Blue Ridge Parkway to be closed indefinitely in North Carolina due to storm damage

America's favorite drive, Blue Ridge Parkway, is closed indefinitely throughout North Carolina due to damage from Tropical Storm Helene.

The National Park Service announced on Sept. 29 that the route was closed from milepost 217 to milepost 469, from the Virginia and North Carolina state line down to U.S. 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Blue Ridge Highway, renowned for its beautiful landscape, is a widely popular attraction, especially in the fall. In 2023, the trail saw 16.7 million visitors, according to the National Park Service. It is one of the most visited national parks in the country.

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The long route begins in Shenandoah National Park before winding through the Blue Ridge Mountains and ending in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

In the aftermath of Helene, the National Park Service is continuing to conduct an assessment of the damage. There are 99 National Park Service employees from 22 states and the District of Columbia working with Blue Ridge Parkway staff on its recovery.

There is no date set to reopen any portion of the trail in North Carolina. However, travelers looking to follow the Blue Ridge Parkway can still access the route as it passes through Virginia

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Blue Ridge Parkway to be closed indefinitely in North Carolina due to storm damage