Blue Ridge Parkway Guide 2025

If you're dreaming of mountain vistas, winding roads, and fresh mountain air, you're not alone. The Blue Ridge Parkway remains one of the most beloved scenic drives in America. And after the impact of Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene, many are wondering: What’s open for 2025?

While much of the Parkway in our area has reopened, some sections further west and north are still under repair. To help you plan the perfect trip, we’ve created our 2025 Blue Ridge Parkway Guide—a simple, visual breakdown of what’s open (✅ Green) and what’s closed (⛔️ Red).

The official Parkway closures page is helpful but can be a bit tricky to navigate. So we’ve organized this guide by sections and included key access points and must-see stops.

✅ Southern End: Bryson City, Cherokee, Maggie Valley, Waynesville

Scenic Mountain Drive Blue Ridge Parkway

Status: Mostly Open
Notable Closure: Devil’s Courthouse section

This gorgeous stretch from Cherokee to Hwy 215 is fully open and includes some of the most iconic overlooks in the region. Whether you’re leaf-peeping in the fall or chasing sunrise views in the summer, this section delivers.

Photographer Favorites:

  • 📍 Woolyback Overlook
  • 📍 Waterrock Knob

Blue Ridge Parkway Waterrock Knob

  • 📍 Cowee Mountain Overlook

Blue Ridge Parkway

  • 📍 Caney Fork Overlook

Best Access Points:

  • Hwy 441 (Cherokee, near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the closest entrance to Bryson City)

  • Hwy 19 (Maggie Valley)

  • Hwy 74/23 (Waynesville)

  • Hwy 215 (between Rosman and Canton)

⚠️ Note: The Devil’s Courthouse section remains closed as of spring 2025.

✅ Pisgah Forest: Asheville, Canton, Brevard

Status: Partially Open
Notable Closure: Between Hwy 151 and the NC Arboretum

This stretch includes several fan-favorite spots perfect for hiking, photography, or just soaking in the views. The good news? Most of it is still accessible.

Top Stops Along This Route:

  • 📍 Black Balsam

Black Balsam Knob

  • 📍 Graveyard Fields (Lower Falls shown here)

graveyard fields second lower falls

  • 📍 Frying Pan Tower
  • 📍 Pisgah Inn
  • 📍 Mt. Pisgah

Access Points:

  • Hwy 276 (from Canton or Brevard)

  • Hwy 151 (Pisgah Highway from Candler)

  • The Parkway near the NC Arboretum (for access north toward Asheville)

⚠️ Note: The section between Hwy 151 and the Arboretum is closed. If you're coming from Asheville, access the Parkway near the Arboretum and head north.

Planning Tips:

  • Check weather conditions before your trip—spring and early summer can still bring fog and rain at higher elevations.

  • Bring layers! Temperatures on the Parkway can be 10–15 degrees cooler than the valleys below.

  • Download offline maps or bring a paper map—cell service can be spotty along the Parkway.

 

Check out these maps from this Facebook post by WNC photo tours: