Wildfire threat prompts camping closures at 9 North Carolina state parks Friday

Joe Marusak
·2 min read

The ongoing threat of wildfires across North Carolina prompted state officials on Friday to close back country campsites in nine state parks.

Camping is off limits until Dec. 1 at Crowders Mountain, Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell and the six other state parks, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

Crowders Mountain State Park in Kings Mountain, N.C., is shown Oct. 25, 2022. The ongoing threat of wildfires across the state prompted the closure of back country camp sites in the park and eight others on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.
Crowders Mountain State Park in Kings Mountain, N.C., is shown Oct. 25, 2022. The ongoing threat of wildfires across the state prompted the closure of back country camp sites in the park and eight others on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

Along with Lake Norman State Park in Troutman, the nine parks are already under a state burn ban issued due to parched conditions.

The state Forest Service prohibited outdoor burning in 30 Western North Carolina counties after wildfires burned thousands of acres, The News & Observer reported Friday. Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency in 33 western counties.

The burning ban makes camp fires illegal at the nine parks. Campers should bring a portable gas stove or grill for cooking, officials urged Friday.

Other state parks under Friday’s camping ban are Elk Knob, Gorges, Lake James, New River, South Mountains and Stone Mountain.

Black bears already forced the closure of the tent, trailer and RV campground and camper cabins at Gorges State Park in Sapphire through Nov. 16, officials said.

A firefighter tackles part of a 434-acre, 3-week-old brush fire in Henderson County, NC.
A firefighter tackles part of a 434-acre, 3-week-old brush fire in Henderson County, NC.

Some camping sites in the parks are allowed to stay open despite Friday’s ban, including:

▪ The Lake James State Park tent, trailer and RV campground at Paddy’s Creek Access and the tent campsites at Catawba River Access.

▪ The New River State Park walk-in tent campsites at Wagoner Access and all campsites at U.S. 221 Access.

▪ The South Mountains State Park tent, trailer and RV campground.

▪ The Stone Mountain State Park tent, trailer and RV campground and the walk-in group campsites.

Campers holding any park reservations between Nov. 10, and Dec. 1, will receive a full refund, officials said.

For more fire safety information, visit the N.C. State Parks website at https://ncparks.gov/fire.