Appalachian Ranger District
Tropical Storm Helene Emergency Closure Order
1/27/2025-10/01/2025 or until rescinded
OPEN-
Haywood and Madison
All trails are open
Yancey and Buncombe
Big Butt Trail from the Highway 197 trailhead (Cane River Gap) to the Little Butt viewpoint.
The portion of this trail from the Little Butt viewpoint to the Blue Ridge Parkway trailhead is closed.
Appalachian Trail
I-40 to Indian Grave Gap (milepost 241.3 to 351.8)
Hughes Gap to Carvers Gap to Doll Flats (milepost 373.1 to 390.9)
Appalachian Trail Detour – Iron Mountain Gap
As of March 2025, part of this route between Low Gap and north of Iron Mountain Gap is temporarily inaccessible to give crews room to remove storm debris and reduce the risk of wildfire. The Iron Mtn Gap Detour total length is 6 miles, NOBO mile 360.6 to 365.9. For more information and to view the official detour, please visit https://appalachiantrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Iron-Mtn-Gap-Detour-Web-1.pdf
REMAINING CLOSED-
Avery County
- Elk Falls Trail & Elks Fall Road
Mitchell County Trails & Roads
- Poplar Boat Launch Road
- Appalachian Trail Sections:
- Indian Grave Gap to Iron Mt. Gap
- Iron Mt. Gap to Hughes Gap
Roan Mountain
- Cloudland Trail
- Roan Mountain Gardens Trail including Loop A and B
- Roan Mountain Road & Balsam Road
Buncombe County
- Mountains to Sea Trail
- Ogle Meadows Road
- All trails and roads within the Big Ivy, Coleman Boundary and Shope Creek areas.
Yancey County
- All trails and roads within the South Toe/Mt. Mitchell areas.
- Lost Cove Trail
- Devils Creek Trail
- Bowlens Creek Road (Motor Vehicle Prohibited)
- Hunt Camp Road (All Use Prohibited)
Haywood County
- Haynes Road (Hurricane Creek)
- Buzzard Roost Road
- Old Buzzard Roost Road
Madison County
- Murray Branch Road
RECREATION SITES-
Harmon Den Campground will open in May during its regular open season (May thru October).
The following developed recreation sites and campgrounds remain closed due to damage from Helene:
- Murray Branch Picnic Area
- Black Mountain Campground
- Briar Bottom Campground
- Poplar Boat Launch
- Roan Mountain Recreation Area
Fire Related Inquiries call : 828-519-8207
The restrictions for all open burning in the area of Roan Mountain remains in effect.
It is in effect on all National Forest System land from Hughes Gap to Doll Flats on the Appalachian Trail.
Passes & Permits
Firewood permits are not required for this district until December 2025. Forest product permits, such as Galax, are not able to be dispersed for Mitchell, Avery, Buncombe, or Yancey Counties at this time.
Complexes
The Big Ivy, Coleman Boundary area is located on the Appalachian Ranger District near Barnardsville, NC.
The South Toe River area is on the Appalachian Ranger District near Burnsville, NC.
The campground offers 37 primitive campsites with 3 campsites with electric hookups.
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area campsites are cool-misty havens under an abundance of hemlock and hardwood shade.
Flat Top Mountain is located in Yancey County, NC. Three different hiking trails travel through woods of poplar, oak and maple.
Harmon Den is on the Appalachian Ranger District in the vicinity of exit 7 off of I-40. The area is a haven for hikers and horseback riders.
**THIS IS A RESERVATION ONLY CAMPGROUND** There are no walk up/first come first serve sites
The French Broad River and Appalachian Trail travel right through Hot Springs making the town a haven for hikers, rafters and other outdoor enthusiasts.
The Shelton Laurel Backcountry area located in Madison County, NC is a unique part of the Appalachian Ranger District.
The picnic area has 19 tables and grills, and a large pavilion available by reservation.
Fish along the French Broad River or hike the nearby River Ridge Loop Trail. Walkway to accessible fishing pier.
Famous for its spectacular natural gardens of Catawba rhododendrons, Roan Mountain shelters a rich diversity of life, from spruce-fir forests to vast grassy balds.
Recreation Sites
ARD Bear Canister Program
Big Ivy Area, Coleman Boundary
Black Mountain / South Toe River Area
Black Mountain Campground
Briar Bottom Group Campground
Carolina Hemlocks Picnic Area
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area
Flat Top Mountain Area
Harmon Den Area
Harmon Den Horsecamp