Special to IFN
BURNSVILLE — Mount Mitchell State Park opened on Monday for the first time since Hurricane Helene. The reopening is in conjunction with the Blue Ridge Parkway’s reopening from milepost 382, in Asheville, to milepost 355.3, near the entrance to the state park.
“North Carolinians and travelers from across the country will be able to visit Mount Mitchell State Park just in time for leaf season,” said Gov Josh Stein. “I am grateful to the National Park Service and NCDOT teams for their hard work to reopen this stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway and excited that people can continue to see what makes Western North Carolina unforgettable.”
Mount Mitchell’s reopening means all state parks are now at least partially open, nearly one year after Helene hit Western North Carolina. For up to date information about Mount Mitchell State Park and a map of accessible roads and trails, visit the NC State Parks website.
“We are very excited all of our state parks have now reopened for visitors to enjoy before the one-year milestone marking Helene,” said N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela Cashwell. “We are grateful to our partners at the National Park Service for their hard work in repairing the Blue Ridge Parkway, and we are very proud of our staff at the state park for ensuring the park was ready to reopen as soon as access through the parkway was restored.”
Most trails within the state park boundary have reopened, except for a section of Old Mitchell Trail from the park office to its intersection with Camp Alice Trail. However, several trails in the Pisgah National Forest that connect to the park remain closed. Visitors should check with the U.S. Forest Service’s website for the most up-to-date status of Pisgah trails and facilities.
The Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed from just past Mount Mitchell’s entrance to milepost 334 near Little Switzerland. Visitors coming from east and north of the park will need to enter the parkway near Asheville. Travelers should be prepared and make sure they have enough fuel for a 70-mile round trip before entering the parkway, as there are no gas stations near the park.
The tent campsites and the restaurant at Mount Mitchell remain closed until further notice. The concession stand will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, and the gift shop will also open soon, pending staffing availability.
“We are eager to welcome back our visitors to enjoy the iconic views at Mount Mitchell,” said State Parks Director Brian Strong. “We ask that visitors be mindful of continued facility closures, including those within neighboring public lands. We are continuing to make repairs at Mount Mitchell as well, so please use caution on the park roads and trails. Our priority is always the safety of our visitors and staff.”
Though all state parks are now partially open, a few facilities remain closed until further notice. Visitors should check ncparks.gov prior to their visit for the most up-to-date status of parks.