Parts of western North Carolina remain off-limits to tourists as the recovery from Helene continues. But other mountain communities are eager to welcome fall visitors to help keep their small businesses afloat as they try to get back to normal.

Beech Mountain’s lodging and restaurants are largely open, welcoming visitors back to the area. And preparations for ski season are underway.

As portions of western North Carolina open back up for tourists, others will need months if not years to welcome people once again. The swelling water of the North Toe River took so much from so many in Mitchell County.

Towns across western North Carolina are slowly rebuilding weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the region. Part of that process includes welcoming visitors. Why it matters: Tourism plays a massive role in the economy of many of these mountain communities,

Following Hurricane Helene, several western North Carolina towns are currently seeking visitors this fall foliage season. Here are tips for visiting responsibly.

FOX Carolina has a list of towns and other areas in western North Carolina that are now open to visitors as well as those that have not opened following the devastation left by Helene.