Ferry service, campsites, and all facilities at Bear Island are closed. The mainland areas 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.
South Mountains State Park
South Mountains State Park in Burke County is partially reopening its main access at Jacob Fork on April 10.
Raven Rock State Park
Jacob Brown is the new park superintendent at Raven Rock State Park in Harnett County.
South Mountains State Park
South Mountains State Park in Burke County is partially reopening March 17. The park has been closed since last fall due to widespread damage after Hurricane Helene.
The North Carolina Trails Program has released the fiscal year 2025-26 grant cycle for the federal Recreational Trails Program.
Grandfather Mountain State Park, Mountain Region, Operations
Joseph Hiatt has been promoted to park superintendent of Yellow Mountain State Natural Area in Avery and Mitchell counties.
Pilot Mountain State Park, Mountain Region
Pilot Mountain State Park’s Bean Shoals Access, located along the north side of the Yadkin River, has reopened following a construction project in 2024.
Eno River State Park, Piedmont Region, Land Protection and Acquisition
A long-awaited acquisition of over 200 acres of land that includes the Historic Occoneechee Speedway to add to Eno River State Park has been finalized.
Bobs Creek State Natural Area, Carvers Creek State Park, Dismal Swamp State Park, Elk Knob State Park, Stone Mountain State Park, William B Umstead State Park, Coastal Plain Region, Piedmont Region, Mountain Region, Engineering and Construction, Land Protection and Acquisition, Planning, Trails Program
The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced that the Parks and Recreation Authority has awarded over $7.6 million from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for state parks projects for fiscal year 2024-25.
Mayo River State Park
Staff from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation reintroduced the Roanoke logperch to Mayo River State Park in early November, kickstarting a joint effort that helps conserve the endangered darter and other aquatic species in the Dan River Basin
Chimney Rock State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park, Elk Knob State Park, Gorges State Park, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake Norman State Park, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Mount Mitchell State Park, Rendezvous Mountain, South Mountains State Park, Stone Mountain State Park, Mountain Region
Elk Knob, Lake James, New River, and Stone Mountain state parks will reopen at least partially on Nov. 15; three parks will remain closed until further notice and face long-term closures: Chimney Rock, Mount Mitchell, and South Mountains.
Recreation Grants and Outreach
Save the dates! This is the meeting schedule for the Parks and Recreation Authority in 2025.
Chimney Rock State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park, Elk Knob State Park, Gorges State Park, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake Norman State Park, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Mount Mitchell State Park, New River State Park, Rendezvous Mountain, South Mountains State Park, Stone Mountain State Park
Crowders Mountain, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain and Lake Norman state parks, as well as Rendezvous Mountain, will reopen at least partially on Nov. 1.
Bobs Creek State Natural Area, Chimney Rock State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park, Elk Knob State Park, Gorges State Park, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake Norman State Park, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Mount Mitchell State Park, New River State Park, Pisgah View State Park, Rendezvous Mountain, South Mountains State Park, Stone Mountain State Park, Mountain Region, Marketing and Communications, Office of the Director, Operations
State Parks Director Brian Strong provides additional information on post-Helene rescue and recovery efforts and the status of western state parks.
Chimney Rock State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park, Elk Knob State Park, Gorges State Park, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake Norman State Park, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Mount Mitchell State Park, New River State Park, Rendezvous Mountain, South Mountains State Park, Stone Mountain State Park
All North Carolina state parks west of Interstate 77 are closed through at least Oct. 31.