Beloved State Park Reopens for the First Time Since Hurricane Helene Devastation

At long last, and just days before fall officially begins, a beloved state park in North Carolina has reopened nearly a year after its closure due to Hurricane Helene, which devastated the area.

The National Park Service on Monday announced that Mount Mitchell State Park has reopened. What's more, the news is in conjunction with the picturesque Blue Ridge Parkway reopening from milepost 382, in Asheville, N.C., to milepost 355.4, near the entrance to the state park.

“North Carolinians and travelers from across the country will be able to visit Mount Mitchell State Park just in time for leaf season,” said Governor Josh Stein in a statement. “I am grateful to the National Park Service and NCDOT teams for their hard work to reopen this stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway and excited that people can continue to see what makes western North Carolina unforgettable.”

The park underwent repairs to the parkway south of the park and as far north as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Blue Ridge Parkway will remain closed from just past Mount Mitchell's entrance to milepost 334 near Little Switzerland, with repairs that could take another year.

“We are eager to welcome back our visitors to enjoy the iconic views at Mount Mitchell,” said State Parks Director Brian Strong. “We ask that visitors be mindful of continued facility closures, including those within neighboring public lands. We are continuing to make repairs at Mount Mitchell as well, so please use caution on the park roads and trails. Our priority is always the safety of our visitors and staff.”

Related: Iconic National Park Just Had Its Busiest Month in Nearly 4 Decades

Hurricane Helen's impact

Hurricane Helen leveled trees and caused widespread landslides, as many as 57. The devastation was so intense that, according to the Charlotte Observer & News, all 13 state parks west of Interstate 77 were closed following the storm.

Mount Mitchell was the last park to reopen. Along with Chimney Rock, Mount Mitchell was inaccessible by car due to washed-out roads and bridges.

According to The Herald, the restaurant atop Mount Mitchell will also remain closed, though a concession stand will reportedly open on weekends. The restaurant's location is the highest point in the eastern U.S.

What else is open?

Now that a major stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway is open, visitors can now access some of the park's most popular sites, including the Craggy Gardens area and the Craggy Pinnacle Trail.

A short section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is also open. The Craggy Gardens Picnic area, however, is closed.