Press Releases

New State Law Provides Free State Parks Annual Passes for Veterans with Disabilities

Carolina Beach State Park, Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Hammocks Beach State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, Jones Lake State Park, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Kerr Lake State Recreation Area, Lake James State Park, Lake Norman State Park, Merchants Millpond State Park, Morrow Mountain State Park, William B Umstead State Park, Marketing and Communications, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, And Access, Operations
Veterans with service-related disabilities are now eligible to apply to receive a free Annual Pass to North Carolina State Parks.

North Carolina State Parks to Offer 'Kayaking 101' Classes with American Canoe Association, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Carolina Beach State Park, Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Hammocks Beach State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, Jockeys Ridge State Park, Jones Lake State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake Norman State Park, Merchants Millpond State Park, Morrow Mountain State Park, Pilot Mountain State Park, Raleigh Office, Marketing and Communications, Interpretation and Education
Carolina Beach, Hammocks Beach, Hanging Rock, Jockey's Ridge, Jones Lake, Lake James, Lake Norman, Morrow Mountain, and Pilot Mountain state parks; Falls Lake State Recreation Area; and Salmon Creek State Natural Area are hosting the paddling instruction events for National Safe Boating Week 2024.

Two NC State Parks to Host 'Poetry in the Park' Events in April for National Poetry Month

Eno River State Park, Lake Norman State Park, Raleigh Office, Marketing and Communications, Interpretation and Education
Lake Norman State Park will host an event on Saturday, April 20, and Eno River State Park on Saturday, April 27.

State Parks System Grew in Visitation, Size in 2023

Raleigh Office, Marketing and Communications, Land Protection and Acquisition, Operations
The North Carolina state parks system welcomed more than 20.1 million visitors in 2023 and ended the year with a total of 262,074 acres.

Bean Shoals Access at Pilot Mountain State Park to Close for Construction

Pilot Mountain State Park, Piedmont Region, Engineering and Construction, Natural Resources, Operations
The access at Bean Shoals in Pilot Mountain State Park will be improved by a construction project that includes three new bridges and a stream restoration.

Matt Windsor Takes the Helm at Goose Creek State Park

Goose Creek State Park, Operations, Coastal Plain Region
Matt Windsor has been named as the new superintendent at Goose Creek State Park in Beaufort County.

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.