While the Northern Lights may be visible in Virginia tonight, the Blue Ridge Parkway will not be an option for those wishing to view them. The Parkway remains closed while crews complete damage assessments from Hurricane Helene.
However, the National Park Service announced this afternoon that it will open 198 miles of the Parkway in Virginia on Friday at 8 a.m.
This includes the 198 miles of the scenic byway from Shenandoah National Park south to Virginia Route 685 – Skyview Drive/Turkey Ridge Road (near Fancy Gap), or milepost 0 to 198 in Virginia.
“Due to the hard work of the Blue Ridge Parkway crews, we are able to open nearly 200 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, a vital and scenic route that both embodies the natural beauty and cultural heritage of our region and plays a vital role in the local economy through tourism and community engagement,” said Tracy Swartout, superintendent of the Parkway.
The National Park Service hopes to reopen the remainder of the Parkway in Virginia within the next two weeks when fall foliage reaches its peak season in the state.
Visitors should be aware that trail assessments have not been completed in all areas, and caution should be exercised when hiking. Areas closed due to construction prior to the storm will remain closed.
“While we celebrate this achievement (opening nearly 200 miles in Virginia), we also recognize that significant and, in some areas, long-term work remains in North Carolina,” said Swartout. “We are committed to restoring all sections of the parkway to the highest standards of safety and accessibility for our visitors.”
The entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina remains closed as crews continue emergency stabilization and damage assessments following Hurricane Helene.
Virginia: Blue Ridge Parkway updates
- The Humpback Rocks, James River and Peaks of Otter visitor centers will reopen, as power and water have been restored to all facilities where it existed before the storm.
- The Mabry Mill Cultural Site will be open, and the Eastern National/America’s National Parks sales outlet will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
- Peaks of Otter and Rocky Knob campgrounds will operate on a first-come, first-served basis until October 14, at which time existing reservations will again be honored.
- Otter Creek Campground was closed for the season prior to the storm and will remain closed.
- Peaks of Otter Lodge will continue to operate (it did not close after the storm)
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Crystal Graham
