Pisgah National Forest
From Recreation.gov
Davidson River Campground Closed November 2025 - May 2026 for Bathhouse Renovations: To enhance the guest experience, the US Forest Service and Naventure are collaborating to modernize the campground’s bathhouses with upgraded facilities designed for improved comfort and privacy. The campground will be closed from November 2025 through May 2026 to complete this work. We look forward to welcoming you back when renovations are complete.
From Recreation.gov
**Davidson River Campground — Closure Update: Now Reopening July 1, 2026** To enhance the guest experience, the U.S. Forest Service and Naventure are collaborating to modernize Davidson River Campground with new bathhouses, upgraded utilities, and fresh pavement throughout. Due to severe winter weather conditions that impacted construction, our anticipated reopening date has been extended from May 1 to July 1, 2026. We appreciate your patience as these important improvements are completed, and we look forward to welcoming you back to a campground that is better than ever. For questions, please visit [www.naventure.com/closures][1] [1]: http://www.naventure.com/closures
Campsite limitations
Specific Camping prohibitions1. Camping for more than 14 days in developed and dispersed areas. Camping in anylocation is limited to 14 consecutive days. On the 14th consecutive day, the camper andparty must leave that area/campground for a minimum of seven days before returning foranother stay. If…
Camping not permitted within 300 feet of the Cherohala Skyway
Camping restricted along Skyway to beyond 300 yards.
motorboats restricted on Forest Service Lakes
Possession or operating a vessel powered by an internal combustion engine of any size or propelled by any other machinery rated greater than 5 horsepower is prohibited on McKamy Lake, Indian Boundary Lake, and Allen Branch Pond.
Little Sylco Project closes portion of FS 221
The US Forest Service plans to disrupt access to portions of FS 221 beginning Nov. 10 south of Parksville Lake while permanent water crossing repairs are completed to improve access across the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County. This Emergency Repair is in response to flood damage that…
Little Milligan Boat Ramp Temporary Closure Planned
The Little Milligan Boat Ramp Recreation Area is temporary unavailable to the public for visitor health and safety during Hurricane Helene salvage logging operations.
Closure order prohibiting protected areas pertaining to Paint Rock
Going into or being upon or in the area of closure (this includes all forms ofpresence, including as a pedestrian or by any and all other means)
Wilderness Closure Orders
This Forest Order is associated with Wilderness Areas limitations concerning stay duration, group size limits, mechanized equipment, camping and camping equipment.
Donley Cabin Camping Limitations
Limits to Donley Cabin exist to preserve small group opportunities in a remote setting. No overnight occupancy by more than 6 persons. No stays in the area except for 6 person limit authorized between sundown and sunrise. No discharge of firearm, air rifle, or gas gun within 500 feet of Donley…
Equestrian animals prohibited around Citico Creek
Equestrian animals are prohibited from going into or being upon the critical habitat portion of Citico Creek for the protection of threatened and endanger species.
FS Road 225B Closed to All Traffic
The Pisgah Ranger District is conducting stream improvements due to Helene storm damage on Forest Service Rd #225B. For public safety the road is temporarily closed to all traffic, including hikers, bikers, and horses. Heavy machinery will be in the area. Once repairs are complete…
John Rock Overlook Parking Area Partial Closure
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…
Elk River Falls Temporary Re-Closure
Temporary Closure: Elk River Falls AreaClosure Order Closure Order MapStarting March 18, the Elk River Falls Area will be temporarily closed on the Pisgah National Forest. This includes closing the Elk River Trail, Elk River Falls and Elk River Road within the closure area in Avery County. The…
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…
Roan Mountain Fire Restrictions
Fire restrictions are now in effect for the Roan Mountain area of Appalachian Ranger District due to heightened fire danger caused by Hurricane Helene. The fire restriction is in effect on all National Forest System land from Hughes Gap to Doll Flats on the Appalachian Trail.This…
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
Effective through May 1, 2035, certain National Forest System lands in the Paint Rock area, located on the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest and the Unaka Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest, will be closed to protect cultural resources.This closure is intended to…
Appalachian Trail Detour- Iron Mountain Gap
The Iron Mountain Gap detour is now in place to route hikers around the final remaining 6 miles of closed section of the Appalachian Trail from about a mile south of the destroyed Cherry Gap Shelter to about a mile north of Iron Mountain Gap (approx. NOBO mile 360.6 to 365.9). The detour is mapped…
Kings Mountain Point Fishing Pier Closure
The fishing pier at Kings Mountain Point Day Use Area on the Uwharrie National Forest is closed till further notice due to storm damage. The Day Use area remains open and the three smaller accessible fishing platforms are available for public use.
Pisgah Camping Limitations
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…
Max Patch Restrictions
Restrictions on camping, fires, animals, aircraft and bicycles in Max Patch area.
Overview
Pisgah National Forest remains largely open but is still recovering from significant Hurricane Helene damage that occurred in fall 2024. The forest consists of three ranger districts with varying levels of access. The Pisgah Ranger District (Brevard area) has been mostly reopened since October 2024, though several Forest Service roads remain closed including portions of Headwaters Road, upper Avery Creek past the stables, Cathey's Creek at water intake, Courthouse Creek, Pilot Mountain, and Yellow Gap roads. Road maintenance and slide repairs are ongoing. The Appalachian Ranger District has made considerable progress with many trails and sites now open in Madison County (Hot Springs area), portions of Mitchell County (Roan Mountain), and Yancey County, though Big Ivy, Shope Creek, South Toe River areas, and many backcountry trails remain closed due to safety hazards. Fire restrictions are in effect in the Roan Highlands area. The Grandfather Ranger District has reopened over 250 miles of trails including the popular Catawba Falls, but Curtis Creek Campground, Table Rock Picnic Area, Wilson Creek Gorge Day Use Area, and numerous backcountry trails remain closed, with temporary closures occurring on the western Linville Gorge for ongoing Helene repairs. Heavy equipment is actively working forest-wide, placing up to 2,000 tons of gravel daily on damaged roads. Visitors should expect limited cell service, closed restrooms at some facilities, and exercise extreme caution around damaged areas, unstable trees, and work crews. Most developed campgrounds are operational, though Davidson River Campground will close November 2025-May 2026 for renovations.
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