CANTON, N.C. — The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway has been fully shut down following the severe impacts of Hurricane Helene, which has caused catastrophic damage throughout the region. Among the affected businesses is the Pisgah Inn, a popular destination for travelers seeking breathtaking views and an escape into nature. Located at milepost 408, the Pisgah Inn has been forced to close for the first time in October, a critical month for tourism, leaving its future uncertain. (pisgah inn blue ridge parkway closure)
Economic Impact on Pisgah Inn
The owner of the Pisgah Inn, Bruce O’Connell, recently spoke out about the significant economic challenges his business now faces. In a normal October, the inn would be bustling with visitors, especially leaf peepers who come to witness the vibrant fall foliage. However, the closure of the parkway has rendered access impossible, and the impact on the local hospitality industry is immense.
“We’ve never lost an entire month of October,” O’Connell said. “No power is a big problem; no roads is the biggest problem.” The Pisgah Inn has suffered minimal physical damage from the storm, but the closure of the parkway has led O’Connell to make the difficult decision to shut down operations early. He estimates the loss of income from the closure to be substantial, affecting not just his business but also the entire local economy.
Blue Ridge Parkway’s Devastation
The National Park Service (NPS) has described the damage to the Blue Ridge Parkway as extensive, with approximately three dozen rock and mudslides reported. Nine of these slides have severely damaged roadbeds, making travel along the scenic route impossible. “You’ve got mountain on one side and valley on the other; you simply can’t drive around where the damage occurred,” said Mike Litterst, a spokesperson for the NPS.
In addition to the Pisgah Inn, other businesses and local employees are feeling the economic pinch. Many in the hospitality sector, including restaurants and other tourist services, are left without work during what is usually one of the busiest times of the year.
Virginia Section Reopens, but North Carolina Remains Closed
While the North Carolina stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed, there is some good news for travelers. Nearly 200 miles of the parkway in Virginia, from milepost 0 to milepost 198, reopened on October 11. This includes popular attractions like the Humpback Rocks, Peaks of Otter, and the historic Mabry Mill. Tracy Swartout, superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, praised the hard work of crews in reopening this section but acknowledged that much work remains in North Carolina.
“While we celebrate this achievement, we also recognize that significant and, in some areas, long-term work remains in North Carolina,” Swartout said.
The Virginia section’s reopening is a positive sign for the tourism industry, but officials are urging caution as trail assessments are still ongoing. Visitors may also encounter fewer services in certain areas as resources have been diverted to aid recovery efforts in North Carolina.
Hope for the Future
Despite the setbacks, O’Connell is hopeful for the future. He and his staff are currently winterizing the Pisgah Inn and using this downtime to focus on renovations and projects that will prepare the inn for the next tourist season. He remains optimistic that the Blue Ridge Parkway will be fully restored and open by April 1, 2025.
“My employees are suffering, all the hospitality and restaurant employees in this area, I can’t imagine how they’re feeling,” O’Connell added. His hope is that the parkway, a vital economic driver for the region, will recover in time to welcome visitors again next spring.
The closure of the Pisgah Inn and the Blue Ridge Parkway highlights the fragility of the tourism-dependent economy in Western North Carolina, but with recovery efforts underway, locals are cautiously optimistic about the future.
