The 2019 climbing closure to protect rare peregrine falcons is now in effect
Each year between January 15 and August 15, the U.S. Forest Service closes several rock faces in western North Carolina to recreational activities, including rock climbing, to protect the rare Peregrine Falcons that nest there.
Specifically, prohibited activities include rock climbing, rappelling, hang gliding, and other recreational activities on the rock faces themselves, and flying drones in the vicinity of these rock faces and within posted areas. Overnight camping within posted areas is not allowed. Through hiking on designated trails is permitted within the posted boundaries. This closure is in effect for the protection of peregrine falcon nesting sites and is effective January 19, 2018 through August 15, 2020.
Wildlife biologists in the state have been working since the 1980's to help recover Peregrine Falcons, which dwindled to only one mating pair in NC in the 1950's. Perhaps the greatest challenge to the recovery of the species is nesting success. Peregrine falcons mate for life and return to the same site each year to nest. If the pair is disturbed, they will leave the site and may not nest again until the following year. Please help us save this species by avoiding the rock cliffs in the following areas when they are posted closed:
Appalachian District - Whiterock Cliff and Buzzard's Roost
Grandfather District - NC Wall and Shortoff Mountain (in Linville Gorge) and Big Lost Cove Cliffs
Nantahala District - Pickens Nose (east face) and Whiteside Mountain
Pisgah District - Looking Glass Rock (north face) and North Cedar Rock (Northern Aggression area)
We are currently assessing the presence of ice and any potential effects of ice and associated ice climbing on the timing and success of peregrine falcon nesting and fledging.
Cedar Point Campground on the Croatan National Forest will reopen Monday, February 18. It will be on a first come, first served basis. Reservations on recreation.gov will be available starting March 1.
The day use area at the Cedar Point Recreation Area on the Croatan National Forest will reopen daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting today, January 30.
The area has been closed since Hurricane Florence and some damaged electrical equipment is still present. Visitors should obey signs to stay away from these areas. The campground is expected to reopen within the next two weeks on a first come/first served basis. Recreation.gov will start accepting reservations for Cedar Point campground on March 1, 2019.
For more information, contact the Croatan Ranger District at (252) 638-5628.
Pine Cliff horse trails on Croatan National Forest reopened in December. Pine Cliff Road is open up to the entrance to the parking lot but barricades have been placed to restrict access beyond this point due to continued hazards on the road.
Oyster Point Campground will reopen after the road is repaired though a date for reopening is not available at this time. Flanners Beach/Neuse River Recreation Area will remain closed until hazards can be mitigated.
Many other recreation areas are open including Island Creek Trail, Patsy Pond Trail, Haywood Landing Boat Launch, Cahooque Creek Boat Launch, and Brice's Creek Recreation Area. As a reminder, camping is not allowed in these areas but is allowed at Long Point Boat Launch, which is also open.
For more information, contact the Croatan Ranger District at (252) 638-5628.
The 2019 climbing closure to protect rare falcons is now in effect as of January 15, 2019.
Each year several rock faces are closed to recreational activities to protect rare Peregrine Falcons nests. Help save this species by avoiding these rock cliffs:
Appalachian District - Whiterock Cliff and Buzzard's Roost
Pisgah District - North Cedar Rock (Northern Aggression area) and Looking Glass Rock (north face)
Grandfather District - Big Lost Cove Cliffs and Linville Gorge (Shortoff Mountain and NC Wall)
Nantahala District - Pickens Nose (east face) and Whiteside Mountain
Contact(s):
Grandfather Ranger District 828-652-2144
Nebo, NC, December 20, 2018 - Pisgah National Forest officials offer a reminder that several roads are seasonally closed on the Grandfather Ranger District.
Certain roads are seasonally closed to motorized vehicles to help protect wildlife habitat, decrease wildlife disturbance, reduce road maintenance costs, and in specific cases to protect public safety during long bouts of adverse weather.
The following roads close January 2 through April 2, 2019:
Contact(s):
Appalachian Ranger District 828-689-9694
Mars Hill, NC, December 20, 2018 - Pisgah National Forest officials offer a reminder that several roads will be seasonally closed starting today on the Appalachian Ranger District. These roads are located in the central portion of the Pisgah National Forest in Buncombe, Haywood, Madison, and Yancey counties.
Certain roads are seasonally closed to motorized vehicles to help protect wildlife habitat, decrease wildlife disturbance, reduce road maintenance costs, and in specific cases to protect public safety during long bouts of adverse weather.
The following roads close January 2 through April 2, 2019:
Pisgah Forest, NC, December 20, 2018 - Pisgah National Forest officials offer a reminder that several roads on the Pisgah Ranger District listed below are prone to temporary closures during snowy and icy conditions late fall through spring.
After temporary weather closures, roads will be reopened after they dry out. These temporary closures reduce road maintenance costs and protect public safety during adverse weather.
Drivers should be careful on all gravel roads during freeze-thaw cycles because the roads are especially susceptible to damage which could lead to long-term closures.
Certain roads are seasonally closed to motorized vehicles to help protect wildlife habitat and decrease wildlife disturbance. On all Forest Service roads, emergency closures due to weather or resource conditions can occur at any time.
The Nantahala RD will close some of its roads for the season starting January 2 until April 1, 2019.
Some roads are closed to motorized vehicles to help protect wildlife habitat, decrease disturbance, reduce road maintenance costs, and in specific cases, protect public safety during long bouts of adverse weather. The roads to be closed are:
Boardtree (388)
Upper Nantahala (67)
Deep Gap (71)
Shingletree (713)
Shope Fork (751)
Ball Creek (83)
Connelly Creek (86 to Alarka-Laurel)
Wayah Bald (69)
Winding Stairs (422)
Little Yellow Mtn. (367)
Big Creek (4567)
Cold Spring Gap (4663)
Moses Creek (4651)
Old Bald Road (4652)
Sugar Creek (4665)
Gage Creek (4648)
Wolf Mountain (4663C)
Charley Knob (4654)
Beech Flats (4668)
For current road conditions and status, contact the Nantahala Ranger District at 828- 524-6441.
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