Following a temporary closure due to Hurricane Helene, outdoor enthusiasts in Western N.C. can relax as five state parks—Crowders Mountain, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain, Lake Norman, and Rendezvous Mountain—partially reopen on Friday. This is a welcome change after a month of restricted access. The Division of Parks and Recreation has provided details on which areas will be open to visitors. However, eight parks will remain closed as recovery efforts continue, according to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The path to full operational status for the parks will vary. At Crowders Mountain, all trails and day-use areas will reopen, but camping options will remain closed for the month. Gorges will reintroduce Grassy Ridge Access, including the visitor center, waterfalls, and camping. Most trails and campsites at Grandfather Mountain are back, except for Profile Trail and nearby areas. Lake Norman will again offer day-use and various camping experiences, though some mountain bike sections and cabin reservations will be limited. Rendezvous Mountain will be fully operational, providing a complete outdoor experience for visitors, as reported by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
However, Chimney Rock, Elk Knob, Lake James, Mount Mitchell, New River, South Mountains, Stone Mountain state parks, and Mount Jefferson State Natural Area will remain closed. "We are very excited to be able to reopen these parks, and we hope to open additional facilities in November," State Parks Director Brian Strong noted a gradual revival, but a full reopening is not yet in sight for these locations, as stated by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
As visitation resumes, safety is a priority. Parks officials urge visitors to follow signage and avoid closed areas due to hazardous conditions. Strong stated, "There are areas that will be marked closed due to hazardous trees and branches with a high likelihood of falling as well as unsteady bridges and washed-out trails." The reopening of parks depends on cleanup efforts, with some, like Chimney Rock, Mount Mitchell, and South Mountains, remaining closed for a longer time, as mentioned by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
