Mount Mitchell State Park » Current Conditions
Backcountry Camping and Hiking Safety
Foraging bears have been active and sometimes aggressive at the Commissary Ridge area. Bear-resistant food canisters or storage sacks are highly advised, otherwise food MUST be hung correctly at least 150 feet away from tent. Food bags should hang 5- feet below the branch, 5-feet from the tree trunk, and be at least 10-feet off the ground. Bears can and will climb trees and can easily reach food bags suspended at heights under 10 feet.
Failing to behave properly places you and your fellow visitors at risk for property damage and severe personal injury.
Black bears have been active in and around the park, inflicting damage to vehicles and camping equipment. All of these incidents have resulted from the improper storage of food, toiletries, and trash.
NEVER feed bears. They can lose their fear of people and may have to be destroyed.
NEVER leave food unattended, even if in coolers. Secure ONLY in bear-proof container or car trunk with windows completely rolled up.
Campground Safety
You MUST secure all food, garbage, and any items that might smell like food to a bear (toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, cosmetics, pet food, cooking and cleaning supplies, stove fuel, etc.) in the bear-proof storage container available at each campground site.
Severe storms above 6,000 feet are unpredictable and can be life-threatening. Fog and winds can impede search-and-rescue crew and helicopter access. Hike and camp in the back country at your own risk.
NEVER rely on GPS, cell-phone, or rescue beacon devices to prevent/survive emergency situations.
ALWAYS be prepared for the worst weather. Closure of the Blue Ridge Parkway occurs frequently when snow & ice accumulate. Be prepared to stay extra days or pack up and leave upon request by a park ranger at any time.
Updated: 2012-01-06 12:41:36
Mount Mitchell is OPEN... / Blue Ridge Parkway closures...
... details ± 02/03/2012 at 0800 hrs Mount Mitchell is open. Current conditions: 35 degrees, mostly sunny skies; expect some ice on the trails. The Blue Ridge Parkway is open to the north and south of Mount Mitchell.
Park gates are open from 8 am to 6 pm seven days a week; weather permitting. The park office is open Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm. Our campsites are available on a first-come/first-serve basis; weather permitting. No reservations will be taken from November through April. The water has been turned off at the campground; port-a-john available- winter rates in effect.
There are numerous closures along the Blue Ridge Parkway due to ice on the roadway. Contact the Blue Ridge Parkway automated road closure information line at(828) 298-0398 or visit www.nps.gov/blri/ .
The following construction related closures are in effect on the Blue Ridge Parkway:
South of Cumberland Knob (MP 217.8) to NC Route 1460 (MP 220.4), NC Route 1433 (MP 226.3) to U.S. Highway 21 (MP 229.7), and Stone Mountain Overlook (MP 232.5) to Air Bellows Gap (MP 236.9). This closure is expected to last until summer 2012. If travelling north on the Parkway, a detour is available by exiting the Parkway at NC Route 18, driving through Sparta, and continuing on NC Route 18 back to the Parkway. The detour can be taken in the opposite direction if travelling south on the Parkway.
MP 455 - MP 469 closed due to tunnel reconstruction, will remain closed until Spring 2012.
Updated: 2012-02-03 08:13:45
When appropriate, alerts will appear at the top of this area to notify of park system and park conditions which may affect your visit. When such
alerts appear, please click the '...details ±' toggle following the alert summary to open or close the details for a particular alert. If more information is needed, please
contact the park office. The alerts for all parks may be viewed by clicking the 'Visit' tab, above. Once on the park system home page, click the 'Alerts' link in the left panel.
Some parks have additional links or other material related to current park conditions. When available, that information will appear below.
View from the Webcam
Road and trail conditions and closures
Weather station data from near the top of the mountain
View from Webcam positioned near the top of the mountain
Eastward facing view from Mount Mitchell State Park.
Weather station data from near the top of the mountain
(updated every half hour)
Special thanks to the Carolina Mountain Club,
whose sponsorship made this online weather station possible. This weather station was purchased by the
Carolina Mountain Club in memory of Mr. Alan Barton, a longtime club member. Thanks also to the
Mountain Area Information Network, which provided the internet
connection.
The National Park Service, National Forests in North Carolina, Carolina Mountain Club and Mountain Area
Information Network websites are not part of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. The division is
not responsible for their content.
Road and Trail information
Websites on this page are managed by entities other than the N.C. Division of Parks and
Recreation. The division does not control the content or accuracy of external websites linked
from the site. By virtue of its position as a public agency, the division also does not endorse
other agencies and organizations, their products, services and views.
Road closures and weather conditions on the Blue Ridge Parkway:
Call (828) 298-0398
or check online at http://www.nps.gov/blri/
Trail closures and information:
Contact the Appalachian Ranger District at (828) 682-6146
or check online at http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/