Virginia Creeper Trail Closure Remains in Effect as Recovery Moves Forward

DAMASCUS, Va., August 15, 2025 — Officials from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are reminding the public that the Virginia Creeper Trail between Damascus and Whitetop Mountain remains closed due to significant safety concerns and ongoing recovery work following Hurricane Helene.

The closed 17-mile segment sustained widespread damage, including the loss or compromise of 30 trestles. Crews are working throughout the corridor with heavy equipment in use or being staged for future use. As work progresses, more machinery and personnel will move into the area, which will further increase the risk to anyone who enters the closed zone.

The closure is in place for the protection of the public. Not only is unlawful entry into the work zone dangerous, but it also causes delays. Construction must stop when people are seen in the area, which slows progress and could impact the timeline for reopening the trail.

Ample recreational opportunities are available nearby. The section of the Virginia Creeper Trail from Damascus to Abingdon remains open, and the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area offers a variety of scenic hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. A recreation map and trail updates are available on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests website at www.fs.usda.gov/r08/gwj.

Forest Service officials are nearing the selection of a contractor for the redesign and rebuild of the trail. The final contract is expected to be awarded in the coming months. 

To expedite the trail’s recovery and reopening, Forest Service officials have used smaller contracts to perform preliminary work. Earlier this summer, contractors removed 30,000 cubic yards of debris from the trail between Damascus and Konnarock. Another contract will soon be awarded for additional debris removal and replacement of two smaller trestles.

For your safety and to support restoration efforts, please respect the trail closure order and avoid the section from Damascus to Whitetop Mountain until it is officially reopened. For details and updates, visit the “Alerts” page on the forest website or contact the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area at 276-783-5196.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology—and rooted in communities—the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the United States, of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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