Press Releases

Gorges State Park Campground to Temporarily Close

Gorges State Park, Natural Resources, Operations, Mountain Region
The campground at Gorges State Park will be closed through at least November 16 due to black bear activity in the area.

Bryan Wilder Named Superintendent at Elk Knob State Park

Elk Knob State Park, Operations, Mountain Region
Bryan Wilder has been promoted as the superintendent of Elk Knob State Park in Watauga County.

First Lady Kristin Cooper, Audubon Join NC State Parks to Celebrate New Native Plants Policy

Jockeys Ridge State Park, Natural Resources, Coastal Plain Region
Jockey's Ridge State Park is celebrating Native Plants Week 2023 with a visit from First Lady Kristin Cooper, Audubon North Carolina, and Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson.

Avis Promoted to Lead NC State Parks' South District

Carvers Creek State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park, Jones Lake State Park, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Lake Norman State Park, Lake Waccamaw State Park, Lumber River State Park, Morrow Mountain State Park, Raven Rock State Park, Singletary Lake State Park, Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, Operations, Coastal Plain Region, Piedmont Region
M. Scott Avis has been named as the new south district superintendent, overseeing 11 parks in the North Carolina state parks system.

N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation Seeks Public Input on Pisgah View State Park Master Plan

Pisgah View State Park, Planning
The Division is hosting a series of public information meetings to seek public input on the future of North Carolina's newest state park.

N.C. State Parks Division Announces 'Complete the Trails' Program Grants for Land Acquisition Projects

Planning, Recreation Grants and Outreach, Trails Program
The Division awarded more than $3 million in grants for 13 projects for state trails.

Nealson Joins Stanley to Lead Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

Kerr Lake State Recreation Area, Operations, Piedmont Region
Keith Nealson has been named a park superintendent at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area in Vance and Warren counties.

Brian Strong Named Director of North Carolina State Parks

Office of the Director

Brian Strong, a 23-year veteran of the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, has been named director of the division by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Amanda Lasley Named Superintendent at South Mountains State Park

South Mountains State Park, Operations

Amanda Lasley, a veteran park ranger, has been named superintendent of South Mountains State Park in Burke County, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Lasley takes the helm after longtime superintendent Jonathan Griffith retired earlier this year.

Tracy Minton Named Superintendent at New River State Park

Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, New River State Park, Operations

Tracy Minton, the longtime superintendent at Elk Knob State Park, has been named superintendent of New River State Park in neighboring Alleghany and Ashe counties, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.