smile, a kind word, and a tip for the local people who graciously serve our guests is more appreciated and needed than ever. Your plans to return give us hope and heart.
Closures
- Mount Mitchell State Park and Gorges State Park have been closed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. More info here.
- I-40 is closed near the NC/TN border. Alternate routes add 40–75 minutes’ drive time.
- I-26 is one lane near the NC/TN border near Erwin, TN. Please plan for minor delays.
- For real-time traffic updates, road closure information, and alternate routes, please visit DriveNC.gov.
- Lake Powhatan Campground & Recreation Area; North Mills River Campground & Recreation Area; Pisgah Glamping at Lake Powhatan; Sliding Rock Recreation Area; Sunburst Campground; White Pine South Group Campground.
- Blue Ridge Parkway: Specific information and updates on closed sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway is available here.
- Click here for all North Carolina State Park closures.
Getting Here
By Air
The Asheville Regional Airport is open and operating.
By Car
Critical highways like I-40 eastbound and I-26 are accessible as detailed below.
Open Highways and Interstates:
- I-26 (south of Mars Hill/Mile 9/U.S. 19)
- I-40 (southeast of Cove Creek/Mile 21)
- U.S. 23
- U.S. 25/U.S. 25A
- U.S. 70
- U.S. 74
Current Road Closures:
- I-40 (northwest of Cove Creek/Tennessee Border to Mile 20)
- I-26 (Tennessee Border to north of Mars Hill/Miles 1-9)
- U.S. 64
- U.S. 19
- North Carolina Highway 215, 226 and 197
Alternate Routes:
The impacts of Hurricane Helene have necessitated road closures near the North Carolina and Tennessee border, including I-40 eastbound and westbound near Mile 21 (30 miles west of Asheville). As businesses reopen in stages, travelers may use the following open routes into the Asheville area and Buncombe County:
- From the northwest: I-81 to U.S. 70 to I-26
- From the southwest: I-85 to U.S. 25 to I-26
- From the south: Take U.S. 74 Alt to U.S. 74 East toward Shelby and connect with I-85 to Charlotte
The latest road openings and closures can be found at DriveNC.gov.