Several North Carolina state parks reopening after Helene
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Crowders Mountain late October 2023. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Multiple state parks across western North Carolina are reopening, at least partially, on Nov. 1. State parks west of I-77 have been closed for weeks due to Hurricane Helene.
Why it matters: State parks are a major draw to western North Carolina. They provide miles of hiking trails for visitors to explore, especially during the fall as people travel to witness leaves change color.
State of play: Crowders Mountain, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain and Lake Norman state parks, plus Rendezvous Mountain will reopen on Nov. 1, the Division of Parks and Recreation announced Wednesday.
What to expect: Keep in mind, some state parks may only be partially open and others remain closed due to hazardous trees and branches, unsteady bridges and washed-out trails. Here's what to expect at parks reopening Friday:
Crowders Mountain State Park
Trails and day-use from 8am-6pm will reopen. Camping, however, remains closed through November.
- Look for the Charlotte skyline on a clear day.
Distance: 45 minutes from Charlotte; 3 hours 18 minutes from Raleigh
Gorges State Park
Grassy Ridge access at 976 Grassy Ridge Road, Sapphire, N.C. will reopen, including the visitor center, trails to Rainbow and Upper Bearwallow Falls, plus RV, trailer, tent camping and cabins.
- The backcountry area, including Frozen Creek access, Auger Hole and Canebrake trails, plus backcountry campsites, will remain closed.
Distance: 3 hours from Charlotte; 5 hours from Raleigh
Grandfather Mountain State Park
Most trails and campsites here will reopen. Profile trail, Profile Connector trail and Profile campsite, however, will remain closed
Distance: 2 hours 15 minutes from Charlotte; 3 hours 40 minutes from Raleigh
Lake Norman State Park
Day-use, tent, trailer, RV and campsites will reopen.
- Cabins are closed to new reservations, but existing reservations will be honored.
- Some mountain bike trail sections may be closed.
Distance: 50 minutes from Charlotte; 2.5 hours from Raleigh
Rendezvous Mountain
All areas of Rendezvous Mountain (1956 Rendezvous Mountain Road, Purlear, N.C.) will reopen.
Distance: 1 hour 50 minutes from Charlotte; 2 hours 48 minutes from Raleigh
Parks that remain closed:
- Chimney Rock State Park
- Elk Knob State Park
- Lake James State Park
- Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
- Mount Mitchell State Park
- New River State Park
- South Mountains State Park
- Stone Mountain State Park
Zoom in: Chimney Rock, Mount Mitchell and South Mountains are expected to be closed longer than others. Campsite reservations at state parks that are closed or expect to be closed at the time of the reservation have been refunded, per the Division of Parks and Recreation.
What's next: Some parks may partially reopen in November, according to State Parks Director Brian Strong.
What they're saying: "We know our visitors have been missing our closed parks, and we hope these reopenings will help our neighbors, local towns, and communities," Strong said in a statement.