Ferry service is closed for the 2025 season, Bear Island facilities open. Bathhouse will be closed and winterized after November 16, 2025. The mainland areas and trails are open. The boat ramp is open, and the Simmons Mainland Campground is open for reservations. There is no public docking on Bear Island and there is no beach access on the mainland.
State Parks News
This page lists all state parks news releases and blogs. Use the dropdown to filter by park or section.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Beaverdam remains open, but all bathrooms there are closed due to construction. Portable toilets are available in Beaverdam. Bathrooms will be reopened once construction is completed in that area.
Recreation Grants and Outreach
The Land and Water Conservation Fund, a program under the federal Department of the Interior, has awarded over $26.5 million in matching grants to support outdoor recreation projects across North Carolina.
North Carolina State Parks, part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, announced that Mount Mitchell State Park has reopened as of Sept. 15, 2025, for the first time since Hurricane Helene.
Mount Mitchell State Park
Mount Mitchell State Park reopened Sept. 15, 2025, for the first time since Hurricane Helene. The reopening coincides with the Blue Ridge Parkway reopening between milepost 382 in Asheville and milepost 355.3, near the entrance to the state park. With this announcement, all North Carolina state parks are now at least partially open.
Haw River State Park
Zachary Lunn has been promoted to be the new park superintendent at Haw River State Park in Rockingham and Guilford counties.
Hanging Rock State Park
Maggie Miller has been promoted to a park superintendent at Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County.
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
Kecia Perkinson has been promoted to be a park superintendent at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area in Vance and Warren counties.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Bryan Cox returns to be a park superintendent at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area in Chatham County.
Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has awarded nearly $11 million to trail development and restoration projects in the Piedmont. The General Assembly authorized these funds as part of the Great Trails State Program.
Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has awarded more than $2.6 million to trail development and restoration projects in eastern North Carolina. These funds were authorized by the General Assembly as part of the Great Trails State Program.
Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has awarded more than $11 million authorized by the General Assembly in grants to communities and nonprofits in western North Carolina from Great Trails State Program funding. This announcement comes during Governor and First Lady Stein’s week exploring the unforgettable mountains of western North Carolina, supporting small businesses, and showcasing all that the region has to offer travelers.
Morrow Mountain State Park began a major construction project on July 9, 2025, to replace aging water and sewer systems, with work expected to continue through early 2026. Visitors should expect construction noise and temporary disruptions.
Chimney Rock State Park
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and N.C. State Parks announced today that Chimney Rock State Park and the Chimney Rock attraction will reopen to visitors on Friday, June 27, exactly nine months after Hurricane Helene devastated the surrounding communities.
Planning, Trails Program
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Division of Parks and Recreation is seeking input on the Equine State Trail Master Plan. The master plan will be a 20-year plan that identifies a 10-mile-wide corridor for the trail.