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.
State Parks News
This page lists all state parks news releases and blogs. Use the dropdown to filter by park or section.
Planning, Trails Program
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.
Eno River State Park
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.
Hammocks Beach State Park
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
South Mountains State Park in Burke County is partially reopening its main access at Jacob Fork on April 10.
Raven Rock State Park
Jacob Brown is the new park superintendent at Raven Rock State Park in Harnett County.
South Mountains State Park
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.
Grandfather Mountain State Park, Mountain Region, Operations
Joseph Hiatt has been promoted to park superintendent of Yellow Mountain State Natural Area in Avery and Mitchell counties.
Pilot Mountain State Park, Mountain Region
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.
Eno River State Park, Piedmont Region, Land Protection and Acquisition
A long-awaited acquisition of over 200 acres of land that includes the Historic Occoneechee Speedway to add to Eno River State Park has been finalized.
Bobs Creek State Natural Area, Carvers Creek State Park, Dismal Swamp State Park, Elk Knob State Park, Stone Mountain State Park, William B Umstead State Park, Coastal Plain Region, Piedmont Region, Mountain Region, Engineering and Construction, Land Protection and Acquisition, Planning, Trails Program
The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced that the Parks and Recreation Authority has awarded over $7.6 million from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for state parks projects for fiscal year 2024-25.