Five state parks have reopened in western North Carolina in the nearly five weeks after Hurricane Helene. Eight western N.C. state parks remain closed.

On Nov. 1, Crowders Mountain, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain and Lake Norman state parks, as well as Rendezvous Mountain, reopened partially on Nov. 1, according to the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

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The following areas are open at each park:

  • Crowders Mountain: Trails and day-use reopen, all camping will remain closed through November.
    • Gorges: Grassy Ridge Access (visitor center, trails to Rainbow and Upper Bearwallow Falls, RV/trailer/tent camping and cabins) reopen; the backcountry area (Frozen Creek Access, including Auger Hole and Canebrake trails and backcountry campsites) will remain closed.
      • Grandfather Mountain: Most trails and campsites reopen; Profile Trail, Profile Connector Trail and Profile Campsite will remain closed.
        • Lake Norman: Day-use and tent/trailer/RV and group campsites reopen; some sections of mountain bike trail may be closed; cabins remain closed to new reservations; existing reservations are being honored.
          • Rendezvous Mountain: All areas reopen.

            "We are very excited to be able to reopen these parks, and we hope to open additional facilities in November," said state parks director Brian Strong. "We know our visitors have been missing our closed parks, and we hope these reopenings will help our neighbors, local towns and communities."

            Visitor and staff safety remain top priority, Strong said, urging visitors to follow signs indicating which areas are closed.

            "There are areas that will be marked closed due to hazardous trees and branches with a high likelihood of falling as well as unsteady bridges and washed-out trails," he said.

            The following parks remain closed entirely:

            • Chimney Rock
              • Elk Knob
                • Lake James
                  • Mount Mitchell
                    • New River
                      • South Mountains and Stone Mountain state parks
                        • Mount Jefferson State Natural Area

                          Some of the remaining closed parks may reopen partially in November depending on progress with cleanup and hazard mitigation.

                          Lake Norman
                          Photo by Leslie Cross on Unsplash

                          Chimney Rock, Mount Mitchell, and South Mountains will be undergoing extended closure. Reservations for campsites anticipated to be closed have been refunded in full.

                          Is western NC ready for tourists?

                          Yes, parts of western North Carolina are ready for visitors. A new map shows which portions of western North Carolina are open for tourists, and Visit North Carolina's travel update page is another great resource.

                          Roads remain closed in the mountains, with these updates to major routes:

                          • I-40 is closed in both directions from Mile Marker 20 (US 276 west of Lake Junaluska) to Mile Marker 0 at the Tennessee state line.
                            • I-26 has reopened at the Tennessee state line with one lane open in both directions. Restrictions and detours remain in place for through truck traffic and wide loads.

                              DriveNC.gov provides current road conditions throughout the region including alternate route recommendations for through traffic on I-40 and I-26.

                              How to help the mountains

                              WRAL News has a guide to how to help Helene survivors in western North Carolina.