Appalachian Ranger District Hurricane Helene Updated Closures

The Appalachian Ranger District and volunteers have made great progress clearing debris and repairing damage from Hurricane Helene. Thanks to this work, we're able to welcome visitors back to even more trails and recreation areas, in coordination with Mt. Mitchell State Park and National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway. Due to excessive fire risk, we have extended the Roan Mountain Fire Restriction between Hughes Gap and Doll Flats on the Appalachian Trail.  Please remember that some hazards may still be present. Stay alert and recreate safely. 

ALL OPENED SITES:

• AVERY COUNTY- Includes Elk Falls
  • TR 172 Elk Falls Trail Elk Falls Road
• BUNCOMBE COUNTY- Includes Big Ivy, Coleman Boundary, Shope Creek, Douglas Falls, Stony Fork
  • TR 161 Big Butt
  • TR 170 Snowball Trail to Hawkbill Rock (trail closed beyond Hawkbill Rock to the old fire tower site)
• HAYWOOD COUNTY-Includes Harmon Den
  • All Trails and Roads not listed in the closed list are OPEN!
• MADISON COUNTY- Includes the Hot Springs Area
  • Murray Branch Picnic Area
  • Stackhouse Boat Launch
  • All Trails and Roads are OPEN!
• MITCHELL COUNTY -Includes Roan Mountain
  • Appalachian Trail- Carver’s Gap and TR1- 08AT- *See AT Detour on Alerts Site*
  • Roan Mountain Day Use Area
  • FSR 130-Roan Mountain Road
  • TR 1000 Cloudland TR 1002 Roan Mtn. Gardens
• YANCEY COUNTY-Includes South Toe, Mount Mitchell
  • TR1-08 Appalachian Trail
  • TR 161 Big Butt
  • TR 177 Woody Ridge
  • TR 178 Colbert Ridge
  • TR 179 Black Mountain Crest – entire trail is now open; Bolens Creek to Deep Gap portion was reopened in May 2025 and now Deep to Mt. Mitchell State Park is re-opened.
  • TR 190- Mt. Mitchell and TR 440 Mountains to Sea Trail partially open from Mt. Mitchell State Park to Commissary Ridge (closed from Commissary Ridge to Black Mtn Campground/TH)
  • TR 188 Devils Creek
  • TR 191A Big Tom Gap
  • TR 191- Buncombe Horse Trail- Partially open from Maple Camp Bald to the intersection with Mount Mitchell State Park’s Commissary Trail; Closed from the Buncombe Horse Trailhead near Colbert’s Creek to Maple Camp Bald and closed from the junction of Mt. Mitchell State Park’s Commissary Trail to the intersection with the Mountains to Sea Trail to the South Toe Trailhead on FSR 472 (South Toe River Road)
  • TR 195 Roaring Fork Falls
  • TR 196 Lost Cove
  • FSR 472A Busick
  • FSR 5529 Roaring Fork
  • FSR 5520 Roaring Fork Ext.
  • FSR 5578 Bowlen's Creek
  • Carolina Hemlocks Campground

ALL CLOSED SITES:

• BUNCOMBE COUNTY-Includes Big Ivy, Coleman Boundary, Shope Creek, Douglas Falls, Stony Fork
  • TR 162 Douglas Falls
  • TR 166 Elk Pen
  • TR 165 Walker Creek
  • TR 170 Snowball (after Hawkbill Rock to the old fire site is closed. Snowball to Hawkbill Rock is open.)
  • TR 174 Little Andy
  • TR 173 Upper Corner Rock
  • TR 175 Perkins
  • TR 176 Bear Pen
  • TR 183 Staire Creek
  • FSR 63 Stoney Fork
  • FSR 63A Hawksbill Creek
  • FSR 74 Big lvy (Coleman Boundary)
  • FSR 231 Lower Staire
• HAYWOOD COUNTY-Includes Harmon Den
  • FSR 233 Haynes Road (Also Called Hurricane Creek)
  • FSR 3573 Hurricane Spur
  • FSR 288 Buzzard Roost Road- If the gates are closed, that portion of road is closed.
• MITCHELL COUNTY
  • Poplar Boat Launch
• YANCEY COUNTY-Includes South Toe, Mount Mitchell
  • TR 182 Green Knob
  • TR 186 Bald Knob Ridge
  • TR 190 Mt. Mitchell- partially closed from Commissary Ridge to Black Mountain Campground/TH
  • TR 190A Higgins Bald
  • TR 191 Buncombe Horse- Closed from the Buncombe Horse Trailhead near Colbert’s Creek to Maple Camp Bald and closed from the junction of Mt. Mitchell State Park’s Commissary Trail to the intersection with the Mountains to Sea Trail to the South Toe Trailhead on FSR 472 (South Toe River Road)
  • TR 192 Devil’s Den Nature
  • TR 197 Setrock
  • TR 200 South River Loop
  • TR 200A North River Loop
  • TR 201 S. Toe Fishing
  • TR 1006 Briar Bottom Bike
  • FSR 472 South Toe River
  • FSR 472F Black Mtn
  • FSR 5544 Briar Bottom
  • FSR 2074 Neals Creek
  • FSR 5511 Seven Mile Ridge
  • FSR 5500A Hunt Camp
  • Black Mountain Campground
  • Briar Bottom Campground
  • Ray Mine