Carvers Creek State ParkPark is Closed to the PublicOn October 29, 2012 construction was started on Carvers Creek State Park’s interim development for the Long Valley Farm Access facilities located in Spring Lake, North Carolina off East Manchester Road. These facilities are to include a public contact station with restroom, park office, parking area, and trail access. This construction project also includes the main park access road and gate, trails, trailside interpretative panels, picnic tables, fishing access, and more. The park remains closed to the public. Our goal for opening the park is mid-2013. As construction projects near completion an actual opening date will be announced. The park phone number is (910)893-4888.
update on: 2013-05-10 13:34:19
Chimney Rock State ParkCLOSURE ALERT: Hickory Nut Falls Trail Closed for Repairs 2013The Hickory Nut Falls Trail at the Chimney Rock Access has been closed indefinitely. We apologize for any inconvenience. This trail has been damaged by a rock slide and will require significant repairs before it can be reopened to the public.
update on: 2013-05-21 07:59:16
Cliffs of the Neuse State ParkThe public is invited to come into the Vistors Center to view an artwork collection displayed by Spring Creek Middle School's 8th Grade art classes. The various natural-themed student paintings will be displayed April 28-May 10. The park's swim lake is now closed for the season and will reopen on Memorial Day Saturday, May 25, 2013. Operational hours for the swim lake will run 10:00 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
update on: 2013-04-29 16:19:28
Crowders Mountain State ParkDOT Road Work to Interrupt Access to Park Entrance on Sparrow Springs. Follow Detour signs.Access to Crowders Mountain State Park from the north on Sparrow Springs Road has been interrupted by a DOT repair project.
Visitors approaching Crowders Mountain State Park from I-85 must follow a 6.5 mile detour to the park marked by NCDOT detour signs. That route is described at this Web address:
Mapquest. The detour begins at the intersection of Freedom Mill Road and Sparrow SPrings Road. Google Maps still provides incorrect when using the state park's mailing address.
All visitors should approach the main park entrance with caution since the roadway will be reduced. Visitors are also encouraged to consider as an alternative the Boulders Access Area at 108 VanDyke Road, Kings Mountain, NC, which offers sufficient parking even on busy weekends. For more information, call the park office at 704-853-5375.
update on: 2013-05-21 11:33:39
Dismal Swamp State ParkTrail ClosuresDue to the construction of Water-Control Structures, Corapeake Road, east of Laural Ditch, is closed to all trail users.
Trail users should also be aware of construction vehicles driving along Corapeake Rd.
update on: 2013-02-08 13:07:44
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
update on: 2013-01-16 13:35:16
Gorges State Park
ALL Facilities are Open.
A natural landslide has damaged parts of the trail, which has rendered the impacted area of trail unusable. Therefore, the Auger Hole trail will be closed for all trail use in a section located between the Toxaway River and Bearwallow Creek. Hikers on the Foothills Trail should plan on using the Canebrake Trail for safe passage to the Frozen Creek trail head. The trail will re-open when the repairs have been made and determined to be safe.
update on: 2013-05-18 11:49:01
Grandfather Mountain State ParkHiking to the Bridge? Hike back down or have pre-arranged ride.If you are hiking to the swinging bridge: you must have a pre-arranged ride or hike back down the trail. The attraction staff is not permitted to give rides to hikers and hikers are not permitted to hike down the Attraction road.
Call 818.733.4337 for Attraction gate hours.
BE AWARE THAT RIDGELINE CONDITIONS ARE MORE EXTREME THAN LOWER ELEVATIONS. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS HIKE IF YOU ARE NOT PHYSICALLY PREPARED AND PROPERLY EQUIPPED.
update on: 2013-05-22 08:27:28
Hammocks Beach State ParkFerry Schedule for May is Wednesday through Sunday, Bear Island Bathhouse is Open, Concession Stand Closed Until Memorial Day Weekend.Ferry service for May is Wednesday through Sunday to Bear Island. Please click the link "Ferry Schedule" on the left hand menu for ferry times and complete schedule. The bathhouse on Bear Island is open with potable water, restroom, and shower facilities open to the public. The concession stand is scheduled to open on Saturday, May 25, 2013. PLEASE bring any soft drinks and snacks with you to the island. Contact the park office at hammocks.beach@ncparks.gov or 910.326.4881 with questions.
