Travel Update for Western North Carolina

TL;DR:

• Safety is the Top Priority: Ongoing recovery efforts prioritize both visitor and resident safety, with close monitoring of road and area conditions by North Carolina’s safety and transportation departments.
• Open for Business: Most Western NC mountain towns are open and ready for fall adventures, though some roads may have detours or partial closures. Jump to Open/Closed Towns
• Important Travel Routes: I-40 and I-26 near the Tennessee line have closures impacting cross-state travel. Alternative routes are available and listed on DriveNC.gov.
• Real-Time Travel Info: Check DriveNC.gov for up-to-date road conditions and use the Visit NC interactive map for the latest on town statuses.

Welcoming You to Western North Carolina’s Open Mountain Towns

Recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene are in full swing across Western North Carolina’s mountain and foothill regions. Most highways are open, and many of your favorite mountain destinations are already welcoming visitors for a vibrant fall season. We’re here to make sure your trip goes smoothly, so here’s what you need to know about current conditions, routes, and ways to support local communities.

Road Conditions and Safe Travel Routes

The majority of Western NC highways are ready for traffic, with some spots still undergoing repair. Notable closures on I-40 and I-26 at the Tennessee state line may impact trips between North Carolina and Tennessee, so be sure to check DriveNC.gov for current road conditions and recommended alternate routes. For a detailed look at travel-ready towns and updates by county, go to this interactive map can help guide your journey. Simply zoom in and click on any community to access their latest information and find local businesses ready to welcome you.

Created using Visit NC’s interactive map of Western North Carolina’s communities welcoming visitors.

Plan Your Visit: Open Mountain Towns Ready for Visitors

Here’s a quick look at the beautiful mountain towns in Western North Carolina that are open and eager to welcome you:

High Country

• Alleghany County (Sparta): Sparta is welcoming visitors.
• Ashe County (West Jefferson): West Jefferson is welcoming visitors.
• Avery County (Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain): Banner Elk is not currently accepting visitors. Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain are welcoming visitors.
• Mitchell County (Spruce Pine, Bakersville): Spruce Pine is not accepting visitors. Bakersville is welcoming visitors.
• Watauga County (Boone, Blowing Rock): Boone and Blowing Rock are welcoming visitors.
• Wilkes County (Wilkesboro): Wilkesboro is welcoming visitors.
• Yancey County (Burnsville): Burnsville is not currently accepting visitors.

Asheville & Foothills

• Buncombe County (Asheville, Weaverville, Swannanoa, Black Mountain): Swannanoa and Black Mountain are not accepting visitors. For Asheville, call ahead and check websites to see if they are accepting visitors. Weaverville is accepting visitors.
• Henderson County (Hendersonville): Hendersonville is welcoming visitors.
• Madison County (Hot Springs, Marshall): Hot Springs and Marshall are not accepting visitors.
• McDowell County (Marion, Old Fort): Old Fort is not accepting visitors. Marion is welcoming visitors.
• Rutherford County (Lake Lure, Rutherfordton): Chimney Rock and Lake Lure are not accepting visitors. Rutherfordton is welcoming visitors.
• Transylvania County (Brevard): Brevard is welcoming visitors.

Smoky Mountains & Cherokee

• Cherokee County (Murphy): Murphy is welcoming visitors.
• Cherokee/Qualla Boundary: Cherokee/Qualla Boundary is welcoming visitors.
• Clay County (Hayesville): Hayesville is welcoming visitors.
• Graham County (Robbinsville): Robbinsville is welcoming visitors.
• Haywood County (Waynesville, Maggie Valley): Both Waynesville and Maggie Valley are welcoming visitors.
• Jackson County (Sylva, Cashiers): Both Sylva and Cashiers are welcoming visitors.
• Macon County (Franklin, Highlands): Both Franklin and Highlands are welcoming visitors.
• Swain County (Bryson City): Bryson City is welcoming visitors.

Real-Time Resources for a Smooth Trip

For the latest updates on area conditions or to confirm local openings, contact the Visit North Carolina Call Center at 1-800-VISITNC (800-847-4862).

Ways to Help Western North Carolina’s Recovery

Traveling to support the community? Here are a few ways to make a difference:

• Samaritan’s Purse: Responding to Hurricane Helene with multiple disaster relief bases in North Carolina. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/disaster/hurricane-helene/
• NC Disaster Relief Fund: Direct aid to affected areas in Western NC.
• NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund: Helps local hospitality employees.
• WNC Strong: Disaster relief and rebuild WNC https://wncstrong.com/home843581

Your visit and support mean the world to these communities as they rebuild. Enjoy the beauty of Western North Carolina, and don’t hesitate to reach out to local businesses and visitor centers for the latest travel updates. We’re glad to have you here for a wonderful fall in the Smoky Mountains!