Alerts

Carolina Beach State Park
Marina Closed Due to Renovations / Change in Camping Registration Process
Marina Closed:The marina complex (boat basin, fuel dock, boat ramps, and store) will be closed beginning December 1, 2008 to begin a dredging and renovation project. Construction is expected to be completed in August 2010.

Change in Camping Registration Process: During the time the marina is closed, campers must register for campsites at the visitor center office.


update on: 2010-02-16 03:02:53

Crowders Mountain State Park
Trail Construction in Progress
During the next few weeks trail construction will be taking place on areas of the Turnback & Pinnacle Trail. The trails WILL REMAIN OPEN until the work is complete. Park Rangers ask that you avoid entering the areas of new trail construction until they are OFFICIALLY open. This is for your safety! Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

In addition, Rangers ask that hikers AND rock climbers please use marked trails to access the summit of Crowders Mountain. There is considerable erosion taking place on "shortcuts" up the mountain which are costly to repair and labor intensive. Please help us maintain these vegetative recovery areas by staying on the marked trails. Thank you!

update on: 2010-03-10 05:03:43

Elk Knob State Park
Park is open
Elk Knob is open for park visitors. If planning to hike the park's trail, you may still encounter 3 to 4 foot drifts and icy trail surfaces. Be sure to dress in layers, wear good hiking boots, and carry extra food and water.
update on: 2010-03-20 10:03:27

Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Area closures / Reservations
Sandling Beach will re-open April 1, 2010.

Rolling View Loop A is closed and will re-open on 11/1/2010

BW Wells Group Sites 12, 13 and 14 are closed due to severe erosion.



update on: 2010-03-16 08:03:45

Gorges State Park
Park Conditions
Gorges State Park is open. Updated 3-18-2010
update on: 2010-03-18 11:03:59

Grandfather Mountain State Park
Trails Are Opened; Caution is Advised
Grandfather Mountain State Park backcountry trails are open however, there are still many trees down and there is a significant amount of snow and ice on the trails. Special footwear for snow and ice is strongly advised. Please use caution when hiking the trails keeping in mind that there may be overhead hazards from hanging tree limbs as well as hazards on the trail. Please dress appropriately for the weather and complete a permit which is available at the trailhead of the Profile Trail and on the Tanawha Trail just past Boone Fork.
During snow and ice events, four wheel drive will be needed to access the Profile Trail parking area off Hwy 105. Due to deep snow and ice please allow at least 6 hours to hike Profile trail to McCrae Peak, wear layers, carry extra food, water, and a light. Allow extra time (2 hours minimum)to hike Daniel Boone Scout Trail to Calloway Peak.
update on: 2010-03-20 09:03:29

Hammocks Beach State Park
Attention: No Facilities on Bear Island Until May, 2010. Camping and all areas but around Bogue and Bear Inlets will be closed during the month of April, 2010. Ferry Service to resume in May, 2010.
Facilities on Bear Island have been winterized and are closed until May 1, 2010. The bathhouse, restrooms, and all potable water have been shut off. Bear Island will be open and camping permitted until April 1, 2010 but campers must bring all necessities with them including drinking water. From April 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010 the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation has arranged for the path from the ferry dock to the bathhouse to be paved. This project will necessitate the closing of Bear Island with the exception of the areas around Bogue Inlet and Bear Inlet. Camping will not be permitted during the month of April, 2010. Ferry service is scheduled to resume for the 2010 season in May. Please contact the park office with questions.
update on: 2010-01-21 08:01:23

Haw River State Park
Haw River State Park Master Plan Draft is available for public comment
Please select the following link to review the Haw River Master Plan Draft.
update on: 2010-02-17 11:02:30

Hanging Rock State Park
Rock Climbing Area Closures
The north end of Moore's Wall is closed to rock climbing due to Peregrine Falcon nesting and is expected to reopen June 1. Hiking trail use is not affected.
update on: 2010-03-18 10:03:58

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Camping
B,C,E and F loops are open for camping at Poplar Point Campground.

Crosswinds and Parker’s Creek Campgrounds are closed for the season. Crosswinds is scheduled to re-open on April 19, 2010 and Parker’s Creek on March 29, 2010.

White Oak Day Use Area is closed for the season, but White Oak Shelter is available by reservation only.
update on: 2010-03-19 03:03:24

Lake Waccamaw State Park
Bridge Replacement
Visitors may encounter short, traffic delays along Bella Coola Rd., approximately 1 mile from the park entrance due to bridge replacement. Park facilities are open and uneffected by this project.
update on: 2010-02-15 12:02:54

Medoc Mountain State Park
Canoe rentals are not available. Season is from May until September
Horse trails are open at this time.
update on: 2010-03-18 04:03:37

Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
Winter Road Status
The park road and trails are open.
update on: 2010-03-10 03:03:41

Mount Mitchell State Park
Winter Access and Black Bear Awareness
NOTE: The Blue Ridge Parkway approach to Mount Mitchell from the Asheville area (south of the park) is closed for the winter. Access from NC 80 to the north can be closed on short notice due to weather. If in doubt, call the park office for current conditions before your visit. Daily-updated road closure information can also be obtained on the Blue Ridge Parkway information line at (828)298-0398 24 hrs. a day.

