Carteret County
Closure: Bradley Creek Trail (TR351) and a section of Yellow Gap Road ( FS Road 1206)
Bradley Creek Trail (TR351) and a section of Yellow Gap Road ( FS Road 1206) near milepost 6.7 from Highway 276, are temporarily closed to all traffic, including hikers, bicyclists and equestrians.Crews are repairing damage from a landslide that occurred during a previous weather event and was…
Lower portion of Dry Falls, Nantahala Ranger District, will be temporarily closed September 14- 18
The Nantahala Ranger District will temporarily close access to the lower portion of Dry Falls from September 14–18 to conduct necessary maintenance and improvements. During this period, public access to the base of the waterfall will not be available.To ensure visitors can still enjoy the site,…
Old Fort Picnic Area -- closed Aug. 28-30, 2026
The Old Fort Picnic Area will be closed starting today through the weekend for paving. The area will reopen for parking Monday, August 31. The parking lot, which was damaged during Hurricane Helene, is being repaved as part of a larger project to restore and improve the picnic area. Due to the…
Commissary Ridge Dispersed Camping Area Temporarily Closed
Due to an increase in bear activity in the dispersed camping area at Commissary Ridge on the Pisgah National Forest near Mt. Mitchell State Park the camping area will be temporarily closed. This measure is to help provide visitor safety and minimize bear encounters.
Croatan Ranger District Office Relocation
Beginning Friday, August 7, 2026, the current Croatan Ranger District Office building will permanently close as North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) begins its US 70 widening project. Until construction of the new Croatan Ranger District is complete, visitor services will operate…
Hurricane Florence Closures- Croatan National Forest
Due to Hurricane Florence the following areas will remain closed on the Croatan National Forest: The Neusiok Trail from Pinecliff Recreation Area Trailhead to Pinecliff Equestrian Trail Detour Fishers Landing Recreation Area Pinecliff Recreation Area Siddie Fields Neuse River Recreation Sites…
Max Patch Restrictions- Appalachian Ranger District
Restrictions on camping, fires, animals, aircraft and bicycles in Max Patch area.
Appalachian Ranger District Office Hours
The Appalachian Ranger District Office will be operating under intermittent in-person business hours due to facility repairs. It is recommended to call the office before visiting. Email and the phone lines are monitored during building closure.
FS Road 225B Closed to All Traffic
The Pisgah Ranger District on Pisgah National Forest is conducting stream improvements for fish passage due to Helene storm damage on Forest Service Road #225B. Improvements include removing culverts to create a natural bottom ford. For public safety the road is temporarily closed to all traffic,…
John Rock Overlook Parking Area Construction
The Pisgah Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest has partnered with The Pisgah Conservancy and the Blue Ridge Parkway on a project to create the Upper Falls Connector Trail— a new 0.9-mile trail originating at the John Rock Overlook parking area to access Graveyard Fields. Graveyard…
Helene Closure Order Shope Creek- Appalachian Ranger District
For the protection of public health and following tropical storm Helene, the following acts are prohibited in the Shope Creek area on the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest:Going into or being in the described closure area. (Prohibition under 36 CFR § 261.53(e))Use by…
Connely Creek Road (NFSR 86) Closure
Connely Creek Road (NFSR 86) on the Nantahala Ranger District will be closed until October 2026 for road improvements. The closure will extend from the intersection of Cowee Bald Road (NFSR 70) to the intersection of Barkers Creek (NFSR 7062). Access to Cowee Bald will only be available from Macon…
Permit Free Firewood Collection- Pisgah National Forest
Hurricane Helene left a significant amount of woody debris across much of Western North Carolina, leaving higher-than-usual levels of fuels on the ground. This creates a heightened risk of wildfire. The public can help mitigate this risk by collecting downed wood to warm their homes during the…
Helene Closures
Please visit our Helene Information page for a full list of closures.
Nantahala and Pisgah Cave and Mine Closure Order
It is prohibited to enter a cave in the Pisgah or Nantahala National Forest.
