Press Releases

Historic Occoneechee Speedway Added to Eno River State Park

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.

State Parks Projects Awarded Over $7.6 Million from Parks and Recreation Trust Fund

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.

Wildlife Commission, State Parks Partner to Conserve Endangered Fish in Mayo River

Mayo River State Park
Staff from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation reintroduced the Roanoke logperch to Mayo River State Park in early November, kickstarting a joint effort that helps conserve the endangered darter and other aquatic species in the Dan River Basin

Additional Western N.C. State Parks to Reopen Nov. 15, Three State Parks Face Long-Term Closures

Chimney Rock State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park, Elk Knob State Park, Gorges State Park, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake Norman State Park, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Mount Mitchell State Park, Rendezvous Mountain, South Mountains State Park, Stone Mountain State Park, Mountain Region
Elk Knob, Lake James, New River, and Stone Mountain state parks will reopen at least partially on Nov. 15; three parks will remain closed until further notice and face long-term closures: Chimney Rock, Mount Mitchell, and South Mountains.

Five Western N.C. State Parks to Reopen Nov. 1, Eight Parks to Remain Closed

Chimney Rock State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park, Elk Knob State Park, Gorges State Park, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake Norman State Park, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Mount Mitchell State Park, New River State Park, Rendezvous Mountain, South Mountains State Park, Stone Mountain State Park
Crowders Mountain, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain and Lake Norman state parks, as well as Rendezvous Mountain, will reopen at least partially on Nov. 1.

State Parks Closures Through October, All Programming Canceled Across the State

Chimney Rock State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park, Elk Knob State Park, Gorges State Park, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake Norman State Park, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Mount Mitchell State Park, New River State Park, Rendezvous Mountain, South Mountains State Park, Stone Mountain State Park
All North Carolina state parks west of Interstate 77 are closed through at least Oct. 31.

State Parks Closures Due to Hurricane Helene, Including Monarch Festival Cancellation

Gorges State Park, Mount Mitchell State Park, Mountain Region
Due to expected impacts of Hurricane Helene, Gorges State Park and Mount Mitchell State Park will be closed Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26-27. The Mountain Monarch Festival at Gorges, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, has been cancelled.

New State Law Provides Free State Parks Annual Passes for Veterans with Disabilities

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, And Access
Veterans with service-related disabilities are now eligible to apply to receive a free Annual Pass to N.C. State Parks.

New State Law Provides Free State Parks Annual Passes for Veterans with Disabilities

Carolina Beach State Park, Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Hammocks Beach State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, Jones Lake State Park, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Kerr Lake State Recreation Area, Lake James State Park, Lake Norman State Park, Merchants Millpond State Park, Morrow Mountain State Park, William B Umstead State Park, Marketing and Communications, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, And Access, Operations
Veterans with service-related disabilities are now eligible to apply to receive a free Annual Pass to North Carolina State Parks.

Gorges State Park to Host Third Annual Mountain Monarch Festival Sept. 28

Gorges State Park
Gorges State Park in Transylvania County will host its third annual Mountain Monarch Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park’s visitor center. The festival celebrates the monarch butterfly during its migration and bring attention to the species’ declining numbers.