Hurricane Helene Information - Virginia Creeper Trail
On September 28, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane. The intensity and size of this storm created an immense swath of damage across SW Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Virginia Creeper Trail Recovery Overview
Sections of the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail on the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area were impacted by Hurricane Helene, causing some closures. The Forest Service is exploring opportunities for restoration and recovery. We are currently planning and undertaking publicly informed analysis for a restoration decision. See project planning page here.
What We Know
Trail Conditions
CLOSED: The closed area around the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail now includes Trestle 16 and Trestle 17 near the Town of Damascus as construction activity is underway in this area. Currently, the section of the Virginia Creeper Trail from Trestle 16 in the Town of Damascus to the North Carolina state line just past Whitetop Station is temporarily closed due to significant safety concerns and ongoing recovery work following Hurricane Helene. Additional information can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/gwj/alerts/virginia-creeper-trail-reconstruction-closures.
OPEN: The Virginia Creeper Trail is open from Abingdon to Trestle 16 in Damascus.
- Variable levels of damage, largely catastrophic
- Landslides and slope failures
- Portions of trail are gone
- Access is limited and dangerous
Trestle Conditions
- Thirty-one trestles are either damaged or destroyed and are part of our recovery process
- With access to Highway 58 restored, we are working to clear debris, repair access roads and make way for trail and trestle rebuilds.
Closure Updates (Jan. 07, 2026)
Virginia Creeper Tral Map showing damage and closures from Hurricane Helene.
What Are We Doing?
Recovery Timeline
Recovery Process Flowchart for Virginia Creeper Trail
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area Opportunities
The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area offers unique recreation opportunities in a 5,000 ft elevation with large rock formations, mountain balds, and spruce-fir forests. Within Mount Rogers, there are four wilderness areas, 400 miles of trail, eleven campgrounds, three rental cabins, and beautiful scenic roads, such as the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway and road to Whitetop Mountain. Mt. Rogers is also home to 60 miles of Appalachian Trail.
Mount Roger National Recreation Area map of recreational opportunities.
Recovery Projects
- We continue to remove hurricane debris where it impacts forest roads and trails.
- We are reducing wildfire risk and supporting timber-based economies and consumers by selectively removing downed or damaged trees through salvage timber sales.
- Clearing these trees not only reduces flammable fuels from the landscape but also makes room for new trees to grow.
- We continue to repair damaged roads and trails.
News Releases
- Virginia Creeper Trail Closure in Effect as Recovery Moves Forward (11/18/25)
- Virginia Creeper Trail Debris Removal Begins (6/10/25)
- Virginia Creeper Trail Closure Remains in Effect as Recovery Moves Forward (8/15/25)
- Salvage Sales to Support Hurricane Helene Recovery and Economic Resilience (8/21/25)
Visitor Safety
While some areas remain closed to protect visitor safety, many sites have reopened. Recreate responsibly. Do not enter areas that are closed and watch out for potential hazards, including downed trees or dead trees that could fall.
Closures and alerts can be found in the “Alerts” section. Know how to spot a hazardous tree
Report damage to us.