Helene Closure Order Buzzard Roost I-40 Reconstruction Project- Appalachian Ranger District
For the protection of public health and safety regarding Interstate 40 reconstruction and associated traffic control near Buzzard Roost, the following acts are prohibited in the Buzzard Roost area:Entry into the closure area. (Prohibited under 36 CFR § 261.53(e))Use of roads within the…
Helene Closure Order Roan Mountain Fire Restriction- Appalachian Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited on and within the Roan Mountain area as shown on the attached map, which is part of this Order:Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. (Prohibition per 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a))Fire restrictions apply to all National Forest…
Helene Closure Order Ray Mine- Appalachian Ranger District
For the protection of public health and safety following Tropical Storm Helene, the following acts are prohibited in the Ray Mine Area on the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest:Going into or being in the described closure area. Prohibited under…
Pisgah National Forest Driving Safety Alert
Please use caution as you travel in and around the Forest. We have a lot of heavy equipment and repair crews in the area working on roads damaged during Hurricane Helene. Up to 2,000 tons of gravel are being placed EVERY DAY on our Forest Service roads through the summer and fall. That's around 60…
Paint Rock Closure Order- Appalachian Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands in the Paint Rock area:Entering or being upon the specified closure area — This includes all forms of presence, whether traveling by foot, vehicle, or any other means.This Order is issued to protect the cultural and natural…
Pisgah Ranger District Dispersed Camping Regulations
The following act is prohibited within 1000 feet of a road open to public vehicle travel on the Pisgah Ranger District in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Transylvania Counties in North Carolina.Camping is prohibited in any area not designated as a campsite depicted on the attached map. This…
Pisgah Ranger District Camping Restrictions Closure Order- Pisgah Ranger District
Camping is not permitted within 1,000 feet of a road open to public vehicle traffic On the Pisgah Ranger District. Camping is only allowed in areas depicted as a campsite on this map. Other areas on the map would be within 1,000 feet of a roadway on the Pisgah Ranger District, and therefore not…
Elk River Recreation Area Prohibitions- Appalachian Ranger District
The following acts or omission is prohibited within the Elk Falls Recreation Area as depicted on attached map in Avery County, North Carolina on the Appalachian Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest.Camping, unless specifically posted as being authorized. 36 CFR 261.58(¢) Possessing a beverage…
Curtis Creek and Wiseman's View Alcohol Restrictions - Grandfather Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited in the following areas on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest:Possessing a beverage which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by state law. 36 CFR 261.58(BB). This order is for the following areas of the Grandfather Ranger…
Pisgah Ranger District Alcohol Restrictions- Pisgah Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited for the protection of public health or safety on the Pisgah Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest: Possessing a beverage which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by state law. 36 CFR 261.58 (bb) Closure Areas Sycamore Flats Day Use Horsepasture…
Finger Lake Area Prohibitions- Nantahala Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited in the Finger Lake Area on the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest:Possessing a beverage, which is defined as an alcholic beverage by State law. 36 CFR 261.58(bb) Being in the area after sundown or before sunrise. 36 CFR 261.58(1)
Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River Corridor Regulations- Nantahala Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited within the Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River Corridor. This order applies to that portion of the Chattooga: National Wild and Scenic River Corridor within the Nantahala National Forest. Entering or being on the waters within the boundaries of the Chattooga…
Alcoholic Beverage Prohibition- Uwharrie National Forest
Alcohol is prohibited in the following areas on Uwharrie National Forest:Arrow Head CampgroundBadin Lake CampgroundBadin Lake Group CampCanebrake Horse CampBadin Horse CampOverflow Horse CampUwharrie Hunt CampFlintlock Valley Shooting RangeKings Mountain Point Day Use SiteRobbins Branch Wilderness…
Alcoholic Beverage Restriction on Fishers Landing- Croatan National Forest
Alcohol is prohibited within the Fishers Landing Recreation Area, specifically 1,500 feet from the shoreline of the Neuse River
Firearms Range- Nantahala National Forest
The following restrictions apply to shooting ranges on the National Forests in North Carolina listed below: Atoah Shooting Range Moss Knob Shooting Range Dirty John Shooting Range Panther Top Shooting Range Possessing a beverage that is defined as an alcoholic beverage by state law within…
ATVs and Motorcycles
The following orders apply to the Pisgah, Nantahala, Uwharrie and Croatan National Forests in North Carolina. This order applies to all motorcycles being driven off of designated roads and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). For the purpose of this order, ATVs are defined as having a seat to be straddled…
Balsam Lake Day Use Area Prohibitions- Nantahala Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited in the Balsam Lake Day Use Area, Jackson County, Nantahala National Forest. Camping within and around the Balsam Lake Day Use Area, the Tom nMalonee Fishing Trail and Wolf Creek Fishing Trail. Building and or maintaining a fire or campfire. Being in the area…
Whiteside Mountain Recreation Area Prohibitions- Nantahala Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited in the Whiteside Recreation Area Falls Recreation Area:Camping or establishing a campsite. Building and or maintaining a campfire.
