Blue Ridge Parkway Section Closed as Visitors Attempt to Interact with Bears

A section of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, North Carolina, has been closed due to visitors feeding and attempting to hold a young bear, posing a danger to both visitors and the bear. The closure affects an eight-mile stretch during peak leaf-peeping season. The National Park Service emphasized the importance of not approaching bears and properly storing food, providing safety tips for encounters. The closed section includes the Lane Pinnacle Overlook, while the Craggy Gardens recreational area can still be accessed from the north. The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most-visited site of the National Park Service.