Current Conditions and Updates
NOTICE: Due to a statewide burning ban, wood fires are NOT PERMITTED in state parks. Gas and propane cookstoves are allowed as are charcoal fires within grills or desingated fire rings. All stoves and charcoal fires must be attended by an adult. If you have questions, call the park office before your visit.
Also, due to low water levels , some swimming and boating facilities have been affected. Details are below.
Following is a list of parks, recreation areas and state natural areas along with relevant news of temporary closures or changes in operations.
Links to related media releases from the state parks system's Public Information Office are also included where applicable.
If your plans include a visit to a park where normal operations have been disrupted and you have further questions, please contact the park office.
Carolina Beach State Park (910) 458-8206 carolina.beach@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park (919) 778-6234 cliffs.neuse@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Crowders Mountain State Park (704) 853-5375 crowders.mountain@ncmail.net-- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Eno River State Park (919) 383-1686 eno.river@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area (919) 676-1027 falls.lake@ncmail.net -- Low water levels have prompted the closing of all state park boat ramps except for one lane at the Hwy 50 access. Sandling Beach will be closed for the winter Oct. 8, 2007 - April 1, 2008. Hollypoint and Shinleaf will close Nov. 1, 2007 - March 15, 2008.
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area (910) 458-5798 fort.fisher@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Fort Macon State Park (252) 726-3775 fort.macon@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Goose Creek State Park (252) 923-2191 goose.creek@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Gorges State Park (828) 966-9099 gorges@ncmail.net -- Construction has begun on new visitor facilities at the Grassy Ridge Access. Several trails and facilities will be affected during the year-long construction period. The Bearwallow Falls, Bearwallow Valley, Buckberry Ridge and Ray Fisher trails are currently closed. The Ray Fisher camping area is currently closed.
Hammocks Beach State Park (910) 326-4881 hammocks.beach@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Hanging Rock State Park (336) 593-8480 hanging.rock@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule
Jockey's Ridge State Park (252) 441-7132 jockeys.ridge@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Jones Lake State Park (910) 588-4550 jones.lake@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area (919) 362-0586 jordan.lake@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Note campground changes for Winter 2007-08:
Poplar Point will close Loops B, E, G and H on Nov. 26. Loop C will close Sept. 25. Loops F and J are closed.
Parkers Creek Loops 1, 2 and 4 will close Nov. 26. Loop 3 will close Sept. 25.
Parkers Creek group sites will close Nov. 26.
New Hope Overlook will remain open for backpack/hike-in camping.
Vista Point will remain open for group camping.
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area (252) 438-7791 kerr.lake@ncmail.net -- Low water levels have prompted the closing of state park boat ramps at Bullocksville, JC Cooper Campground, Nutbush North, Hibernia and Shelter #2 and Shelter #3 at Henderson Point. Other facilities may be closed on short notice due to drought conditions.
Seasonal Opening and Closing Dates:
- Satterwhite Point - OPEN ALL YEAR
- Nutbush - OPEN ALL YEAR
- Bullocksville opened March 26, 2007; closes October 1, 2007
- County Line opened March 26, 2007; closes October 1, 2007
- Henderson Point opened March 26, 2007; closes October 1, 2007
- Hibernia opened March 26, 2007; closes October 29, 2007
- Kimball Point opened March 26, 2007; closes October 29, 2007
Please contact the park office for further information.
Lake James State Park (828) 652-5047 lake.james@ncmail.net -- Due to extremely low water levels, the swimming area is closed.
Lake Norman State Park (704) 528-6350 lake.norman@ncmail.net -- Due to extremely low water levels, the swimming area is closed.
Lake Waccamaw State Park (910) 646-4748 lake.waccamaw@ncmail.net -- The park's Waccamaw River Access will be periodically closed due to construction until Fall, 2007. If you need further information call the park before your visit.
Lumber River State Park (910) 628-4564 lumber.river@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Medoc Mountain State Park (252) 586-6588 medoc.mountain@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Merchants Millpond State Park (252) 357-1191 merchants.millpond@ncmail.net -- Due to a bridge replacement project on Millpond Road, visitors traveling to the canoe rental area should follow an alternate route. To view these directions, please click here.
Morrow Mountain State Park (704) 982-4402 morrow.mountain@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area (336) 246-9653 mount.jefferson@ncmail.net -- During the winter months, access areas may be closed due to snow & ice on the park roadways. If your plans include a visit to this park and you have questions, please contact the park office.
Mount Mitchell State Park (828) 675-4611 mount.mitchell@ncmail.net -- For road closures and weather conditions on the Blue Ridge Parkway call (828) 298-0398 or check online. For trail closures and information, please contact the Appalachian Ranger District at (828) 682-6146 or check online.
The Blue Ridge Parkway will be closed to all traffic from just south of Mount Mitchell State Park to Craggy Gardens beginning Nov. 6, 2007 to allow for tunnel repairs. Access to the state park will only be available from the north. The construction period is expected to last three months.
Portions of the summit area and the tower trail will be closed due to construction until further notice. There will also be trail detours on Old Mitchell Trail, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the Balsam Nature Trail.
New River State Park (336) 982-2587 new.river@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area (919) 383-1686 eno.river@ncmail.net -- The fishing ponds are currently closed to allow for a dam repair project.
Pettigrew State Park (252) 797-4475 pettigrew@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Pilot Mountain State Park (336) 325-2355 pilot.mountain@ncmail.net -- Operating hours for the Yadkin River Section and Corridor Parking Lots are different from the Mountain Section. The following is the operating schedule for the Yadkin River Section (North & South Side) and the Corridor Parking Lots of Pilot Mountain State Park.
April, May, September: 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (7 DAYS A WEEK)
March, October: 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (7 DAYS A WEEK)
November 1–14: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (7 DAYS A WEEK)
November 15 – Feb. 29: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (MONDAY-THURSDAY)
November 15 – Feb. 29: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (FRIDAY - SUNDAY)
June – August: 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (7 DAYS A WEEK)
Raven Rock State Park (910) 893-4888 info.ravenrock@ncmail.net -- The Campbell Creek Trail, Lanier Falls Trail, and Family Wilderness Camp remain closed due to trail damage and the washout of several footbridges resulting from flash flooding in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Alberto. These facilities will remain closed until construction is completed on a permanent pedestrian bridge over Campbell Creek.
Singletary Lake State Park (910) 669-2928 singletary.lake@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
South Mountains State Park (828) 433-4772 south.mountains@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Stone Mountain State Park (336) 957-8185 stone.mountain@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
Weymouth Woods State Natural Area (910) 692-2167 weymouth.woods@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
William B. Umstead State Park (919) 571-4170 william.umstead@ncmail.net -- All facilities are operating on a normal schedule.
This page was updated on 10-17-07
