North Carolina closes 25 state parks to promote social distancing

Dozens of North Carolina's state parks are closing as the statewide stay-at-home order takes effect.

Posted 9:02 a.m. Mar 30, 2020 — Updated 4:04 p.m. Mar 30, 2020

Joe Fisher

, WRAL reporter

Dozens of North Carolina's state parks are closing as the statewide stay-at-home order takes effect.

Under Gov. Roy Cooper's order, which goes into effect at 5 p.m., people are still allowed to enjoy trails and greenways as long as they practice social distancing.

However, North Carolina has already closed 25 parks because of continued overcrowding that made social distancing almost impossible, and the public is barred from using those parks.

On Sunday, closures were announced at Cliffs Of Neuse State Park in Wayne County and Carvers Creek in Cumberland County.

Over the weekend, many people arrived at the trails at William B. Umstead State Park and Eno River to find “closed” signs at the entrance. As of Monday morning, the following North Carolina parks were closed:

Carvers Creek State Park
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park (Eagle Rock and Rumbling Bald accesses are open)
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
Crowders Mountain State Park
Elk Knob State Park
Eno River State Park
Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Fort Macon State Park
Gorges State Park
Grandfather Mountain State Park
Hanging Rock State Park
Lake James State Park
Lake Waccamaw State Park
Lumber River State Park
Morrow Mountain State Park
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
Mount Mitchell State Park
New River State Park
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
Pilot Mountain State Park
Raven Rock State Park
South Mountains State Park
Stone Mountain State Park
William B. Umstead State Park

For the most up-to-date list of closings, visit the state parks website.

Although the governor’s order allows running, biking, golfing and other outdoor recreation as long as people are keeping six feet of distance, some parks were closed to protect the community.

Even parks staying open have restricted some areas – like picnic shelters – and all visitor centers and restrooms are closed. National parks are closing too, including Yellowstone, Grand Teton and the Great Smoky Mountains.

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