Mount Mitchell State Park » Sights and Sounds
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