Note: Representatives from Camp Lejeune are conducting a search for munitions-related items near Bear Inlet and Saunders Creek in the Intracoastal Waterway that began March 4, 2013 with the anticipated completion of the investigation in June 2013. Additional information is available at http://www.lejeune.marines.mil/SDZ.aspx or by contacting Mr. Joe Ramirez at 910.451.7645
update on: 2013-05-01 17:47:27
Jordan Lake State Recreation AreaCampground InformationParker's Creek - Loops 1, 2 and 4N are open. Loops 3 and 4S are scheduled to open on Wednesday, May 15.
Poplar Point - Loops B,C,E and F are open for camping. Loops G, H and J are scheduled to open on Wednesday, May 15.
update on: 2013-05-13 11:22:29
Kerr Lake State Recreation AreaHigh Water At Kerr Lake - Some Campsites ClosedThe Kerr Lake water level is at approximately 305’ msl and slowly falling. Current predictions indicate that it will fall to about 303’ by Friday, May 24th but that could change if the Roanoke River Basin receives rainfall over the next several days. All campgrounds at Kerr Lake SRA have sites that are likely to be impacted between now through Memorial Day weekend.
Park personnel are calling campers who have reservations on sites that may be impacted by the high water.
This ALERT will be updated as conditions change.
Hourly lake level information posted by the US Army Corps of Engineers can be found at http://epec.saw.usace.army.mil/roa05.htm
update on: 2013-05-17 12:54:37
Lake James State ParkSWIM BEACH NOW OPEN AND NEW CAMP HOST OPPORTUNITY The swim beach at Paddy's Creek Area is now open daily from 10am until 6pm. There is a swim fee when lifeguards are on duty. Lifeguards will be on duty starting Saturday, May 25th. Swimming fees are as follows: Adults (age 13 and up) $5; children (ages 3-12) $4; children 2 years and under are free. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent from the concession stand at Paddy's Creek daily from 10am until 5:30pm and the rental fee is $5/first hour and $3 each additional hour. For more informaiton on the swimming area operations please call the park office at 828-584-7728.
The Campground Host site is completed and Lake James State Park is looking for interested folks. The Campground Host is a volunteer position without pay. Electricity, water, sewer and long term site rental are provided in exchange for campground host duties. Contact the park office for more information.
update on: 2013-05-21 16:07:01
Lake Norman State ParkBoat Rental Schedule & Swim FeesCanoe and pedal boat rentals are open from 12 pm until 4:30 pm on weekends only through May 20th. Beginning May 26th, they will operate on a daily basis from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Due to pending construction in the Park Lake area, boat rental operations may be closed at any time. Contact the park office for the most current information.
The swimming area is open daily from 10 am until 6 pm. A swimming fee may be charged beginning May 25th through Labor Day if a sufficient number of lifeguards are employed. Fees are $5 for 13 and older and $4 for ages 3-12.
update on: 2013-05-13 09:18:49
Mayo River State ParkThe park is open The park is open and operating under normal circumstances.
update on: 2013-03-26 16:30:35
Mount Mitchell State ParkMount Mitchell State Park current info...
05/23/2013 updated at 0800 hours Current conditions: 51 degrees with west winds 9-14 mph under mostly cloudy skies. Yesterday's high was 62 degrees; low was 46. There is a 50% chance of rain today.
update on: 2013-05-23 08:06:06
Morrow Mountain State ParkThe BRIDLE TRAILS are CLOSED.
POOL OPENS: Saturday, May 25! Weekends only until June 8
May 25, 26, 27- Memorial Day Weekend- Open from 10 AM til 5:45 PM
June 1 & 2- Open from 10 AM til 5:45 PM
June 8 begins our regular full time season- Pool open from 10 AM til 5:45 PM
every day.CAUTION: All equestrians should be aware that horse traffic will be temporarily routed to the old trail configuration immediately north and south of the Bridal Trail Parking lot. Steep and rocky conditions may exist and the northbound trailhead is immediately adjacent to the parking lot entrance. This temporary re-route will be in place while sections of the new trail are regraded and hardened.
Equestrians - To preserve the park bridle trails for continued use and enjoyment, all trails are closed to horses after any measurable rainfall that may cause hazardous areas or erosion to the trail due to riding activity. Trails will be monitored daily and reopened when conditions are favorable for riding.
Below is a list of other riding opportunities within a two hour drive of Morrow Mountain in the event trails are closed:
Uwharrie Ranger District in Troy, NC telephone: (910) 576-6391
The Walthour-Moss Foundation in Southern Pines, NC - http://www.walthour-moss.org/index.php.
