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Ferry service is open Wednesdays through Sundays hourly in May; 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.

Most facilities at Jacob Fork access have reopened. High Shoals Falls Loop, including the waterfall viewing area, is closed. Clear Creek access is closed for construction.

The bridge over Crabtree Creek at William B. Umstead State Park has been removed and will need to be replaced. Hikers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrians should not utilize Ebenezer Church Road bridge due to motor vehicle traffic.

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.

Beaverdam, and Rolling View access areas remain open; all bathrooms are closed in those areas due to construction but portable toilets are available. Rolling View campgrounds and community building are closed. Shinleaf and BW Wells campgrounds are closed. Closed bathrooms and facilities will be reopened once construction is completed in that area.

Save the dates! This is the meeting schedule for the Parks and Recreation Authority in 2026.

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.

Save the dates! This is the meeting schedule for the Parks and Recreation Authority in 2025.

State Parks Director Brian Strong provides additional information on post-Helene rescue and recovery efforts and the status of western state parks.

The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation is providing an opportunity for public comment on a collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Save the dates! This is the meeting schedule for the Parks and Recreation Authority in 2024.