Whitewater Falls Recreation Area Prohibitions- Nantahala Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited in the Whitewater Falls Recreation Area, Jackson County, Nantahala National Forest. Camping or establishing a campsite within the Whitewater Falls Recreation Area, the Foothills Trail, Whitewater River Corridor from NC Hwy 281 to the South Carolina State Line as…
Upper Nantahala River Camping Prohibitions- Nantahala Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited on the Upper Nantahala River Area on the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest: Camping in posted and/or maintained wildlife fields. 36 CFR 261.58(c)
Wilson Lick Ranger Station Prohibitions- Nantahala Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited at the Wilson Lick Ranger Station on the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest:Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or camp stove. 36 CFR 261.52(a) Camping. 36 CFR 261.58(e)
Wayah Bald Prohibitions- Nantahala Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited on the Wayah Bald Observation Area and the Wayah Bald Picnic Area on the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest:Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campstove. 36 CFR 261.52(a) Camping. 36 CFR 261.58(c)
Nantahala River Launch Site Fire Restrictions- Nantahala Ranger District
The following act is prohibited on the Nantahala River Launch Site on the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire. 36 CFR 261.52 (a)
Coweeta Hydrological Laboratory Fire Restrictions- Nantahala Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited on the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory within the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campstove. 36 CFR 261.52(a) Camping. 36 CFR 261.58(c)
Nantahala River Prohibitions- Nantahala Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited on the Nantahala River within the boundaries of the Nantahala National Forest:For public health and safety it is prohibited to enter, ride or float the river without properly wearing a United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device 36 CFR…
Arrowood Glade Alcohol Prohibitions- Nantahala Ranger District
The following act is prohibited in the Arrowood Glade Picnic Area, on the Nantahala Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest: Possessing a beverage which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by State law.
Wayehutta ORV Area Prohibitions - Nantahala Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited in the Wayehutta ORV Parking Area, Jackson County, Nantahala National Forest. Camping or establishing a campsite within 500 feet of the Wayehutta ORV Parking Area. Building and or maintaining a campfire.Possession of an alcoholic beverage as defined by state…
Firearms- Croatan National Forest
Discharging a firearm within the Croatan National Forest is prohibited expect in the lawful taking of wildlife.
Linville Gorge Wilderness Area Permit Requirement- Grandfather Ranger District
The following act is prohibited in the Linville Gorge Wilderness on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest:Camping October 3 In weekends and Federal Holidays during the period of May 1** through * without a permit. Remaining in the Linville Gorge Wilderness for more than…
Linville Gorge Wilderness Area Camping Restrictions- Grandfather Ranger District
The following act is prohibited on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest, at the following trail heads, along the boundary of the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area and Further described on the attached map:Pine Gap Bynum Bluff Cabin Babel Tower Conley Cave Pinch…
Seasonal Closure of Badin Lake OHV Trails- Uwharrie National Forest
The following acts are prohibited on designated off-highway vehicle (QHV) trails in the Badin Lake Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area from December 15 through March 31:Possession or use of a motorized vehicle. 36 CFR 261.53 {(b). Riding, hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse or other saddle or…
Table Rock Mountain, The Chimneys and Woodland Mountain Closure- Grandfather Ranger District
It is prohibited to go into or be upon the listed areas for the protection of a threatened, endangered, rare, unique or vanishing species of plants in the following areas: Table Rock Mountain The Chimneys Woods Mountain
Brown Mountain Alcohol Restrictions- Grandfather Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited in the Brown Mountain OHV (off Highway vehicle) area on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest, and further described on the attached map:Possessing a beverage which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by state law. 36 CFR 261.58(bb).
