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.

Alerts

• Moss Knob and Dirty John Shooting Ranges temporary closure

  Area(s): Dirty John Shooting Range, Moss Knob Shooting Range

  Date(s): May 3, 2022 - May 23, 2022

  Contact(s): Nantahala Ranger District

  Moss Knob and Dirty John Shooting Ranges will be temporarily closed for repairs to roads and shooting mounts from May 16-20. Panther Top Shooting Range remains open. 

• Catawba Falls Trail (TR 225) Closed

  Date(s): May 2, 2022

  Ever since the US Forest Service acquired Catawba Falls, plans have been in motion to get visitors safely from the trailhead to the upper falls. The 9-12 month closure of the Catawba Falls Trail, from May 2, 2022 through spring 2023, is necessary for the next phase of improvements focused on visitor safety and accessibility. We appreciate your understanding as this popular waterfall is closed this season.

  Closure Order & Map

• Camping and other restrictions now in effect at Max Patch

  Area(s): Appalachian Trail Shelters, Appalachian Trail #1-02, Max Patch

  Date(s): Jul 1, 2021

  New restrictions at Max Patch to reduce impacts to natural resources and protect public health and safety are effective in area delineated on map at link below:

  • No camping.
  • No fires.
  • Area closes 1 hour after sundown. Reopens 1 hour before sunrise. Visitors prohibited during closed hours.
  • Group size limited to 10.
  • Dogs and other animals must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet, or in a crate or cage.
  • Stay on designated trails.
  • Aircraft may not land nor drop off or pick up anything in this area. Drones are prohibited on Appalachian Trail.
  • No fireworks.
  • Bikes must stay on roads only.
  • Horses and other saddle and pack animals may not be ridden, hitched, tethered, or hobbled in this area.

  See https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD927764

• Pisgah RD: Barnett Branch Fire 4/30/22

  Date(s): Apr 28, 2022

  Firefighters are working to contain the Barnett Branch Fire on the Pisgah Ranger District. The fire is approximately 370 acres and 50% contained. The Blue Ridge Parkway has reopened from Highway 276 to the Pisgah Inn. Closures are still in effect for Yellow Gap Road, Barnett Branch Trail #618 above Yellow Gap Road, Buck Springs Trail #104, and Mountains to Sea Trail from Hwy 276 north to the Pisgah Inn. While Yellow Gap Road may open later today pending an assessment of conditions, the trails are expected to remain closed for the next few days due to fire activity and resulting hazards.

  MORE -->>

• Grandfather and Appalachian RD Prescribed Burns Planned 4/11 & 4/12

  Date(s): Apr 8, 2022

  NEBO, NC (April 8, 2022) – The U.S. Forest Service is planning to conduct prescribed burns on the Pisgah National Forest's Grandfather and Appalachian Ranger Districts on April 11th and 12th. A 2,700-acre prescribed burn is planned along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Curtis Creek Road on the Grandfather Ranger District, while a 189-acre burn is planned for Victor Road on the Appalachian Ranger District. Smoke impacts, area roadway closures, and detours/delays are anticipated. Impacted roadways and potential closures include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Victor Rd, Curtis Creek Rd, and Neals Creek Rd. The dispersed campsites on Victor Road will be closed and public access to the area will be restricted. Visitors are asked to plan their visit and travel routes accordingly to avoid the burn operations.

• Nantahala RD Prescribed Burn Planned 4/4

  Date(s): Apr 4, 2022

  The Nantahala Ranger District is planning to conduct a 1,448-acre prescribed burn today, April 4th, in the Standing Indian area of Macon County.

  For visitor and firefighter safety the following trails will be closed: Kimsey Creek TR23, Park Creek TR33, and Park Ridge TR32. These trails will be opened as soon as it is safe to do so following the fire's completion.

  The goal of this prescribed burn is to reduce fuels in the understory to help reduce the risk of wildfires.

• Uwharrie NF Prescribed Burn Planned 4/5

  Date(s): Apr 4, 2022

  The Uwharrie National Forest is planning to conduct a 401-acre prescribed burn near the Wood Run Trailhead off NC 24/27 on Tuesday,  April 5.

  The burn will reduce the buildup of hazardous fuels to prevent large wildfires, provide low browse forage for wildlife, and support the shortleaf oak hickory ecosystem.

  Three trails will be temporarily closed for burn operations: TR98 Dutchmans Creek, TR 395 Supertree Loop, and TR396 Wood Run. The Uwharrie Trail should not be impacted other than drift smoke. Trails are planned to close Sunday evening and reopen Tuesday once containment lines have been checked for safety.

  The dates for the burn and the actual number of acres burned will depend upon weather conditions. Burning days are changeable because the proper conditions are needed. Wind and relative humidity are key factors in fire behavior, safety, and smoke control. Prescribed burning will only occur when environmental conditions permit.

• Grandfather RD Prescribed Burn Planned 4/4-4/5

  Date(s): Apr 1, 2022

  NEBO, NC (April 1, 2022) – The U.S. Forest Service is planning a 4,725-acre prescribed burn on the Pisgah National Forest's Grandfather Ranger District in McDowell County in the coming days to reduce the risk of wildfires. If conditions allow, burning will begin at Boyd Gap and then move into the Big Lost Bear unit directly North of Old Fort, NC between Newberry Creek and Curtis Creek Drainages. Trail closures will be in effect for Newberry Creek Trail (210) and Snooks Nose Trail (211).        

  The dates for the burn and the actual number of acres burned will depend upon weather conditions. Burning days are changeable because the proper conditions are needed; wind and relative humidity are key factors in fire behavior, safety, and smoke control. Prescribed burning will only occur when environmental conditions permit. During the burns, proper personnel and equipment will be on site.

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