Mount Mitchell State Park reopened Monday for the first time since Hurricane Helene, coinciding with the reopening of the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 382 in Asheville to milepost 355.3 near the park’s entrance according to an article by Iredell Free News.
“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,” Josh added.
The reopening marks the first time all state parks in North Carolina are at least partially open, nearly a year after Helene hit Western North Carolina.
For the latest information about Mount Mitchell State Park and a map of accessible roads and trails, visitors can consult 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,” Pamela added.
Most trails in the state park are now open, with the exception of a section of Old Mitchell Trail between the park office and its intersection with Camp Alice Trail.
Several trails in Pisgah National Forest that connect to the park remain closed, and visitors are advised to check the U.S. Forest Service’s website for the latest updates.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is still closed from just beyond Mount Mitchell’s entrance to milepost 334 near Little Switzerland.
Travelers approaching from the east and north will need to enter near Asheville and should plan ahead, bringing enough fuel for the 70-mile round trip, as no gas stations are near the park.
The park’s tent campsites and restaurant remain closed until further notice. The concession stand will operate on weekends, and the gift shop will reopen soon as staffing allows.
“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,” Brian added.
Although all state parks are now at least partially open, some facilities remain closed, and visitors are encouraged to check ncparks.gov before traveling.
The reopening of Mount Mitchell State Park restores access to one of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s most popular scenic destinations, offering outdoor enthusiasts the chance to enjoy fall travel and recreation in Western North Carolina.