Following Hurricane Helene, these western North Carolina towns are open and eager for tourists

In a typical fall, western North Carolina rolls out a red, yellow and purple carpet of leaves, welcoming visitors to experience autumn along the high crest of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. This is not a typical fall.

At the end of September, Hurricane Helene dropped a deluge of rain in North Carolina's mountains. The ensuing floods devastated many communities, washed out miles of roadway and dozens of bridges and left the region reeling. The fall season — and $2.1 billion in visitor spending providing the livelihoods of thousands of North Carolinians — seemed lost. Locals focused on recovery and rebuilding. Aid workers, not tourists, descended en masse.

In late October, with fall color peppering the mountainsides, two of the region's major draws — the city of Asheville and most of the Blue Ridge Parkway — are closed to visitors and in heavy recovery mode. On Oct. 23, the first section of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina reopened after Hurricane Helene. According to a press release from the National Park Service, the parkway is now open from milepost 285.5 at Bamboo Gap to milepost 305 near Beacon Heights. The Biltmore Estate, one of Asheville's most popular destinations, reopens on Nov. 2, in time for its annual Christmas at Biltmore celebration; other parts of Asheville and the Parkway face a longer road to welcoming visitors.

However, other towns in western North Carolina are open to visitors and are actively seeking fall foliage tourists to boost their economies. "The far southern and western counties, especially those in and near the Smoky Mountains, were largely unaffected by the storm," says Scott Peacock, director of tourism and marketing communications for Visit NC. "Fall color is emerging in those areas, so visitors can still enjoy the beauty of the season." To assist with travel planning, Visit NC launched NC Southern Mountains Travel, an index of counties and communities welcoming visitors, and maps showing regions to avoid and spots where fall color is popping.

Here are a few of our favorite western North Carolina mountain towns open to visitors right now, plus tips for visiting responsibly.

Highlands

The tiny mountain town of Highlands is charming to the core. Located just six miles north of the Georgia border, it's well-positioned for leaf peeping, waterfall chasing and other outdoor exploration. Stay at Trailborn Highlands, a chic 63-room hotel that opened in September and highlights local experiences through guided hikes and other activities.

The annual Highlands Food & Wine festival (Nov. 7-10) will donate $125 from each ticket to its Shot at Redemption Sunday brunch to local recovery efforts. If you go before the festival, make a reservation at Lakeside Restaurant for a fine dining experience or enjoy casual wood-fired pizzas at Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar.

Sylva and Dillsboro

Just a mile apart, these near-twin towns about an hour west of Asheville are awash in fall color for the next few weeks. Go hiking at Sylva's Pinnacle Park, home to the state's first certified forest therapy trail, or visit the WNC Pottery Festival on Nov. 2.

Book a stay at Hotel Sylva or a charming mountain cabin nearby, and reserve tables at Dalaya Thai Cuisine and the Appalachian-meets-Italian restaurant Ilda. In Dillsboro, stay at the Best Western Plus River Escape Inn, stop by Dogwood Crafters to support the local arts and crafts community and try the barbecue at Haywood Smokehouse.

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Cherokee

Cherokee, the ancestral home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway (the majority of the North Carolina section will reopen next spring/summer).

Connect with the region's history and culture at the Museum of the Cherokee People. The Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual showcases contemporary Cherokee artists working in traditional forms and methods. Get your fall foliage fix at the riverside park, or head high into the Smoky Mountains for a beautiful drive and a visit to Kuwohi, formerly Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the park. Stay at the Rivers Edge Motel and try the country-style buffet at Granny's Kitchen, or grab a burger and dine al fresco at BJ's Diner.

Boone and Blowing Rock

Boone, home to Appalachian State University, and its neighboring town of Blowing Rock sit at the northern end of the storm-impacted region. Wright Tilley, executive director of the Watauga County and Boone Tourism Development Authority, says that even though this area continues to feel some effects of the storm, "Visitors can still expect the warm, welcoming spirit our community is known for. We ask travelers to be mindful of their impact and support local."

In Boone, stay downtown at The Horton Hotel or the nearby Rhode's Motor Lodge and dine on burgers and jalapeno cheddar hush puppies at The Cardinal. In Blowing Rock, book a room at The Embers or stay at the Gideon Ridge Inn, known for its in-house restaurant, which serves local Appalachian produce with spectacular mountain views.

The section of the Blue Ridge Parkway that reopened on Oct. 23 runs approximately 20 miles from just east of Boone in Bamboo Gap to west of Blowing Rock near Beacon Heights and includes one of the Parkway's most iconic views at the Linn Cove Viaduct.

However, the National Park Service says: "Visitors should be aware that trail assessments have not been completed and caution should be exercised when hiking. Visitors may encounter hazards on trails such as landslides, tree debris, and washed-out sections or bridges."

How to visit responsibly

It's safe to responsibly and respectfully visit the mountains of North Carolina this fall, but your trip may be a little different. Check the status of roads along your route with DriveNC, showing closures and construction projects statewide.

For those flying into the region, Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is operating on a normal schedule, though rental car inventory may be low (double check and confirm your rental); the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) is just a little over an hour's drive south of Asheville and may have a larger rental fleet available.

Use the Fall Color Report at VisitSmokies.org to scout for your trip (and ask locals for a favorite spot once you arrive!). Consult Visit NC's NC Southern Mountains Travel website for updated info on places welcoming visitors.

But that's only part of visiting responsibly. Nick Breedlove, tourism development authority director in Jackson County (home to Sylva and Dillsboro), says, "Visit thoughtfully. Support local restaurants, boutiques and guides. Be mindful of not traveling through or stopping in [storm] affected areas, as recovery efforts are still underway."

"A simple yet powerful way to make an impact is to engage with locals," Peacock echoes. "Ask them how you can contribute to their recovery efforts, whether through donations to local relief organizations or even volunteering for cleanup activities."