In July 2025, Tropical Storm Chantal brought heavy rainfall to Alamance, Chatham, and Orange counties. The cyclone flooded the Eno River, cresting at 25.63 feet, breaking the previous record of 23.58 feet set in 1996 by Hurricane Fran.
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Hammocks Beach State Park
Ferry service operates Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October beginning at 9:30am and the last ferry off Bear Island is at 5pm. The last day of ferry service for the season is 10/25/2026. Mainland and Bear Island camping is open with restrooms, potable water, and showers. Reservations can be made within a 6-month booking window. The mainland areas, trails and the boat ramp is open. There is no public docking on Bear Island and there is no beach access on the mainland. Ferry tickets are sold on the day of departure on a first-come, first-served basis. No online or advance reservations are available.
Coastal Plain Region, Piedmont Region, Mountain Region, Natural Resources
As temperatures begin to cool across North Carolina, black bears are entering one of the busiest feeding periods of the year.
Recreation Grants and Outreach
Save the dates! This is the meeting schedule for the Parks and Recreation Authority in 2026.
Hanging Rock State Park, Piedmont Region, Marketing and Communications, Engineering and Construction, Operations, Trails Program
Hanging Rock State Park is making improvements to its campground to provide visitors with updated facilities and more accessible, comfortable campsites.
William B Umstead State Park, Piedmont Region, Marketing and Communications, Engineering and Construction, Operations, Trails Program
Construction on the replacement bridge on the South Turkey Creek Multiuse Trail will commence on June 15, 2026.
Most park facilities at the Jacob Fork Access are open. Clear Creek day-use access remains closed for a previously planned construction project. High Shoals Falls, including the waterfall viewing areas, remain closed.
The Profile parking area, the upper section of the Profile Trail, and the Profile campsite have reopened. The lower section of the Profile Trail remains closed; please do not attempt to access closed areas. We will continue to update this blog post with the latest information.
Eric Martinez of Kernersville spent 2025 visiting every North Carolina state park, using a simple New Year’s resolution to push himself outdoors, log hundreds of trail miles, and explore the state’s incredible range of landscapes. As 2026 begins, his story is a reminder that setting a goal to visit every park is not only achievable, it might be the most rewarding resolution you make all year.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Holly Point is currently closed for construction. All other areas are open as normal. Closed facilities will be reopened once construction is completed in that area.
Mount Mitchell State Park
Mount Mitchell State Park reopened Sept. 15, 2025, for the first time since Hurricane Helene. The reopening coincides with the Blue Ridge Parkway reopening between milepost 382 in Asheville and milepost 355.3, near the entrance to the state park. With this announcement, all North Carolina state parks are now at least partially open.
Morrow Mountain State Park began a major construction project on July 9, 2025, to replace aging water and sewer systems, with work expected to continue through early 2026. Visitors should expect construction noise and temporary disruptions.
New River State Park is continuing recovery efforts post-Hurricane Helene. Some accesses and campsites are open while others remain closed.
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.