Wiseman View Recreation Area Prohibitions-Grandfather Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited in the Wiseman View Recreation Area beginning at the Kistler Memorial Highway on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest, and further described on the attached map: Use of vehicles, non- motorized vehicles or wheeled conveyances (bicycles,…
Wilson Creek Prohibitions- Grandfather Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited on the 2.2 mile section of Wilson Creek on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest: Possessing a beverage which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by State Law. 36C 261.58(bb). Camping within 500 feet of Wilson Creek. 36 CFR…
Alcohol Restrictions- Nantahala National Forest
Alcohol is restricted on the following locations on the Nantahala National Forest:Wayah Bald Tower and Picnic Area Fire’s Creek Picnic AreaBig Choga Dispersed Camping Sites Fire’s Creek Hunter’s Camp Dry Falls Recreational Area Jackrabbit Recreation Area Whiteside Mountain Recreation…
Metal Detectors Forest Order
Metal detecting is only allowed on the sand area of certain designated locations:King's Mountain Point in Uwharrie National ForestLake Powhatan Recreation Area on the Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest Ray Mines on the Appalachian Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest Jackrabbit…
Pisgah Ranger District Bear Canister Requirement- Pisgah Ranger District
Emergency Requirement to Use Bear Resistant Canisters in: Graveyard Fields Vicinity Shining Rock Wilderness Black Balsam Vicinity Sam’s Knob/Flat Laurel Creek Vicinity All persons camping overnight must use bear-resistant canisters for the storage of all food, refuse, and toiletries in…
Graveyard Field Camping Prohibitions- Pisgah Ranger District
Camping is prohibited in the Graveyard Fields Recreation Area vicinity.
General Forest Order on Camping Limits
The following acts are prohibited on the Pisgah, Nantahala, Uwharrie and Croatan National Forests: Camping or maintaining a campsite in excess of 14 days within any 30 day time period, unless the campsite has been posted with different stay limits by the Forest Service. 36 CFR…
Appalachian National Scenic Trail Forest Order
The following acts are prohibited in the areas described in this Order within the following National Forests: Chattahoochee, Nantahala, Pisgah, Cherokee, George Washington, and Jefferson.Staying more than 3 days within a 30-day period at any single Appalachian National Scenic Trail shelters within…
Flintlock Valley Shooting Range Prohibitions- Uwharrie National Forest
Flintrock Valley Shooting Range rules: It is prohibited to be in the Flintlock Valley Shooting Range Area when the gates on access road 576 are closed and when a Forest Service Range Safety Officer is not present. It is prohibited to be in the Safety Zone at any time, for any purpose. The Safety…
Pisgah Ranger District Bear Canister Requirement
The following act is prohibited in the North Mills River Campground, roadside campsites 1-6 on Yellow Gap Road FDR 1206, roadside campsites 1-9 on Wash Creek Road FDR 5000 and roadside campsites 1-6 on Hendersonville Reservoir Road FDR 142 in the Pisgah National Forest as shown on the attached map…
Forest Closures and Orders
Check out our closure orders and forest orders for more information.
Hurricane Erin Closures At Cape Lookout National Seashore:
The National Park Service staff will be monitoring ongoing developments with Hurricane Erin and will post updates as needed on the park website at go.nps.gov/stormwatch, and via Facebook and Instagram.
Prospectus for Passenger Ferry Service to the South Core Banks and Shackleford Banks and Land Transp
Find more information for concession business opportunity to provide passenger ferry service to the South Core Banks and Shackleford Banks and land transportation on the South Core Banks at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/concessions/cc-calo001-26.htm
Costly Outcome: Shark Island
Located near the Point of Cape Lookout, a sandbar has begun to connect, known as Shark Island, which lies outside of Cape Lookout's jurisdiction. The sand in this region is soft, making it difficult to navigate, increasing the risk of becoming stuck.
Fireworks Prohibited within Cape Lookout National Seashore
Happy Independence Day! We look forward to spending the holiday weekend with you. A friendly reminder that for public safety, fireworks are prohibited within Cape Lookout National Seashore.
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