State Parks News

This page lists all state parks news releases and blogs. Use the dropdown to filter by park or section.

Year of the Tree: The Sassafras

Carvers Creek State Park
Carvers Creek State Park is featuring a unique tree for each month's newsletter during the 2022 Year of the Tree! For the October edition, we discuss the sassafras and its role as an early successional in plant communities.

Bear Activity

Mount Mitchell State Park
Commissary Ridge dispersed camping area inside Pisgah National Forest closed; please be bear aware when you are at Mount Mitchell State Park and the surrounding area.

Tyson Phillips Named First Superintendent of Pisgah View State Park

The new state park is estimated to open in 2025.

Eastern Bluebird Nesting Season Ends

Haw River State Park

Eastern Bluebird nesting season officially drew to a close in mid-August with the fledging of our last three bluebird babies.

Year of the Tree: Bald Cypress or Pond Cypress?

Carvers Creek State Park
Carvers Creek State Park is featuring a unique tree for each month's newsletter during the 2022 Year of the Tree! For the September edition, we try to solve the mystery of the Carvers Creek cypress trees.

Governor Cooper Announces $17 Million in Grants for Parks and Recreation Projects Statewide

39 Local Communities to Receive Funding for Park Expansion and Restoration

N.C. State Parks to Launch New Website

Marketing and Communications
The new website will launch on Aug. 30 and include new features for accessibility and mobile-friendliness.

First Mountain Monarch Festival to Be Hosted By Gorges State Park

Gorges State Park
Gorges State Park will host its first annual Mountain Monarch Festival on September 24, 2022.

Year of the Tree: Southern Magnolia

Carvers Creek State Park
Carvers Creek State Park is featuring a unique tree for each month's newsletter during the 2022 Year of the Tree! For the August edition, we discuss the southern magnolia, which is pollinated by beetles.

Haynes Named Superintendent of Bob's Creek State Natural Area in McDowell County

Bobs Creek State Natural Area, Operations
The state natural area was authorized in 2017.

Matheson to Lead Rendezvous Mountain

Rendezvous Mountain
Jeff Matheson is the new superintendent of Rendezvous Mountain, formerly a state educational forest that was originally purchased by the state as the third state park.

Year of the Tree: Black Walnut

Carvers Creek State Park
Carvers Creek State Park is featuring a unique tree for each month's newsletter during the 2022 Year of the Tree! For the July edition, we discuss the black walnut tree that is widespread in North Carolina.

Jason Anthony to Lead Pilot Mountain State Park

Pilot Mountain State Park, Operations

RALEIGH, N.C. — Jason Anthony is the new superintendent of Pilot Mountain State Park, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Anthony succeeds Matt Windsor, who served as park superintendent since 2008 and moved to Hammocks Beach State Park in 2021.

Vonda Martin Named Division of Parks and Recreation Grants and Outreach Manager

Recreation Grants and Outreach
Vonda Martin is the new grants and outreach manager for N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

Shimel To Lead State Parks' East District

Operations

Joe Shimel is the new east district superintendent of North Carolina state parks, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Shimel succeeds Sarah Kendrick, who served as acting superintendent beginning in 2020.