Severe winter storms above 6,000 feet are unpredictable and can be life-threatening. Fog and winds can impede search-and-rescue crew and helicopter access. Hike and camp in the back country at your own risk.

NEVER rely on GPS, cell-phone, or rescue beacon devices to prevent/survive emergency situations.

ALWAYS be prepared for the worst weather. Closure of the Blue Ridge Parkway occurs frequently when snow & ice accumulate. Be prepared to stay extra days or pack up and leave upon request by a park ranger at any time.


Black bears have been active in and around the park, inflicting damage to vehicles and camping equipment. All of these incidents have resulted from the improper storage of food, toiletries, and trash.

NEVER feed bears. They can lose their fear of people and may have to be destroyed.

NEVER leave food unattended, even if in coolers. Secure ONLY in bear-proof container or car trunk with windows completely rolled up.


Campground Safety
You MUST secure all food, garbage, and any items that might smell like food to a bear (toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, cosmetics, pet food, cooking and cleaning supplies, stove fuel, etc.) in the bear-proof storage container available at each campground site.

Backcountry Camping and Hiking Safety
Foraging bears have been active and sometimes aggressive at the Commissary Ridge area. Bear-resistant food canisters or storage sacks are highly advised, otherwise food MUST be hung correctly at least 150 feet away from tent. Food bags should hang 5- feet below the branch, 5-feet from the tree trunk, and be at least 10-feet off the ground. Bears can and will climb trees and can easily reach food bags suspended at heights under 10 feet.

Failing to behave properly places you and your fellow visitors at risk for property damage and severe personal injury.
update on: 2010-03-16 09:03:42

Morrow Mountain State Park
AREA CLOSINGS affect boathouse, trails, and museum.
Extensive flooding has damaged the boathouse which is likely to remain closed through 2010.

Public access to parts of Falls Mountain Trail is blocked due to flood damage.

Morrow Mountain State Park museum is closed until early summer 2010 for renovations.
update on: 2010-03-03 11:03:46

New River State Park
Park Winter Hours
The bathhouses at the Wagoner Road Access primitive campground and the US 221 Access primitive campground will be closed November 2, 2009 and will re-open April 1, 2009. The pit toilet at each location will be available for use.King's Creek Access will close on Sunday November 1, 2009 and will reopen April 1, 2010
update on: 2010-03-17 08:03:00

Pettigrew State Park
Boat Ramp Open
The boat ramp is open to all boat traffic.
update on: 2010-02-14 08:02:30

Pilot Mountain State Park
UPDATED STORM DAMAGE CLOSURE INFORMATION
UPDATE AS OF 3-18-2010

Mountain Section:

ON TUESDAY MARCH 23RD THE SUMMIT ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8AM-4PM. Utility contractors will be removing portions of the road and installing underground electric power line. All hikers and climbers must access the summit via the grindstone trail during this time. No hiking on the road will be allowed.

All park trails and park river section areas are open.

All Bridle trails will be closed after rain until the trail surface dries out. Horseback riding during wet conditions damages the trails and causes severe erosion. If conditions are wet, wait to ride another day to preserve bridle trails for your continued use.
update on: 2010-03-17 08:03:03

Raven Rock State Park
Bridle Trail Conditions - Too Wet for Riding; Family Wilderness closed for winter; Construction of Visitors Center in Progress
Bridle Trail Conditions:
Due to the rain Thursday and Friday night, the bridle trails are currently too wet for riding and should remain too wet through the weekend of March 15. For the safety of riders and horses, as well as the prevention of trail damage, please do not ride the trails until drying has occurred. Remember that horses are allowed only on designated bridle trails. Riding on the power line easement, closed sections of the old West Loop, or areas other than designated bridle trails is unlawful. Hikers are allowed to walk on bridle trails, but should yield the trail when riders approach.

The new parking area is now complete. The parking area has been expanded and includes a new entrance and new exit for easier parking and turning. As a reminder - if you bring dogs they must be on a leash and under control at all times.

The Family Wilderness Camp is closed for winter and will reopen March 15, 2010.

New Visitor Center Construction:
Construction on the new Visitor's Center and new picnic shelter for Raven Rock State Park is in progress. Opening is anticipated for April 2010.


update on: 2010-03-13 01:03:57

South Mountains State Park
PARK VISITORS
The restrooms at the Jacob Fork parking area will be closed for remodeling until further notice. Restrooms with running water are available at the South Mountains State Park Visitor Center.
update on: 2010-03-13 12:03:59

Stone Mountain State Park
Bridle Trail & Group Camping
Bridle Trail.....Warning! Area contains hazards associated with rocks, steep slopes, and cliffs. Injury or death possible. Stay on marked trail.

Group Camping...The group camping area is closed until further notice(may reopen 2011)due to construction.
update on: 2010-03-19 04:03:28