The section between Damascus and Abingdon is fully open now!
Release Date: July 16, 2026
Contact Information: Alex Demas 202-940-8263 alexander.demas@usda.gov
(Roanoke, VA, July 16, 2026) — The Forest Service announced today that the full Virginia Creeper Trail will reopen on March 31, 2027, giving the repaired trail time to settle over the winter and ensuring a safe, smooth start to the spring recreation season.
“This trail is part of the heartbeat of our community,” said Ed Wright, district ranger for the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. “Ensuring the trail is safe and ready for the community is central to our work. When you see how much the town depends on the trail, knowing that it’s up to us to get it repaired and reopened responsibly, it’s an incredible responsibility.”
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a backbone of the local outdoor economy, bringing thousands of riders, families and visitors to Damascus, Abingdon and communities throughout Southwest Virginia each year. Today’s announcement gives residents, outfitters and nearby businesses a clear timeline so they can plan ahead for next year’s tourism season.
A major rebuild for a beloved trail
Hurricane Helene destroyed 17 miles of the trail between Damascus and Whitetop Mountain in September 2024, damaging 30 of the trail’s 31 historic trestles. In response, the Forest Service awarded a $240 million contract to Kiewit Corporation to completely rebuild the washed‑out stretch, protect the trail from future storms, and restore every damaged trestle. Construction began in December 2025.
Winter conditions play an important role in preparing a newly rebuilt trail. Allowing the corridor to “settle” over the winter ensures the surface is stable, drainage systems are working, and the trail can withstand heavy spring use and changing weather. This extra time helps reduce long‑term maintenance costs and ensures a safer experience for cyclists, runners and families.
What stays open
The Damascus‑to‑Abingdon section remains fully open, and visitors are encouraged to continue enjoying this popular stretch of the trail.
For project updates, visit the Virginia Creeper Trail rebuild website at https://www.creepertrailrebuild.com/, or call the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area at (276) 783-5196.
About the Trail: The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 34.3-mile rail-to-recreation trail stretching across southwestern Virginia between the towns of Abingdon, Damascus and Whitetop Station. It is a popular destination for hiking, cycling and horseback riding, as well as other recreation activities.
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.