State Parks News

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and N.C. State Parks announced today that Chimney Rock State Park and the Chimney Rock attraction will reopen to visitors on Friday, June 27, exactly nine months after Hurricane Helene devastated the surrounding communities.

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Division of Parks and Recreation is seeking input on the Equine State Trail Master Plan. The master plan will be a 20-year plan that identifies a 10-mile-wide corridor for the trail.

Ferry service operating daily, campsites and all facilities at Bear Island are open. The mainland areas are open. The boat ramp is open, and the Simmons Mainland Campground is open for reservations. There is no public docking on Bear Island and there is no beach access on the mainland.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Division of Water Resources, in cooperation with Eno River State Park, the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, City of Durham, Durham County, Town of Hillsborough and Orange County, will be treating the Eno River for hydrilla, an invasive aquatic plant, May 29 through Aug. 31.

New River State Park is continuing recovery efforts post-Hurricane Helene. Some accesses and campsites are open while others remain closed.

The seasonal ferry service to Bear Island from the mainland access of Hammocks Beach State Park will begin May 14, 2025.

Lake James State Park has reopened most facilities, but there are some ongoing closures due to Hurricane Helene damage. Park staff are conducting assessments at the Paddy's Creek swim beach area to determine a reopening timeline.

Effective May 1, 2025, reservation fees at campgrounds and vehicle entrance fees at reservoirs will increase across the state parks system. There are no changes to picnic shelter reservation fees, equipment rentals, and swim passes.

South Mountains State Park has reopened both accesses after being closed since Hurricane Helene. Some facilities remain closed until further notice. High Shoals Falls Loop, including the waterfall viewing area, is closed.

South Mountains State Park in Burke County is partially reopening its main access at Jacob Fork on April 10.

Jacob Brown is the new park superintendent at Raven Rock State Park in Harnett County.

South Mountains State Park in Burke County is partially reopening March 17. The park has been closed since last fall due to widespread damage after Hurricane Helene.

The North Carolina Trails Program has released the fiscal year 2025-26 grant cycle for the federal Recreational Trails Program.

Joseph Hiatt has been promoted to park superintendent of Yellow Mountain State Natural Area in Avery and Mitchell counties.

Pilot Mountain State Park’s Bean Shoals Access, located along the north side of the Yadkin River, has reopened following a construction project in 2024.