Alerts

Catfish Lake Road will be closed at its intersection with US 70 from Monday, June 8, through Friday, June 12, to allow crews to install a drainage pipe as part of the R‑5777C project, the statewide effort to upgrade US 70 to interstate standards from Raleigh to Morehead City. During the closure,…

Please be advised that The Cliffside Lake Recreation Area will be closed until further notice due to a maintenance issue. Van Hook Glade Campground Remains OPEN and unaffected. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

The Pisgah Ranger District on Pisgah National Forest is conducting stream improvements for fish passage due to Helene storm damage on Forest Service Road #225B. Improvements include removing culverts to create a natural bottom ford. For public safety the road is temporarily closed to all traffic,…

The Pisgah Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest has partnered with The Pisgah Conservancy and the Blue Ridge Parkway on a project to create the Upper Falls Connector Trail— a new 0.9-mile trail originating at the John Rock Overlook parking area to access Graveyard Fields. Graveyard…

Connely Creek Road (NFSR 86) on the Nantahala Ranger District will be closed until October 2026 for road improvements. The closure will extend from the intersection of Cowee Bald Road (NFSR 70) to the intersection of Barkers Creek (NFSR 7062). Access to Cowee Bald will only be available from Macon…

Please visit our Helene Information page for a full list of closures.

Effective through May 1, 2035, certain National Forest System lands in the Paint Rock area, located on the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest and the Unaka Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest, will be closed to protect cultural resources.This closure is intended to…

The Iron Mountain Gap detour is now in place to route hikers around the final remaining 6 miles of closed section of the Appalachian Trail from about a mile south of the destroyed Cherry Gap Shelter to about a mile north of Iron Mountain Gap (approx. NOBO mile 360.6 to 365.9). The detour is mapped…

Due to Hurricane Florence the following areas will remain closed on the Croatan National Forest: The Neusiok Trail from Pinecliff Recreation Area Trailhead to Pinecliff Equestrian Trail Detour Fishers Landing Recreation Area Flanner's Beach Picnic Area- from posted fence to water's edgePinecliff…

The following act is prohibited within 1000 feet of a road open to public vehicle travel on the Pisgah Ranger District in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Transylvania Counties in North Carolina.Camping is prohibited in any area not designated as a campsite depicted on the attached map. This…

Restrictions on camping, fires, animals, aircraft and bicycles in Max Patch area. 

The following acts are prohibited in the Finger Lake Area on the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest:Possessing a beverage, which is defined as an alcholic beverage by State law. 36 CFR 261.58(bb) Being in the area after sundown or before sunrise. 36 CFR 261.58(1)

The following acts are prohibited within the Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River Corridor. This order applies to that portion of the Chattooga: National Wild and Scenic River Corridor within the Nantahala National Forest.  Entering or being on the waters within the boundaries of the Chattooga…

Alcohol is prohibited within the Fishers Landing Recreation Area, specifically 1,500 feet from the shoreline of the Neuse River

The following restrictions apply to shooting ranges on the National Forests in North Carolina listed below:   Atoah Shooting Range Moss Knob Shooting Range Dirty John Shooting Range Panther Top Shooting Range Possessing a beverage that is defined as an alcoholic beverage by state law within…

 The following acts are prohibited in the Whitewater Falls Recreation Area, Jackson County, Nantahala National Forest. Camping or establishing a campsite within the Whitewater Falls Recreation Area, the Foothills Trail, Whitewater River Corridor from NC Hwy 281 to the South Carolina State Line as…

The following acts are prohibited in the Whiteside Recreation Area Falls Recreation Area:Camping or establishing a campsite. Building and or maintaining a campfire.

The following acts are prohibited in the Balsam Lake Day Use Area, Jackson County, Nantahala National Forest. Camping within and around the Balsam Lake Day Use Area, the Tom nMalonee Fishing Trail and Wolf Creek Fishing Trail. Building and or maintaining a fire or campfire. Being in the area…

The following act is prohibited in the Arrowood Glade Picnic Area, on the Nantahala Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest: Possessing a beverage which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by State law.

The following acts are prohibited in the Wayehutta ORV Parking Area, Jackson County, Nantahala National Forest. Camping or establishing a campsite within 500 feet of the Wayehutta ORV Parking Area. Building and or maintaining a campfire.Possession of an alcoholic beverage as defined by state…

Discharging a firearm within the Croatan National Forest is prohibited expect in the lawful taking of wildlife.

Alcohol is restricted on the following locations on the Nantahala National Forest:Wayah Bald Tower and Picnic Area Fire’s Creek Picnic AreaBig Choga Dispersed Camping Sites Fire’s Creek Hunter’s Camp Dry Falls Recreational Area Jackrabbit Recreation Area Whiteside Mountain Recreation…

Check out our closure orders and forest orders for more information.