Our office operations have changed due to COVID-19. Some offices are closed to the public while others have limited hours or are open by appointment only. Please contact local offices by phone or email to find the current status and how to get the services and information you need.
Weekend camping in Linville Gorge 2021 Season (May 1 to October 31)
Permits are required to camp in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area on Friday and Saturday nights and holidays beginning May 1 through October 31. To reserve a permit, call the Grandfather Ranger District office Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm at 828-652-2144. Demand is high so expect the phone line to be frequently busy. A group may have up to 10 people.
See the Alert below for list of weekends with limited or no availability.
Contact(s):
Grandfather Ranger District office between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm at 828-652-2144
Permits are required to camp in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area on Friday and Saturday nights and holidays beginning May 1 through October 31
Permits are reservable by phone only. The Linville Gorge Information Cabin is currently closed and walk-up permits are not available at this time. Permits are only available via reservation and permit availability is limited.
To reserve a permit, call the Grandfather Ranger District office between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm at 828-652-2144. Demand is high so expect the phone line to be frequently busy. A group may have up to 10 people.
Dates available for May 2021: Currently there are no available dates for May. Updated 5/5/2021
New Bern, NC, April 14, 2020—Riding off-highway vehicles at Black Swamp OHV Trail on the Croatan National Forest requires a pass sold only on Recreation.gov. On the website, search for Black Swamp OHV and select the 1-day pass for $5 or the annual pass for $30.
You don’t need to print a copy of the day pass. You can store the pass on your smart phone or other device and show it to confirm your purchase. If you buy an annual pass, you can print the pass to display on your tow vehicle.
Mortimer Campground reopens April 1 with a new bridge to improve wildlife habitat and public safety. This year will also bring changes to the reservation system for the campground. Five of the 17 campsites will be available for reservations online at Recreation.gov beginning April 15. The remaining 12 sites will remain available on a first-come first-serve basis. Book online for the 2021 season now at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10046915.
Uwharrie National Forest is conducting a 357 acre controlled burn on the Wolf Den unit today, 3/22/21. Smoke may be seen near Arrowhead Campground and Flintlock Valley Shooting Range.
The Grandfather Ranger District is planning a 1,000-acre prescribed fire for Saturday January 23 in the Rose's Mountain burn unit. The Mountains to Sea trail will be temporarily closed from Steeles Creek to the junction of Table Rock and New Ginger Cake. The trail is expected to reopen on Monday January 25.
The goal of this prescribed fire is to reduce the risk of wildfires and help create a healthier, more diverse and more resilient forest that can better support wildlife.
The following roads are closed through April 1, 2021:
Boardtree (FSR 388)
Upper Nantahala (FSR 67)
Deep Gap (FSR 71)
Shingletree (FSR 713)
Shope Fork (FSR 751)
Ball Creek (FSR 83)
Connelly Creek (FSR 86 through Alarka-Laurel)
Wayah Bald (FSR 69)
Winding Stairs (FSR 422)
Little Yellow Mtn. (FSR 367)
Big Creek (FSR 4567)
Cold Spring Gap (FSR 4663)
Moses Creek (FSR 4651)
Old Bald Road (FSR 4652)
Sugar Creek (FSR 4665)
Gage Creek (FSR 4648)
Wolf Mountain (FSR 4663C)
Charley Knob (FSR 4654)
On all Forest Service roads, emergency closures due to weather or resource conditions can occur at any time. For current road conditions and status, contact the Nantahala Ranger District at 828-524-6441 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The following roads are temporarily closed until April 1, 2021:
Big Fat (FSR 62)
Farley Cove (FSR 407)
Tatham Gap/Long Creek (FSR 423)
Long Hungry (FSR 1127)
Santeelah Creek (FSR 81)
On all Forest Service roads, emergency closures due to weather or resource conditions can occur at any time. For current road conditions and status, contact the Cheoah Ranger District at 828-479-6431 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The following Forest Service Roads (FSR) are temporarily closed until weather and road conditions improve:
Avery Creek FSR 477 (the upper portion, from the horse stable up to Hwy 276)
Yellow Gap FSR 1206
Headwaters FSR 475B
Wash Creek FSR 5000
Bent Creek FSR 479 (from Ledford Branch to Blue Ridge Parkway)
Pilot Mountain Road FSR 229
Courthouse Creek FSR 140
On all Forest Service roads, emergency closures due to weather or resource conditions can occur at any time. For current road conditions and status, call the Pisgah Ranger District at 828-877-3265 or email at sm.fs.pisgahrd@usda.gov Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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