Tanglewood Park, Clemmons, NC - http://www.forsyth.cc/parks/tanglewood/Default.aspx
Saurtown Trails (which includes Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain State Parks) - http://www.sauratowntrails.org/
Sandhills Gamelands telephone: (919) 281-3917
Latta Plantation, Huntersville, NC - http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/ParkandRec/StewardshipServices/NaturePreserves/Pages/Latta.aspx
New Hope Stables, Statesville, NC - http://www.nhstables.com/
H. Cooper Black Jr. Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area, Cheraw SC - http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/hcb/introduction.aspx
For further information contact the park office at 704-982-4402.
Please continue to check this site prior to all visits for horse riding activities. The trail may close for short durations based on many reasons including maintenance and wet weather closures. This website will be updated with current trail status.
update on: 2013-05-21 09:52:56
Pettigrew State ParkBoat Ramp Details
Canoe Artifacts off Exhibit
The campground wash house is open for the season.
Lake Level is 10.92 with about 2.8 feet of water in the ramp area. Most boats will have little difficulties loading/unloading.
Canoe Artifacts have been moved to East Carolina University for restoration and are temporarily off exhibit. Please contact the park office at 252-797-4475 for more information.
update on: 2013-04-22 16:07:57
Pilot Mountain State Park5-23-2013 - THE BRIDLE TRAILS WILL BE CLOSED TODAY DUE TO RAINS. THIS ALERT WILL BE REMOVED WHEN THEY REOPEN. Expect heavy car traffic between midday and late afternoon every weekend. There are only 125 spaces at the top of the mountain for parking. Please carpool. Delays for parking may be up to 30 minutes long. Click ALERT message for other scenic driving options.
Traffic/Parking information: During spring, summer, and in leaf season your wait for a parking space may be 30 minutes long. There are only 125 parking spaces at the top of the mountain. Please carpool. If waits for parking become lengthy, all incoming traffic other than registered campers may be directed to other local attractions and will have to try to enter the park another day.
Hikers familiar with the park and wanting to avoid the crowds may want to use the Surry Line Rd. parking lot on the south side of the mountain or visit the Park's river section areas.
For visitors who want a scenic drive and do not want to wait in line we suggest the following local attractions:
-Horne Creek State Historic Site- ( 8 miles south of the mountain-follow signs from the Pinnacle exit, closed Sundays)
-The town of Pilot Mountain Downtown- (one exit north of the park)
-The Blue Ridge Parkway- (follow Highway 52 north 25 miles)
-Hanging Rock State Park (25 miles east of the park via HWY 52 in Tobaccoville)
PILOT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK WEATHER FORECAST:
http://tinyurl.com/d4qve9pEquestrians - To preserve park bridle trails for your continued use and enjoyment, all trails are closed to horses after rain. Riding on wet trails creates hazardous areas and erodes the trail. Riding trails when wet will cause their closure for maintenance and their closure to bridle use. If it has rained, wait to ride another day.
update on: 2013-05-23 08:50:01
Raven Rock State ParkBridle Trails Status: OPEN;
Bridle Trails List Serve;
The Bridle trails are currently OPEN.
Raven Rock State Park has created a list serve for updates on the East and West Loop Bridle Trails. These updates will only be sent when the trail status changes. If you are interested in receiving emails of bridle trail status changes please call the park office and leave your preferred email address at 910-893-4888 extension 107 or email
raven.rock@ncdenr.govOther facilities in the surrounding areas that accommodate horseback riding:
Moss Foundation in Southern Pines, NC 910.695.7811
The American Tobacco Trail Wake, Chatham and Durham Counties.
www.triangletrails.org/ATT.HTMUwharrie Ranger District in Troy, NC 910.576.6391
Sandhills Gamelands 919.281.3917
Please note that the gamelands are open to hunting on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Little River Trails in Bunnlevel, NC 910.893.4351
Please note that there is a $5 fee per horse, per day.
update on: 2013-03-02 15:03:54
South Mountains State ParkFAMILY CAMPGROUND/DRIVE TO SITES-CLOSED FROM June 10th - DECEMBER 31.The family campground (drive-to sites) will be undergoing construction during this time. We will be adding a bath house and several new campsites. We are going to try and have some sites open on a first come first serve basis on Friday and Saturday nights when possible. We apologize for any inconvenience.
update on: 2013-05-20 10:50:37
Stone Mountain State ParkFamily Campground is FULL for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.All of our sites in the family campground are reserved. You may call 1-877-722-6762 or check our website for possible cancellations. You may also try Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway MP 241, phone 336-372-8877.
update on: 2013-05-23 15:34:03
William B. Umstead State ParkTrail Maintenance in ProgressTrail maintenance is in progress throughout the park. Please use caution while on trails and when approaching trail work areas.
update on: 2013-05-15 16:55:20