Fog curls from the peaks surrounding Old Fort, North Carolina, as riders lean into the hills on motorized Onewheel boards with steady determination. This is FloatLife Fest, an event drawing over 400 enthusiasts to this Blue Ridge foothill town, now swelling its population by 50% in a hopeful sign a year after Hurricane Helene reshaped the landscape. What was once an emerging outdoor tourism hub is picking up the pieces, the physical and economic scars still visible, but the spirit far from broken.

Old Fort was accelerating a reinvention. Following massive layoffs by Ethan Allen in 2019, the town shifted focus from manufacturing to its rugged, natural assets. Red clay trails gave way to mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding ambitions. The 42-mile G5 Trail Collective, launched with Forest Service support, had already opened over half its scope, energizing local startups and outdoor businesses.

Then came Helene in September 2024. Heavy rain swelled the Catawba River, that shy mountain watercourse, merging violently with Mill Creek. Downtown flooded, shops submerged under feet of muddy water. Chad Schoenauer, owner of the Old Fort Bike Shop, returned after two days to a painful scene: heart pine floors ruined under inches of sediment, thousands of dollars in uninsured damage. Adjacent, the Foothills Watershed bike park saw its newly built features and 48 mature trees swept away, crippling future plans.

Recovery has been laborious. Many of Old Fort’s businesses reopened by late 2024, but the slump in visitors lingers, fueled by the Blue Ridge Parkway closure that shutters 35 miles near McDowell County until late 2026. Tourist spending dropped, foot traffic at visitor centers halved during summer 2025.

Still, resilience is visible. Trail crews have cleared and restored roughly 30 miles of paths, even as massive landslides claim others. Riders, hikers, and festival crowds reclaim the slopes and streets, blending caution with excitement. Repair-focused bike shop visits have become the norm, as locals and visitors make do with gear rather than purchase anew.

The flood reshaped not just the town’s terrain but its approach to outdoor business. Facilities moved installations away from floodplains, and flood insurance, once considered prohibitively costly, now factors into every recovery plan.

During FloatLife Fest, with music pulsing and vendors lining the streets, the message is clear: Old Fort is not just surviving but resetting. For adventurers planning trips, it’s vital to check trail conditions, expect limited Parkway access, and embrace a community rebuilding against nature’s fierce will.

Prepare for a visit steeped in resilience—where every pedal stroke or hike echoes a town’s fight to reclaim its place among the southern Appalachians’ outdoor meccas. Old Fort’s trails may still bear the battle scars of Helene, but their promise and beauty are alive, eager for exploration and respect.